China's Ambassador to Mongolia, Xing Haiming, delivered a speech at the sports event for disabled athletes on May 28, 2018. 

Ulan Bator (People’s Daily) – The first annual Sports Festival for Children with Disabilities is underway in the Mongolian capital as part of an initiative to  strengthen bilateral ties as the two nations will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations next year. 

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia, Xing Haiming addressed a crowd of roughly 800 who had come to show their support for the disabled athletes.

Xing praised the long-standing relationship China and Mongolia have always had, pointing out how the two countries are “good neighbors, good friends, and good partners.” 2019 will mark the 70th anniversary of Sino-Mongolia diplomatic ties. 

Mongolia’s Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Tsedenbal Tsogzolmaa, was also on hand for the opening ceremony. During the week-long event, the disabled athletes will compete in sport disciplines such as basketball, indoor field hockey, table tennis and judo.

Last summer, Mongolia officially joined China’s Belt and Road initiative, and by 2020 it will open a specialized care facility dedicated to the disabled.

“In recent years, our two countries have been paying close attention to strengthening bilateral relations in the sports sector. This event is also an effort to strengthen bilateral relations in this regard,” said Xing.

Xing said the Mongolian Disabled Child Development Center, which was a gift from China, was almost complete. The sports facility will offer state-of-the-art rehabilitation services for disabled children and teenagers while proividing a place where competive sport can thrive.

The event was co-organized by the Physical Culture and Sports Authority of Mongolia, Mongolian National Paralympic Committee, Mongolian Committee of Deaf Sports, the Special Olympic Committee, and Grand China Sports Limited.

Xing stressed the importance of children and teenagers as they represent the future of continued friendship.

Caring for the disabled has always been a priority for both nations, and the sporting was representative of both nations combined dedication in providing a  better quality of life for the disabled. 

Mongolian Paralympic Association president, Chinese embassy official Li Yanjun, and Hou Dawei, president of Grand China Sports attended the opening ceremony.

As the event’s main sponsor, Grand China Sports President Hou Dawei spoke on behalf of his company and their efforts to assist with the development of  disabled care.Hou said that Chinese-funded institutions would spare no effort to support Mongolia’s growth and development.

It was Hou’s intention that the disabled athletes would turn the experience into another life stage as competitive sport offers challenges that build courage and while teaching the importance of never giving up.