At the swimming stadium, Hu said he believed the athletes would fully demonstrate their abilities and bring some glory for the country. Chinese swimmers had performed well in previous events.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with wheelchair basketball players at the training center for Paralympic athletes in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Hu opened a game for wheelchair basketball players, and applauded the frequent baskets by the athletes. He urged players to put participation before winning and enjoy the fun of the Games.

Hu also visited a downtown community home for the disabled after he left the training center to find out about the community services provided for the ordinary handicapped population in the capital.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with a disabled man who is playing chess in Shichahai community home for the disabled in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

At the special home set in a courtyard, he chatted with the disabled who were painting, writing, surfing on the Internet, playing Chinese chess or receiving recovery exercises.

He also joined some mentally-challenged people who were learning to make pizzas and dumplings, and another 20 handicapped making handicrafts such as bracelets and cloth paintings.

"The country will take more measures and make more efforts to improve the living conditions to let all the handicapped have a happy life in their mother country," Hu pledged.