The Chinese Hong Kong Paralympic delegation marched into the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games on Saturday night.

A total of 21 Hong Kong athletes will compete in eight sports - athletics, boccia, equestrian, rowing, powerlifting, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing - in the Paralympics.

The team was cheered in a flag presentation ceremony held on Aug. 26 by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang Yam Kuen.

Spearheaded by So Wa Wai, who holds the world record of men's 100m and 200m events in the cerebral palsied sixth class, world wheelchair fencing champions Yu Chui Yee and Chan Yui Chong, as well as top boccia player Kwok Hoi Ying, the squad is eyeing a better-to-best performance in Beijing.

In the last Paralympic Games held in Athens, Greece in 2004, the Hong Kong delegation brought back 11 gold, seven silver and one bronze medals. It was the best performance for the delegation in its past nine-time appearances in the Paralympics.

The delegation has traditional advantages in athletics, wheelchair fencing, table tennis and boccia.

However, Patrick Ng, chef de mission of the delegation, said as the world para-sports have developed quickly, the competition in Beijing will be tough.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)