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Asia Para Games shows a more caring society

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-14 16:57

China's Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (L 2nd) poses for photos with Japanese swimmer Takuro Yamad (R 2nd), the first gold medalist of the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, Dec 13, 2010. [Photo by Yang Shizhong/China Daily]

GUANGZHOU - China should take the on-going Asian Para Games as an opportunity to create a more caring society, said the country's vice premier Monday while at the games.

Related readings:  Japanese swimmer claims first Para Games gold  Swimmer Cai wins 1st Para Games gold for China  China promises support for disabled people

"Caring for the disabled is the responsibility of both the government and the whole society," said Hui Liangyu, also director of the disabled working committee of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

Hui bestowed Japan's Takuro Yamad with the gold medal after the athlete finished first in the men's S9 400 freestyle final, claiming the first gold medal of the Asian Para Games.

During Hui's stay in the game's host city Guangzhou, the provincial capital of south China's Guangdong province, he visited a job training center for the mentally disabled and inspected the city's "barrier-free" facilities.

Hui said the government should "reinforce its efforts to set up social security and service systems for the disabled."

The Asian Para Games, a quadrennial continental sports event for the disabled, opened on Sunday and will conclude on Dec 19.