On October 2, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Chairman Timothy Shriver of Special Olympics International in Xi Jiao Guesthouse, Shanghai, who came to attend the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Both sides conducted cordial and friendly talks.

President Hu said that the Special Olympic Games hails the spirit of making brave attempts and aspiring to win, advocates the concept of equality and integration, encourages the people with intellectual disabilities to challenge themselves and realize the value of their lives, and helps them to share with others the achievements of human civilization. Since its foundation in 1968, the Special Olympic Games, with the joint efforts of all sides, has become a comprehensive and large-scale sports event for the people with intellectual disabilities all over the world.

Hu said that that it is the first time that the Special Olympics Summer Games was held in a developing country, in Asia and in China. Hu said it is also the first time that China holds an all-round international sports event for the people with intellectual disabilities. It will greatly promote the development of China's Special Olympics, and contribute to the development of the international Special Olympics cause. We hope that the Games would help the world better understand China, and strengthen the friendship between the people of China and the rest of the world. I believe that the Shanghai Games would certainly achieve full success with joint efforts of various parties.

Hu pointed out that China has 83 million disabled people, among whom there are about 9.84 million intellectually disabled. The Chinese government firmly upholds the concept of putting people first, always attaches great importance to the development of the causes of the disabled including the intellectually disabled, and is committed to maintaining their rights and interests, and helping them get equal involvement in the social life. China started to send athletes to the Special Olympics Summer and Winter Games from 1987. The country has witnessed the fastest development of the Special Olympics in the world, with over 50,000 athletes attending the event by 2005. Meanwhile, China has taken a series of important measures to protect the rights and interests of the disabled people. China signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this year. We will continue to take care of and support the disabled, carry forward the humanitarian spirit and take the opportunity of the Shanghai Special Olympics to speed up the cause for the disabled and help them get more integrated into the society, participate in the development process and share the fruits of economic and social progress. Let the sunshine of care and love illuminate the heart of every disabled people.

Shriver, on behalf of Special Olympics International, expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by China and the Chinese people in spreading the spirit of the Special Olympics and promoting its development. He said that President Hu had called upon the athletes with intellectual disabilities ahead of the Shanghai Games, displaying the Chinese government's efforts to promote the cause for the disabled and the spirit of integration. It not only offers support to the international Special Olympics but also sets an example for the whole world. He was convinced that the Shanghai Special Olympics Summer Games would be a spectacular and successful event.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu of the State Council and State Councilor Chen Zhili were also present at the meeting.