Photo:VCG

The opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Para Games will kick off in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday, with the final full rehearsal completed on Saturday.

Themed "Hearts Meet, Dreams Shine," the ceremony will take place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, or "Big Lotus," on Sunday evening. The 85-minute event revolves around the image of osmanthus, the city's official flower.

The entire ceremony, including the warm-up session, artistic performances and lighting of the cauldron with all the visual technology were tested in full during rehearsal on Saturday.

Sha Xiaolan, general director of the opening ceremony of Hangzhou Asian Para Games, told the Global Times that in the same vein of the Asian Games opening ceremony, the Para Games opening ceremony will continue to showcase China's cultural confidence with digital technology, demonstrating the spirit of "optimism, harmony, perseverance and sharing."

"Image, music and love are the three key words of the opening ceremony. The image of golden osmanthus will run throughout the ceremony to welcome athletes from across Asia and extend our best wishes to them," said Sha.

The song "Our Asia," which was used for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, will be played again to accompany the entrance of athletes into the stadium.

"Using the same song is to express the notion of the integration of the disabled and able-bodied," said Sha. The beloved song was penned 33 years ago for the 11th Asian Games in Beijing.

Regarding "love," the Asian Para Games mascot Feifei and the last torch bearer will light the cauldron with the help of an intelligent bionic hand. Technology is used to make up for physical deficiencies and strengthen people's belief in pursuing their dreams. The flame of hope and love will be ignited, bringing the atmosphere of the whole venue to the climax, Sha noted.

From the athletes' parade, artistic performances to the lighting of the main torch, people with disabilities were invited to participate in the ceremony to demonstrate their indomitable spirit and positive mentality towards life.

A sign language formation consisting of performers with impairments will interpret the National Anthem, My Motherland and other songs which will use sign language.

On Saturday, wheelchair basketball player Huang Xiaolian and wheelchair fencer Sun Gang were named as the flag bearers for the Chinese delegation.

Meanwhile, the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) Executive Board met in Hangzhou on Friday.

APC President Majid Rashed expressed his hope that he will witness one of the best-ever Games over the next few days.

"The organizing committee has done a fantastic job in creating such amazing venues with all accessible facilities. I am sure everyone is going to have a great time in the next few days," said Rashed.