Every human being deserves the right to succeed and achieve in life, no matter what their circumstances might be, which is why the Paralympics are an important symbol of equality, justice, hope, and humanitarianism. They demonstrate that every human being can have a chance to prevail and win, and that determination, faith, and hard work can overcome adversity against the odds. 

On March 4, the 2022 Winter Paralympics began in Beijing, following the end of the Winter Olympics. It will be the biggest Winter Paralympics ever hosted, with a record 49 countries and 650 athletes participating in 78 events across a variety of six sports. 

In celebration of the event, China recently released a White Paper titled "China's Parasports: Progress and the Protection of Rights," setting out the country's progress in the discipline of parasports and what it means for China to improve its commitment to such events. The paper argues that progress on disability rights and parasports is a key aspect of China's socialist modernization and development, noting that people with disabilities have been granted equal political status, enjoying the same lawful rights and obligations as other citizens. Welfare factories, welfare institutions, special education schools, specialized social organizations, and a positive social environment have guaranteed the basic rights and interests of people with disabilities and improved their lives.

Progress in parasports also marks a vivid reflection of the development and progress of human rights in China, the white paper says, adding that parasports promote the common values of humanity, advance exchanges, understanding, and friendship among peoples around the world. They also contribute China's wisdom to building a fair, just, reasonable, and inclusive global governance order on human rights, and to maintaining world peace and development, meaning the success of the Games has both domestic and international implications. It is a service to China's own people with disabilities and Paralympians, as well as an important aspect of engagement on the same matter with nations all around the world.

China's commitment and vision for Paralympic sports are symbolized through its official Paralympic mascot, Shuey Rhon Rhon, a traditional Chinese lantern that embodies hope, happiness, peace and light. These together reflect the values of the Paralympics and how it provides a positive vision for the togetherness, progress, and unity of humanity as a whole, and how nobody should be excluded and kept in the dark, forgotten and incapable. As the event approached, the mascot quickly became popular and sold out, just as merchandise of the Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen had. 

Therefore, despite everything else going on in the world right now, the Beijing Paralympics will be an event of hope and justice, reminding us that every person, through the sheer determination of mind and optimism, has the power to triumph over adversity in their lives and never be ranked below or inferior to anyone else. It is a representation of how our world ought to be.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit: 

http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

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