KUALA LUMPUR - The Chinese national flag was raised on Thursday for the 9th Far East and South Pacific Games (FESPIC) on the Merdeka Square of Kuala Lumpur during a welcoming ceremony.

A total of 47 countries and regions, a FESPIC Games record, have confirmed to send their paralympic athletes to the 9th FESPIC Games, the last FESPIC Games before the change to Asian Para Games to be held in 2010.

Wang Xinxian, chef de mission of the Chinese delegation, said: "The FESPIC Games embodies an atmosphere of harmony for all the disabled despite their various countries and nationalities. The Games provide a better environment that gives the disabled more dignity. We expect a society without any hurdles for the disabled."

China had dominated the past five FESPIC Games by taking the top spot on the final gold medal standings.

The next FESPIC Games will be renamed as Asian Para Games and be held in Guangzhou, China in 2010.

The week-long FESPIC Games concluded. In the closing ceremony, the new Asia Paralympic Committee flag came in and was handed over to host city Guangzhou. (The End)