The Beijing Paralympic Games under the theme "One World – One dream" began in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing at 8 p.m. sharp on Saturday. During the Sept. 6-17 Games, a record 4,000-plus athletes from 147 countries and regions will compete in 472 events of 20 sports. Chinese President Hu Jintao declared open Beijing Paralympic Games

Organizers say more than a million tickets have been sold for the games. Top Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, and dozens of international dignitaries, including German President Horst Koehler, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and International Olympic Committee Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, were seated on the VIP stand in the stadium.