On behalf of the IPC Governing Board and all members of the Paralympic family, President Philip Craven extended appreciation to Liu Qi, Deng Pufang and the staff of BOCOG for their contribution to the unveiling of the Paralympic mascot.

"The unveiling ceremony once again demonstrates the continuing success" of BOCOG in preparing for the Paralympic Games, said Craven, adding that he felt excited as he had a chance to preview the mascot.

As Vice-President Zeng Qinghong touched the device to unveil the mascot, sparks of fireworks in front of the stage rose high. The large image of Fu Niu Lele at the beacon tower of the Great Wall turned bright, corresponding with the giant Olympic logo at the Badaling section where the Olympic theme slogan of "One World One Dream" flashed. All lamps featuring the mascot on the slope lit up and the fireworks bust into a shower of glowing and eye-catching bits along the Badaling area.

On the screen of the stage, the image of Fu Niu Lele appeared along with the firework sparks, and the strong beats of theme music -- "Song of the Mascot" resounded through the skies. People who dress up like Fu Niu Lele, and children of different countries as well as disabled kids holding mascot toys poured onto the stage, where the joyful atmosphere reigned.

The Beijing Paralympic Games mascot is modeled after a lovely young cow, whose name is Fu Niu Lele. The mascot serves as an image ambassador of friendship that China offered to the Paralympic Games and the world.

Fu Niu Lele carries rich Chinese national style and cultural characteristics, embodies rich Olympic spirit, and contains the indomitable combatant spirit of Paralympians and their resolution to make self-reliance efforts. It gives expression to the harmonious co-existence between man and nature and fully conforms to Paralympians' character of striving to make progress and the Beijing Paralympic Games concepts of "Transcendence, Equality and Integration."

Following the ceremony, the audience viewed a show of animation cartoons depicting Fu Niu Lele. Sport and art stars as well as a number of disabled artists stepped on to the stage, joining the ranks of jubilant singers and dancers. Flowers, colored flags, mascots and their cartoon images variegated the scene of joy and jubilation.

After the unveiling of the mascot, licensed mascot products and stamps will go on sale nationwide in the following days.

The ceremony was attended by an audience of 1,000 plus, including leading officials of the relevant departments of CPC Central Committee and State Council, representatives of military troops in Beijing, concerned departments of Beijing municipal government, leading officials of democratic parties and foreign countries' diplomatic envoys.