A ceremony to launch the 16th National Fitness Week for Persons with Disabilities, along with the main events of National Fitness Day for Persons with Disabilities, was held in Yantai, East China's Shandong Province, from August 8 to 9.
Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), attended the launching ceremony and announced the opening of the activities. Chang Zheng, vice-chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the CDPF, and Wang Guiying, vice-governor of Shandong province, delivered speeches.
During the event, Cheng interacted with participants from across the country. He experienced team sports like pickleball and dryland ice hockey, and met with role models and representatives of disability sports organizations from Hong Kong and Macao.
Cheng emphasized that promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening health management, and developing sports for those with disabilities were key targets of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for public health and the new national fitness initiative.
These efforts were also essential to improving services and enriching the cultural and spiritual lives of disabled people during the period, he added.
Cheng called on disabled persons' federations at all levels to respond to the rising expectations of disabled people by mobilizing local resources and public welfare forces to create more diverse and accessible fitness activities.
He encouraged disabled individuals to go outside and take part in sports. Moreover, they should make new friends and enjoy physical and mental rehabilitation, build social connections through inclusive activities, and share positive energy through mutual support.
At the launch ceremony, representatives from persons with disabilities proposed a national initiative for science-based fitness tailored to individuals with disabilities.
They also demonstrated sports such as ribbon gymnastics, softball, wheelchair dancing, group jump rope, and dragon dance, and participated in interactive sessions of Baduanjin qigong, a traditional Chinese meditative exercise, as well as dryland ice hockey.
During the event, special local fitness activities were held, including a barrier-free cultural walk and an inclusive fitness gathering on the beach.
Under its theme “Strengthening Sports Services for Persons with Disabilities, Enhancing Healthy Living”, the event was hosted by the CDPF.
Moreover, it was guided by the Mass Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport, and co-organized by the Shandong Disabled Persons' Federation, the Shandong Administration of Sport, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Yantai city government.
Over 500 participants attended, including representatives of disabled persons from provinces along the Yellow River and other regions. Other participants included outstanding role models, sports workers and representatives from Hong Kong and Macao disability sports organizations.
Also taking part were officials from the CDPF's Department of Sports and Department of International Liaison, the Mass Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport, and leaders of the Shandong provincial government, the Shandong Disabled Persons' Federation, the Shandong Administration of Sports, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Yantai city Party committee and government.