Better future

Last year, the State Council published a five-year plan－from 2021 to 2025－to promote the interests and development of people with disabilities, with the main focus on improving public and cultural services and creating an inclusive social environment for such people to thrive.

Some of the biggest issues they face lie in employment and career progression, access to rehabilitation services, and lack of rehabilitation professionals, Zhang said.

This year, the China Disabled Persons' Federation will launch a three-year program to support people with disabilities in finding jobs or starting their own businesses. It is also building a national-level university of rehabilitation sciences in Qingdao, Shandong province, as an incubator for top rehabilitation professionals.

By hosting the Paralympic Winter Games and with continuous support for people with disabilities, she said, our society will learn more about the Paralympic virtues－courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

"We hope the general public will respect and care more about people with disabilities, which is conducive to building a friendly and inclusive social environment and promoting social progress."