South Africans on Saturday hailed the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics as being "spectacular, passionate and moving."

Hundreds of South Africans gathered outside the Sandton International Shopping Center in downtown Johannesburg to watch the live opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics from an outdoor big TV screen.

Jordan Berger, who lost his legs in a car accident in 2006, said that he was impressed by the actors' performances and the enthusiasm displayed by the Chinese people.

Inviting so many disabled actors to participate in the opening ceremony performances itself has shown that the Chinese government puts great emphasis on enhancing the welfare of its disabled citizens and their involvement in sports, he said.

"I was absolutely moved by the song by the blind singer Yang Haitao and the dance of those deaf girls, it is fantastic," said Rasheed Brian, who came from a nearby town.

"These disabled actors must have overcome tremendous difficulties before they came to the stage", he said, noting "they are really great and deserve every respect from all".

Mark Alexander, vice president of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, said the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics was very impressive and unforgettable.

"The Beijing Paralympics will undoubtedly be as successful as the just-concluded Beijing Olympics, if not more", he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2008)