Following is the full text of the speech delivered by Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on Wednesday night:

Closing Speech for the XIII Paralympic Games

17 September 2008

Zun Jing de Hu Jintao zhu xi ji Fu Ren

(Respected President Hu Jintao and Mrs. Hu)

Athletes, Officials, Distinguished Guests

Paralympic Sports fans from all over the world

Wan Shang hao Huan Ying Ni men

(Good Evening, Welcome to all of you)

2,500 years ago Confucius said

"You Peng Zi Yuan Fang Lai, Bu Yi Yue Hu? "

"That friends should come to one for afar, is that not after all delightful?"

On behalf of all members of the Paralympic Family may I take the liberty to paraphrase the Good man's great words.

"It is equally delightful to come from afar and make new friends here in China".

We have to give a big thank you to

BOCOG and its President, Liu QI,

The athletes,

The fantastic volunteers,

The officials and staff of the IPC, the IFs and NPCs

The 5,500 media who have covered the Games and, in particular Manolo Romero and his team for the television images,

The sponsors and last but certainly not least you, the inspirational spectators.

What a great Paralympic Games this has been!

An ethereal Opening Ceremony,

Staggering athletic performances in perfect stadia,

The best-ever Paralympic Villages,

Amazing high definition television coverage,

A never ending and self generating supply of passion and emotion,

Superb organisation

Wonderful volunteers

Millions of new Paralympic sports aficionados both here in China and around the world

These are the greatest Paralympic Games ever.

It is all about spirit. The Paralympic spirit that is ever bright in our movement, found here in China, a kindred spirit. It reached out to you, you embraced it and it is now cherished in your hearts. Now these spirits are united,

"One World"

"One Dream"

and "One People" has become a reality.

All athletes, coaches and officials should take the unique sporting spirit from these Games to the four corners of this planet, Earth. There, encourage new athletes, make new friends and inspire them to light the flame in their hearts.

Finally the time has come for me to declare the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closed.

I call upon Paralympic athletes from all over the world to meet in London in four years time when once again you will inspire and excite the world with your sporting excellence.

Xie Xie Xiang Gang, (Thank you Hong Kong),

Xie Xie Qingdao, (Thank you Qingdao),

Xie Xie Beijing, (Thank you Beijing),

Xie Xie Zhong Guo. (Thank you China).

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2008)