The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games kicked off with a bang on Tuesday with an inclusive opening ceremony featuring disabled singers, dancers and other performers, as well as dignitaries. Chinese audiences reacted positively to the care and attention the organizers brought to the ceremony and the athletes. 

On Tuesday evening, representatives of the 162 teams entered the near-empty stadium carrying their flags, including a refugee team. Of the more than 4,400 athletes expected to compete, Team China has assembled a squad of 251. 

As teams entered the venue, every member's name scrolled across the circular electronic screen above the seats at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

Sign language interpreters were on hand during the live broadcast on China Central Television, which will continue during the Games from August 24 to September 5.

Those details have been praised by the audience who said that the ultimate goal of Paralympics is not medals and rankings, but courage.

On August 19, the International Paralympic Committee and other international organizations  launched the "WeThe15" global campaign, aimed at eliminating discrimination against the 15 percent of people worldwide living with a disability, some 1.2 billion people.  

The campaign video played at the opening ceremony. On August 19, the slogan "WeThe15" was projected onto 125 world landmarks such as the Tokyo Skytree, London Eye in the UK, the Supertree Grove at Singapore Gardens by the Bay, and the Colosseum in Rome. 

"This campaign will allow more people to learn the spirit of Paralympics and the life of the disabled," said Wang Yanzhang, Chinese track and field athlete, who is attending his third Paralympics.