Opening ceremony of 2022 Winter Paralympics begins in Beijing

The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games got underway at the National Stadium here on Friday night.

The opening ceremony started at 8 p.m. local time, with its program divided into 12 segments, including the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron.

Themed "Inspiration," the countdown performance had two parts - Looking back at the history of the Paralympic Games and the Inspiration of the Paralympic Spirit.

The Beijing Winter Paralympics will run through March 13. 

Photo taken on March 4, 2022 shows the countdown performance ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China.

The National Flag of the People's Republic of China is carried during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2022.

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