Italian national TV Rai tre and sports TV Rai Sport piu Sunday broadcast live the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics, saying the performances were marvelous.

After successfully hosting the 2008 summer Olympiad, Beijing has once again become the focus of the world as the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics unveiled, an anchor said.

Disabled athletes from around the world spent a splendid night in the Bird's Nest and the Beijing Paralympics will be as successful as the Beijing Olympics, the anchor noted.

With the hosting of the Beijing Paralympics, China would continue to showcase its image and bring more surprise and joy to the world, Gazzetta dello Sport's correspondent Pierangelo Molinaro wrote in an article posted on the newspaper's website.

A record 4,000-plus athletes from 147 countries and regions, 10 times the figure at the Games' debut in Rome 1960, attended the opening ceremony.

Vittoria Mancini, head of the Italy-China Friendship Association, said she was touched by the opening ceremony, in which marvelous performances were staged and unparalleled organizing work was revealed.

Mancini said the opening ceremony showcased China's respect and love for the disabled, and the performances were as wonderful as the just-concluded summer Olympics.

During the duration of the Beijing Paralympics, the Rai tre and Rai Sport piu will also open special columns respectively to cover the proceedings of the sports gathering.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2008)