Paralympics to end today

The closing ceremony of the Paralympics will be held tonight at 8pm local time, with China topping the medals tally.

Jia Yong, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese delegation, said that China has made a “historic breakthrough” by finishing at the top of the medal tally.

Chinese officials declined to say how much Chinese Paralympic medalists will receive as a bonus, saying that the focus should instead be on establishing a long-term “encouragement system,” Xinhua reported.

China hoped that the Paralympics would help improve the plight of its 80 million disabled citizens, according to AFP. Beijing has improved accessibility standards by providing wheelchair access, easy-access taxis and elevators in subways.

The Paralympics attracted more than 4,000 athletes worldwide.