BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A 55-minute pre-ceremony performance brought delightful air to the Chinese National Stadium before the Beijing Paralympic Games official opening ceremony kicked off here Saturday evening.

    The performance was staged in the stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, where both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games were held.

Andy Lau (Front R3) of China's Hong Kong delivers a speech ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium in Beijing, China, Sept. 6, 2008. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will open at 20:00 Beijing time here Saturday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie) Photo Gallery>>>

    A total of 277 disabled actors and actresses gave their wonderful performances to all the spectators, who waved their fluorescent sticks in hands.

    The performance began with a vigorous military music "Welcome Music" at 6:15 pm, performed by a 60-people-band who all suffered from amputations and seated on wheelchairs.

    The whole pre-ceremony performance included 11 programs, such as drum music "Ebullient Festival", male solo "Come On", Grand Chorus "The Blue Danube" and male-female duet and chorus "The Drinking Song."

Andy Lau (Center) of China's Hong Kong and other artists perform the song "Everyone is No.1" ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, Sept. 6, 2008. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will open at 20:00 Beijing time here Saturday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie) Photo Gallery>>>

    Andy Lau, a famous Chinese singer and actor, co-hosted the ceremony with other Chinese star hosts including Yang Lan, Pu Chunxin, Wu Dawei, along with a sign-language host, Si Qin Gao Wa.

    Lau also led the song "Every One is No. 1", with other blind and amputee artists who performed for the ceremony.

    The lights in the stadium began to change into different colors as the last song for the performance "Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing" echoed from the stage.

    More than 4,000 disabled athletes will compete for the Beijing Paralympic Games, scheduled from Sept. 6 to 17.

    As host Yang said, in the Games, "let's not talk about disabilities, but capabilities."