Fireworks are displayed in the sky during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga) Photo Gallery>>>

    Zhang said he hoped the moment would be forever kept in people's mind when the thundering fireworks erupted in a climax of the closing ceremony.

    "It also signaled the curtain-down for the two Games and four ceremonies," he said.

    Zhang said it was the first time for the world to see the Chinese character-shaped fireworks.

    The fireworks burst into the shape of Chinese characters "Wei Lai", which means "future".

    "The delicately-designed fireworks show was another impressive part of the ceremony," he said.

    Beijing has set a high standard for future Games hosts, just as Athens did four years ago, Zhang noted.

    "The success of the Athens Games' opening ceremony had given us great pressure," Zhang admitted.