China are going from strength to strength as they gear up for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
They proved this yesterday during the second day of the World Cup series at the Regal Riverside Hotel in Sha Tin, where their fencers shared the gold medal tally with their hosts.
Hong Kong won gold in both the women's epee (category A and B) thanks to Yu Chui-yee and Chan Yui-chong respectively, while the mainlanders took both in the men's epee. Zhou Jun defeated compatriot Zang Weiwei 15-11 in the A final while Hu Daoliang overcame Hong Kong's Hui Charn-hong 15-9 in category B.
China also dominated the men's sabre category A as they won all three medals on the opening day.
'The sport is still in a developing stage, but of course we are looking forward to hosting the 2008 Paralympic Games,' said China team official Zhuang Xingdi. 'The national team was formally established in 2002 and we have been given necessary resources to work out a plan leading to the 2008 Games.'
Zhuang said their disabled fencers were now training at six centres across the country and most of them were on a full-time basis. Although the official did not disclose the amount, it was reported that a sum of RMB100 million had been invested in developing disabled sports in China.