Call it false modesty, but when China promised 'two Games with equal splendour', it forgot to mention that it would also deliver a double delight of sporting domination during the Olympics and Paralympics.
The flame that has glowed bright for China's athletes over the past seven weeks was doused for the final time last night. And the host nation not only basked in the glory of dazzling the world with four unforgettable opening and closing ceremonies, it topped both medal tables and impressed the sporting world.
China's Paralympian team finished with 89 golds - and 211 medals overall - to maintain the nation's dominance in the Paralympics as well as the Olympics. Britain was a distant second in the Paralympics with 42 golds and 102 medals overall, while the United States finished with 33 and 99, respectively.
Hong Kong's Paralympians were to leave Beijing for home today, after finishing in a respectable if slightly disappointing 26th place, with five golds and 30 medals over all. That was lower than their 17th-place finish in Athens four years ago, but it also reflected changes in the categories.
Hong Kong stars were in action during the final day, advancing yet again to a podium place in their city's newly prominent sport of fencing.
Hui Charn-hung won a silver medal in the men's individual sabre category B, losing 9-15 in the final to Frenchman Laurent Francois.
'We were at the same level but Laurent's attacks were more aggressive, and I didn't defend well. I heard the cheers for me and this encouraged me,' Hui said.