China, having topped the medal tally in the previous five versions, aims to maintain its leading position at the 9th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC Games) from November 25 to December 1 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Held once every four years to coincide with the Asian Games, it is the biggest multi-sports and multi-disability event for disabled athletes in Asia and Oceania and the second largest such event after the Paralympic Games.

China declared on Monday that a 274-member delegation had been formed for the week-long Games. This will represent the largest ever Chinese delegation for the sporting event.

Around 4,000 athletes from 63 countries and regions will vie for 2,845 medals at stake at the Games. All the events will be held at various locations in Kuala Lumpur, Bangi, Shah Alam, Subang and Port Dickson.

The Games will feature 19 sports, among which the Chinese are to compete in 289 classes across 17 sports including athletics, swimming, weightlifting and judo.

Since 1984, the year China joined the FESPIC Games Federation, Chinese athletes have participated in the last six Games.

Deng Pufang, President of China Disabled Persons' Federation, urged Chinese athletes to win more gold medals and make solid preparation for the 2008 Beijing Paralymic Games.

At the last Games in Busan, South Korea in 2002, China won 191 gold, 90 silver and 50 bronze medals, topping the gold medal tally for the fifth consecutive time.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)