Greatest Games end
The Paraly-mpics flame was extinguished over the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium after a lavish closing ceremony on Wednesday, ending a spectacular summer of sport in Beijing.
Countless red maple leaves symbolising respect for the athletes drifted from the stadium roof in the show to end the 12-day extravaganza, which followed the Olympic Games here.
"These are the greatest Paralympic Games ever," said International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven as he declared the Games closed.
China dominated the medals table here with 89 golds and 211 medals overall, enjoying particular success in athletics, swimming and table tennis.
Britain, which chased China hard in the early part of the Games, finished with 42 golds and 102 medals, ahead of the United States in third place with 36 golds and 99 medals.
"Team China has performed extremely well this time," China's chef de mission Wang Xinxian told reporters.
"The good result itself is the greatest encouragement for the athletes. Both the central and local governments will reward the excellent performance of our athletes."
China's performance mirrored its efforts at last month's Olympics, where the host nation finished top of the medals table and won similar praise from organisers for staging a well-run and spectacular event.
The Paralympic Games were lit up by Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, South Africa's Olympic swimmer Natalie du Toit and Australian swimmer Matthew Cowdrey, all of whom won five golds.
South Africa's sprint sensation Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius also grabbed his share of headlines with a track sprint treble that was completed on Tuesday with gold in the 400 metres.
The Games have been widely praised for their organisation and the huge crowds that turned out to watch about 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries compete.
Du Toit, due to receive a special achievement award in the packed stadium, hailed the Paralympics as "amazing," a sentiment echoed by her compatriot, Pistorius.
China has also sought to use the Paralympics to improve the plight of its 83 million disabled, and President Hu Jintao Wednesday pledged more efforts to promote their well-being.
"The Chinese government and people will build on the success of the Beijing Paralympic Games to carry forward the humanitarian spirit, and advance in an all-round way the well-being of people with a disability in China," he said, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
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