In 1985, the president of the Special Olympics International Mr. Sargent Shiver paid a visit to China, since that day, Special Olympics started a movement in China, bringing hope and inspiration to people with intellectual disabilities, their families and everyone around them. During the past twenty years, under the immense support and the solicitude of the state leaders, the Special Olympic China has developed from the initial regional program of only 5,000 participants to a carnival of 500,000 patriots, by 2010, it will be 1 million, owning eight to ten national training centers, 30 provincial training bases and 100 training camps. The Special Olympic movement changed people's perception and started the gathering of a storm to spread and acceptance throughout China. It is surging a wave of excitement and humanity on the Chinese land.

In the year 2002, Shanghai was awarded the right to host the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games; China will become the first country in Asia to host this event.

By 2005, 5000 community based Special Olympics centers had been established around the country. The Chinese people had sensed the profound influence of human culture and humanity in China along with the economic growth.

In the year 2007, the Special Olympic World Games is coming to this most populous nation and this most watched city of Shanghai surging a new wave of excitement. The Special Olympics China, together with the 2007 (Shanghai) Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, Games Steering Committee, and the Games Executive Committee are now working overtime to raise fund for the most magnificent sports event in the history of this cosmopolitan city. They hope to create an event, for the 13 million disabled people and the entire 1.3 billion population of this great nation, broadcast around the world that shines a spotlight on the dignity of human life and the beauty of the human soul- where differences are appreciated and celebrated. The 19 million citizens and the 50,000 volunteers of this great metropolis are all anticipating, for that miraculous moment of the opening of the Game.