China aims to have one million intellectually disabled people become Special Olympic athletes nationwide, according to a Special Olympics forum hosted by Shanghai government at the headquarters of the United Nations on Friday New York time.

The one-day forum, together with a five-day photo exhibition, is to promote the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Shanghai.

"We hope to provide intellectually disabled people an opportunity to exhibit their courage and enthusiasm, show off their talent and potential," Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng told the forum via a videotaped speech.

The forum has a theme of "Special Olympics for Social Harmony."

"This is a theme of profound significance to China and the world, especially today," Wang Guangya, China's Ambassador to the UN, told the forum.

Wang said that harmony can pool together strength of all sides to accomplish great tasks at our times that is presented with unprecedented opportunities for development as well as challenges.

"I am convinced that the 2007 Shanghai Special Olympic Games will further promote the development of activities relating to Special Olympics both in China and in the world, and advance the cause of safeguarding the human rights of people with disabilities," he said.

The photo exhibition showcases photos of Special Olympics' development in China and Shanghai and drawings of mentally retarded people, representing their good wishes for life.

All the exhibited photos would be donated to the Special Olympics International by Shanghai government for possible future use in promoting the games.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan unveiled the photo exhibition with his wife and several Special Olympics athletes, including Qiao Meili from Shanghai.

"My name means beautiful. I have a beautiful life though I still have difficulties in my life. I hope to get your support to us," she said.

Shanghai beat over 13 other applicants in 2002 and won the bid to host the 12th Special Olympics summer games, scheduled on October 2 to 11 next year, marking the first time that World Summer Games for Special Olympics would be held in Asia. It's also the first time that the games would be hosted by a developing country.

About 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries and regions will come to Shanghai to compete in 21 sports such as basketball, dragon boat racing and badminton.