Now that China's triumphant Rio Paralympic team is back home, its time to collect the honors and accolades due to them. On Wednesday, Liu Yunshan, the senior leader of the Communist Party of China met the delegation at the great hall of the people here in Beijing. Liu called on the entire nation to learn from the athletes who competed in Brazil.

The athletes are honored at the Great Hall of the People by China's sports authority on September 21, 2016. Chinese Paralympians returned to home with the record-breaking achievements of 239 medal wins.[Photo: CRI]

Liu took time to meet and greet the members of the victorious team that earned more medals than any other Chinese Paralympic delegation in the history of the nation's participation in the Games. Liu offered his congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and associated staff that made up the team and made their achievement possible.

He then addressed the gathering and said the Paralympic delegation had demonstrated the Olympic spirit and the spirit of Chinese sports during the Games. Liu praised the athletes for promoting the Paralympic movement and for bringing glory to the country.

Following the conclusion of the meeting in the Great Hall of the People, China's Rio Paralympic team were given more awards as dozens of athletes received national honors for their performances at the Games. Zhang Haidi, the chairman of China's Disabled Person's Federation attended the ceremony and deliverd a speech in which she said that the athletes met the requirements of competing in a clean, polite and safe manner. The team also maintained China's image while furthering relationships with people from all over the world. China won 107 gold, 81 silver, and 51 bronze medals in the Rio Paralympics and topeed the medal table for the fourth consecutive Games.

"This year's competition is the best chance for me to prove myself.  I lost my opportunity four year ago, I am not at my peak this time, so I needed to challenge myself to get this gold medal. I think I proved myself and won," China table tennis player Ge Yang said.

"I think all the athletes here will feel happy and honored. This year's meeting is grand and motivates our young athletes for their future training, and will inspire them," China swimmer Xu Qing said.

"This result motivates me, as I was able to live up to people's expectations," China wheelchair fencer Rong Jing said.