China will have one million mentally handicapped people participating in sport by 2010, according to a Special Olympics forum hosted by the Shanghai government at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday.

The forum, together with a five-day photo exhibition, is to promote next year's Special Olympics in Shanghai.

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

There are about 13 million mentally handicapped people living in China.

Wang Guangya, China's ambassador to the UN, said the Games' theme of a "Special Olympics for Social Harmony" was of "profound significance to China and the world, especially today."

Wang said harmony could help pool the strength of all sides to accomplish great tasks in a time that was filled 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 the Special Olympics both in China and in the world, and advance the cause of safeguarding the human rights of persons with disabilities," he said.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan unveiled the photo exhibition with the help of several Special Olympic athletes, including Qiao Meili from Shanghai.

"My name means beautiful. I have a beautiful life though I still have difficulties in my life," Qiao said.

The photos, depicting the development of the Special Olympics in China and Shanghai, will be donated to the Special Olympics international committee after the exhibition.

Shanghai beat more than 13 other applicants in 2002 to host the 12th Special Olympics, scheduled for October 2 to 11 next year.

It will be the first time the Special Olympics is held in Asia and the first to 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, including basketball, dragon boat racing and badminton.