Chinese President Hu Jintao called on the entire society to respect, care for and help the disabled people on Saturday, the International Day of Disabled Persons.

He also asked local governments to place emphasis on the disabled and to take actions to safeguard the rights of the disabled people.

He made the call when meeting with the delegates of the Chinese Art Ensemble of the Handicapped (CAEH), which gave a performance of a musical, "My Dream," at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday evening.

The ensemble moved both the Chinese and foreign audiences by its heartquaking performances with indomitable spirit, Hu said.

"I wish all the disabled in China to take you as role models to realize their values and create their bright lives," he said.

Hu Jintao, together with Vice President Zeng Qinghong, ambassadors of the United Nations and some countries to China, other Chinese officials and citizens, enjoyed the performance.

The CAEH has given performances in more than 40 countries around the world since its inception in 1987.

Source: Xinhua