Fireworks illuminate the night sky during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2022. (YAN YAN / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) hailed the preparations for the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games as "first-class" on Saturday.

IPC chief brand and communications officer Craig Spence made the remarks during a press conference, adding that "these Games are really going to raise the bar in terms of how to organize a Paralympic Winter Games."

"I have one word to describe it [opening ceremony]: wow," Spence praised.

Numerous foreign media outlets and China observers have applauded the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, saying the event conveyed a message of confidence, friendship and hope

"It was amazing to be back in the National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, because in 2008, when (Chinese high jumper) Hou Bin lit the flame for the Summer Games, it marked the start of a new chapter for the Paralympic movement and a real growth curve for us," said Spence.

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"We sincerely hope that these Games do for the Winter Games what the 2008 Games did for the Summer Games. It was really emotional for us to be back in the stadium last night," he added.

Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), also spoke highly of the opening ceremony on Friday night.

"We don't yet have numbers (of viewers) - we will start having some perhaps from Monday - but there is no doubt in my mind that these are going to be by far the most-watched Paralympic Winter Games," Exarchos said.

"For sure, last night must have been the most-watched opening ceremony for a Paralympic Winter Games ever." 

Numerous foreign media outlets and China observers have applauded the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, saying the event conveyed a message of confidence, friendship and hope, and embodied the ideal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Having watched the opening with eagerness, Ronnie Lins, the director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, said he feels thankful that China presented a wonderful ceremony of the major sporting games once more.

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Lins believes that the Winter Paralympics will inspire more people with disabilities around the world to embrace sports and stay positive in the face of challenges in life.

Noting that the storytelling portion of the ceremony featured a mix of performers with and without disabilities, US broadcaster NPR commented that the themes of reconnection and inclusivity took center stage at the opening ceremony.

On its Twitter account, NBC Olympics introduced Shuey Rhon Rhon as "a Chinese lantern child and the glow emanating from their heart symbolizes the friendship, warmth, courage and perseverance of Para athletes."

Noting that Asia is having its best ever representation at the Paralympic Games, Gulf News reported that holding two Winter Paralympic Games in Asia in a row has "really helped to drive the growth of winter sports."