BRUSSELS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese community in Belgium has raised more than 17,000 euros to support the Belgium Special Olympics National Games, which will be open on Wednesday.

The money was raised by the Belgo-Chinese Trade Federation and the Federation of Chinese Women in Belgium at a charity auction dinner held on Monday evening in Belgian city of Tournai.

Under the notary's testimony, the donations will be paid directly to the committee in charge of the Games.

Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, thanked in his speech the Chinese living in Belgium for their active involvement in the local community and their commitment to the social responsibility of the Games.

Similarly, Zhang Chi, charge d'affaire at the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, thanked the overseas Chinese in Belgium for their "kind and generous hearts" during the bidding process.

The Special Olympics National Games is an international organization that offers various types of sports training and competitions for those with a intellectual disability that prevents them from engaging in normal social activities.

Founded in 1979, the games are held once each year in Belgium. The 36th edition will take place in Tournai and Mouscron, in the province of Hainaut, from Wednesday to Saturday.

More than 3,400 athletes and 1,200 coaches from 320 clubs across Belgium will participate in this major sporting event.