China announces three-day mourning for quake victims

Source: China Daily/Xinhua | 05-18-2008 19:23

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China announced the three days starting Monday as national mourning days for the victims who died in a massive earthquake that struck southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12.

National flags are to fly at half-mast and all public amusements will be suspended for three days from Monday as China begins an official mourning period for victims of the May 12 earthquake.

The State Council, the Cabinet, on Sunday ordered a nationwide display of respect for the dead.

China's missions abroad were also ordered to observe the order, and condolence books are to be opened in the Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.

The public are asked to stand in silence for three minutes from 2:28 pm on Monday, the time the deadly quake hit, while automobiles, trains, and ships would sound their air sirens.

During the mourning days, the torch relay for the Beijing Olympic Games will be suspended to mourn the quake victims.

Beijing Olympic organizers said in a statement that the suspension starts Monday "to express our deep mourning to the victims of the earthquake."

Editor:Zhang Ning