National mourning starts for quake victims

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-19-2008 18:29

China began observing three days of national mourning on Monday. It's the first time ever that the nation has mourned its ordinary citizens in this way. The nation pauses now, to remember and to lament those who died in the deadly quake that struck Sichuan province, May 12th.

At the central government compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijing, President Hu Jintao offered a three-minute silent tribute to earthquake victims.

At the central government compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijing, President Hu Jintao offered a three-minute silent tribute to earthquake victims.

The ceremony commenced at 2:28 p.m.,the precise moment at which the deadly quake struck, one week ago. Sadly and solemnly, Hu stood with head bowed, beneath China's national flag.

The president was joined by colleagues in the country's top decision-making body, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Members in attendance included Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang.

Meanwhile across China, millions stood in silence. Air raid sirens, automobile, train and ship horns wailed in grief-stricken tribute.

In a gesture of respect, many, including TV anchors, chose to wear clothes in cold colors of white, blue and black. These symbolize sobriety and sadness in China.

Chinese bourses and commodities exchanges suspended trading for three minutes in remembrance of the dead.

National flags are flying at half-mast at home and at Chinese diplomatic missions abroad. The tribute will continue until Wednesday. Public recreational activities are halted during the mourning period.

Condolence books were opened at China's Foreign Ministry and at Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. They will remain open for the duration of the mourning period.

The Beijing Olympic torch relay is also suspended from Monday to Wednesday.

The three-minute remembrance is part of three-day national mourning for those who died in the 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

More than 34,000 people are confirmed dead. Estimates of the total number killed exceed 50,000.

Editor:Zhang Ning