Nation in grief as quake toll hits 32,476
China on Monday began a three-day national mourning for the tens of thousands of people killed in a powerful earthquake which struck the country's southwest on May 12.
At 4:58 am, the national flag at the Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing flew at half-mast after a complete flag-raising ceremony.
The State Council, the Cabinet, on Sunday ordered a nationwide display of respect for the dead.
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.
All public amusements will be suspended for three days from Monday.
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."
