| China announces three-day mourning for quake victims, suspension of torch relay | ||||||||||||
| 2008/05/18 |
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BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Flags are to be kept 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. The Olympic torch relay will also be suspended from Monday to Wednesday, the Olympic organizing committee said. China's diplomatic 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 p.m. on Monday, while automobiles, trains, and ships would sound their air sirens. The order was issued in a brief circular that contained no further details.
TORCH RELAY SUSPENSION The Beijing Olympic torch relay Ningbo Organizing Committee also announced Sunday that the torch relay would be put off for three days until May 22. Lao Jinlong, vice president of the Ningbo Municipal Sports Bureau in east China's Zhejiang Province, said "All the public entertainment activities will be cancelled during the three days of mourning, including the torch relay." The Ningbo leg is the fourth leg of the torch relay in Zhejiang province. The death toll from the powerful earthquake rose to 32,477 nationwide as of 2 p.m. on Sunday, while the number of injured reached 220,109, according to the emergency response office under the State Council.
China quake death toll rises to 32,477 by 14:00 Sunday BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the powerful earthquake that jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province had risen to 32,477 nationwide as of 2 p.m. Sunday, while the number of injured reached 220,109, according to the emergency response office under the State Council. Full story Magnitude of SW China earthquake revised to 8.0 BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The China Seismological Bureau (CSB) Sunday revised the magnitude of southwest China earthquake from 7.8 to 8.0 on the Richter scale. Full story Chinese President expresses gratitudes for foreign aid in quake relief
CHENGDU, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday night expressed gratitude to foreign countries and people who have offered aid since a major earthquake struck the country. Full story President Hu renews call to save lives in remote villages
CHENGDU, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged rescue teams to reach remote villages that were battered by the strong earthquake in the southwestern Sichuan Province as soon as possible. Full story Chinese President encourages quake victims to overcome difficulties
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday went to Beichuan County of Mianyang City to visit people affected by the southwest China earthquake, encouraging them to be confident in overcoming hardships caused by the disaster. Full story
BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday underscored unremitting efforts in searching and rescuing people buried in debris in the earthquake in southwestern Sichuan Province. Full story
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