3-day national mourning starts today

The State Council, the Cabinet, yesterday ordered flags to be flown at half-mast and all public entertainment suspended for three days as the country begins an official mourning period for victims of the earthquake.

Condolence books will be opened at the Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.

People are asked to stand in silence for three minutes from 2:28 pm today, while automobiles, trains, and ships will sound their horns or sirens.