Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW
China
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Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)
soldiers transfer the injured victims to the safe areas in the quake-hit
Qingchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 17, 2008.
(Xinhua Photo)
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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.
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Rescuers search for survivors in debris in quake-hit Hanwang Town of Mianzhu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 17, 2008.
(Xinhua Photo)
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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
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Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday
night speaks at a meeting on rescue and relief work of the earthquake,
expressing gratitudes to foreign countries and people who have offered aid
since a major earthquake struck the country. (Xinhua Photo)
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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
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Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) talks
with with military officers when he inspects disaster relief work in the
quake-hit Xuankou Town of Wenchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan
Province, May 17, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
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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
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Chinese President Hu Jintao consoles
locals in a village in Beichuan county, May 16, 2008. He encouraged them
to be confident in overcoming hardships caused by the disaster.(Xinhua
Photo)
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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
Chinese Premier stresses all-out efforts to rescue quake
victims
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presides a
meeting of the general headquarters of quake relief under the State
Council Saturday afternoon. (Xinhua Photo)
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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
