Chinese President Hu Jintao speaks during the ceremony marking the first anniversary of May 12 Earthquake in Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2009. China held a commemorative service Tuesday afternoon at the epicenter of last year's massive earthquake that left more than 87,000 people dead or missing. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun) Photo Gallery>>>

    YINGXIU, Sichuan, May 12 (Xinhua) -- One year after a massive earthquake hit China's southwestern inland, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday mourned quake victims with a white chrysanthemum and a motivating speech calling for collective strength in face of extreme hardship.

    On 2:28 p.m. Tuesday, exactly one year after the devastating quake shattered many areas in Sichuan and neighboring provinces, President Hu, in dark suit and a blue-and-white stripped tie, paid his respect at a white marble memorial wall on which a written record was inscribed.

Chinese President Hu Jintao places a white chrysanthemum in front of a commemorative wall of the earthquake during the commemorative service to mark the first anniversary of May 12 Earthquake in Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    Beside the monument wall stands a giant granite clock, purposely made cracked, showing the exact time as the tremor occurred. The mourning venue was located among destroyed buildings, including one once belonged to the Xuankou Middle School in the 12,000-resident Yingxiu town, the epicenter of the earthquake. Two thirds of Yingxiu residents lost their lives. Among them 44 were students or teachers from the particular school.

A national flag-raising ceremony is held during the commemorative service to mark the first anniversary of May 12 Earthquake in Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on May 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Photo Gallery>>>

    The former school gate was decorated Tuesday with white and yellow silk flower, a symbol of grief in the Chinese culture.

    After solemn music played by a white uniform-clad military trumpeter, President Hu said, "The country mobilized the fastest, widest and strongest relief efforts when the whole Chinese nation was faced with the unprecedented challenge from the quake disaster."

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Sichuan hours after the quake hit the province to direct relief work.

    "Our quick response helped save lots of lives and minimize property losses incurred by the quake," Hu said.

    The most destructive quake in China's history, the 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan's Wenchuan county and affected some parts of the provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu on May 12, 2008, leaving more than 87,000 dead or missing and the property loss valued at, in official estimates, more than 800 billion yuan (117 billion U.S. dollars).

    Mentioning global aid to China's quake relief, Hu said, "On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I express, once again, heartfelt thanks to foreign leaders, governments, political parties, social institutions and embassies in China for their deep care and support to quake relief and reconstruction."

    He also thanked United Nations organizations and other international institutions and foreign friendly personages for their care and support.