China Designate April 21 as National Day of Mourning for Qinghai Earthquake Victims

By Luke Leung
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Photo taken on April 19, 2010 shows a view of the quake-devastated Zhaxi Datong Village, in Gyegu Town, Yushu County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. Zhaxi Datong Village is the worst-hit area during the April 14 quake in Qinghai. It has been mostly razed to the ground and 120 of the total about 670 villagers here lost their lives. Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)

To grieve and mourn for victims of Qinghai earthquake, China’s state council has announced April 21 as the official day of national mourning, where all the flags in China and the Chinese embassies abroad were to be raised to half-mast, karaoke parlors were shut down, and sporting events were canceled.

In addition, the provincial government of Qinghai has also announced a three minute of silence that was implemented throughout the entire province, including cars, trains, ships, sirens, beginning from 10 am, Wednesday. And commemoration events were held in Xining and Yushu, among other areas.

Two years ago, China declared its first official day of national mourning for the victims of Sichuan earthquake to be from May 19th to 21st. In addition, all Chinese citizens were to silently mourn for three minutes from 2:28 pm to 2:31 pm on May 19.

At that time, the national Chinese Christian Council and Three Self Patriotic Movement Protestant Churches mourned silently while the CCC/TSPM President Rev. Gao Feng led them in prayers. Chinese Christians across the nation expressed their grief and commemoration through praying silently.

Some say that the willingness of the average citizen to observe this day of national mourning revealed their respect towards the value of life.

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