The Peruvian government passed on Friday a supreme ordinance, setting May 19th as a national mourning day for Chinese earthquake victims.

According to the ordinance, signed by President Alan Garcia and his cabinet members, the Peruvian national flag will be raised half mast on May 19th in governmental, military and public buildings all over the country and its overseas missions.

The death toll from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in China's Sichuan Province rose to 22,069 nationwide as of 2:00 PM (0600 GMT) Friday, while the rescue headquarters feared the ultimate figure might top 50,000.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)