All ministries, committees and administrative departments in China are also flying the national flag at half-mast, starting on Monday.

After a ceremony this morning, the national flag in front of the Foreign Ministry building is flying at half-mast to mourn victims of the quake. Similar ceremonies were also held at other institutions including the People's Bank of China and China's Customs Office.

Under the country's National Flag Law, the flag can be flown at half-mast in the event of national mourning for severe disasters.

(CCTV May 19, 2008)