On May 19, 2008 (April 15, 2008 in the lunar calendar), the State Council decided to celebrate the National Day of Mourning from May 19 to 21. As of 14:00 on the 18th, the Wenchuan earthquake had killed 32477 people and injured 220109 people. In order to express the deep condolences of the people of all ethnic groups across the country to the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, the State Council decided that May 19 to 21, 2008 will be the national day of mourning. During this period, flags across the country and foreign agencies were flown at half-mast to express condolences, public entertainment activities were stopped, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and my country's embassies and consulates abroad set up condolence books. Starting from 14:28 on May 19, people across the country observed a three-minute silence, when cars, trains and ships whistled and air defense sirens sounded. This is the first time since the implementation of the National Flag Law in 1990, in accordance with Article 14 of the law,"When an unfortunate incident with particularly heavy casualties occurs or a serious natural disaster causes heavy casualties, the flag can be flown at half-staff to express condolences." The terms of national mourning were carried out. This is the first time in the history of China that in accordance with the law, the highest administrative organ of the country issued a decree to express condolences to civilians killed in a natural disaster. In a sense, this is a national funeral for all the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake. This is the deepest condolences a country can pay to the victims at this moment.