China mourns for victims

Flags flew at half-staff, public entertainment was cancelled and 1.3 billion people were asked to observe three minutes of silence as China began three days of mourning for the victims of the nation\'s massive earthquake.



Officials asked for drivers to honk the horns of cars, trains and ships and that air raid sirens be sounded.



This tribute comes exactly one week after the quake splintered thousands of buildings and killed an estimated 50,000 people.



A Chinese news portal said the government ordered all visitors to online entertainment and game pages to be redirected to Web sites dedicated to commemorating earthquake victims.



The Olympic torch relay, a potent symbol of national pride in the countdown to August\'s much anticipated Beijing games was also suspended during the mourning period.