The Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, other principal officials and bureau-level officials stood in silence at 2:28 p.m. for three minutes at Government Headquarters today to mourn for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

Many people in Macao also stood in silence at the exact time the deadly earthquake struck Sichuan a week ago, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.

After the silence, Mr Ho asked all government agencies to strictly observe the instruction of the Central Government that all public amusement and celebrations be suspended during these three days of national mourning.

He said he noticed that many civil servants have made donations to help the victims of the earthquake. He urged members of the Government to maintain their generosity to help speed up re-construction of the affected region.

Motor vehicles and marine vessels sounded their horns during the three minutes silence. The national and regional flags at public agencies, organisations and schools were flying at half-mast.

Members of the Executive Council also stood in silence to mourn for the victims before their meeting today.