A paramilitary policeman stands guard while the national flag flies at half-mast on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, April 21, 2010. The State Council, China's cabinet, announced a national day of mourning would be held on Wednesday for the quake victims. [Xinhua]

China on Wednesday mourned the victims of last week's earthquake by flying flags half-mast and suspending public entertainment.

Thousands of people gathered at Tian'anmen Square and watched the national flag hoisted to full height and then lowered to half-mast at about 5:33 AM Wednesday.

"We're here to convey our condolences to all the people affected by the quake. Chinese will surely come together to overcome the difficulties," said Wang Dan, a native of Beijing.

The National Center for the Performing Arts besides Tian'anmen Square canceled two performances originally planned for Wednesday night.

The World Expo 2010 in Shanghai suspended all entertainment performances but the venue remained open to visitors Wednesday.

Cinemas were also closed, despite economic losses.

The ticket hotlines of the Capital Cinema in downtown Beijing went unanswered on Wednesday morning, with a notice on its official website saying films would not be screened because of the national mourning.

Wednesday's newspapers, websites and forums' front pages have been turned to black and white, a tribute to the quake victims.

Tens of thousands of Chinese netizens posted messages of sympathy for the victims and survivors in the quake. Some wrote original poems, and some lit virtual candles and delivered virtual flowers to online mourning halls.

"Disasters can make our nation stronger. The Chinese people are united in face of difficulties. Yushu, be brave!" said a netizen called "Xingwen" on fetion.com.cn.

The quake that struck Yushu County in northwest China's Qinghai Province last week had left 2,064 dead and 175 people still missing as of Tuesday. The 7.1-magnitude quake had also left 12,135 injured, of whom 1,434 were in serious condition.

National flags across the country and at overseas embassies and consulates are to be lowered to half-mast Wednesday to show respect for the quake victims, the State Council ordered Tuesday.

Public recreational activities, such as movies, karaoke and online entertainment services like games and music, are to be suspended nationwide, according to an urgent circular issued by the Ministry of Culture on Tuesday.

Mourning ceremonies will also be held in Gyegu Town of Yushu, where the quake was felt strongest, and some other locations including Xining, capital of Qinghai. People there will pay a three-minute silent tribute starting at about 10:00 AM.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2010)