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Saturday, April 04, 2020, 21:00
Xi leads national mourning for lives lost to COVID-19
By Xinhua
Saturday, April 04, 2020, 21:00 By Xinhua

Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, as well as other Party and state leaders, stand in silence during the national mourning for martyrs who died fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and compatriots who lost their lives in the outbreak, in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing, capital of China, at 10 am on April 4, 2020. (PANG XINGLEI/XINHUA)

BEIJING - Xi Jinping led other Chinese leaders on Saturday to attend national mourning for martyrs who died fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Chinese compatriots who lost their lives in the outbreak.

In commemoration of the martyrs and deceased compatriots, national flags flew at half-mast across the country and in all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and public recreational activities were suspended nationwide Saturday

Xi, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan as well as other Party and state leaders observed a three-minutes silence in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing, at 10 am.

ALSO READ: National flag flies at half-mast for COVID-19 victims

They had white flowers pinned to the chest and paid a silent tribute in front of a national flag, flying at half-mast.

A moment of silence was observed by members of the public across the country. Air raid sirens blared. Cars, trains and ships honked horns.

A black banner hung over the doorway of the hall, with white characters "deeply mourn for martyrs and compatriots who died in COVID-19 outbreak."   

A Chinese national flag flies at half-mast to mourn for martyrs who died in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease outbreak and compatriots died of the disease at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, April 4, 2020. (PENG ZIYANG / XINHUA)

In Beijing, flags were lowered to half-staff from Tian'anmen Square to the compounds of the central leadership organs of the Party, national legislature, central government, national political advisory body, military, top court and top procuratorate.   

A moment of silence was observed by the public across the country. Air raid sirens blared. Cars, trains and ships honked horns.   

In commemoration of the martyrs and deceased compatriots, national flags flew at half-mast across the country and in all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and public recreational activities were suspended nationwide Saturday.   

A police officer and drivers stop their cars to mourn coronavirus victims on Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge at 10 am on April 4, 2020. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

In Wuhan, the hardest-hit city in central China's Hubei province, various commemoration activities were held in public squares, hospitals, communities and other places.   

The COVID-19 outbreak is considered a major public health emergency that is the fastest spreading, most widely affecting and most difficult to contain since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.   

During the battle, a certain number of health professionals, cadres and staff members, as well as community workers, died on duty.   

People pay a silent tribute to martyrs who died in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and compatriots who died of the disease in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, April 4, 2020. (XIAO YIJIU/XINHUA)

A total of 81,639 confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported on the Chinese mainland, and 3,326 people had died of the disease, according to the National Health Commission Saturday. 

ALSO READ: China urges improved working conditions, care for medical staff

In Macao, the national flags and the flags of the Macao SAR were displayed at half-mast in all buildings of the SAR government, legislative and judicial bodies, and representative offices abroad. 

People pay a silent tribute to martyrs who died in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and compatriots who died of the disease in Feixi, east China's Anhui province, April 4, 2020. (LIU JUNXI/XINHUA)

Schools and public facilities also took part in the gesture of mourning. 

All public recreational activities and celebratory events in Macao were also suspended on Saturday. 

As of Saturday, Macao has reported 43 COVID-19 cases and the first 10 has recovered, with the rest of them being treated in hospital.


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