Society

Flags to be lowered in HK to mourn victims in Zhouqu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-14 19:24

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government announced Saturday that all the government offices will lower flags on Sunday to mourn for the victims of serious mudslides in Zhouqu of Gansu province.

Related readings:  Residents mourn the deceased in mudslide-hit Zhouqu  Victims tell world of their plight in Zhouqu  Businesses in mudslide-hit Zhouqu resume  China speeding up rescue, relief work in Zhouqu

The national flag and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s regional flag, displayed at all the government offices, will be flown at half-mast on Sunday, said the government of the HKSAR in a statement, which also called on the public to express their feelings on Sunday in appropriate ways.

Sunday night's "A Symphony of Lights", a light show around the Victoria Harbor, will be suspended to pay tribute to the victims hit by massive mudslides on August 8, leaving at least 1,156 dead and 588 missing as of Friday afternoon.

The Hong Kong government has already approved a grant of about 2.44 million HK dollars ($313,900) from the disaster relief fund to provide emergency relief to the victims.

The government has also issued an application to donate another 50 million HK dollars, which was to be examined by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

To mourn the victims in Zhouqu, the State Council announced Saturday that national flags will fly at half-mast in the country and its embassies and consulates overseas on Sunday. (One US dollar is equivalent to 7.773 HK dollars)