Overseas, China's diplomatic missions, as well as peace-keeping troops and medical teams also observed three minutes of silence to pay their respect to the earthquake victims.

In the Chinese embassy in India, diplomats decorated a mourning room with hand-made paper flowers. Despite heavy rain, they stood still in front of the Chinese national flag.

Ambassador Zhang Yan.

"The devastating earthquake caused the Chinese people heavy losses. But I believe we can overcome the natural disaster and rebuild our homes. We will continue our support for the relief and rescue operations. In the meantime, we will work harder to reward what our compatriots are doing at home."

In Geneva, the annual World Health Assembly opened on Monday with one-minute mourning for disaster victims in China and Myanmar.

Chinese Minister of Health Chen Zhu told delegates that the rescue and relief work is underway in an intense, orderly and efficient way. He also expressed the government's gratitude for the support of the international community.

"Chinese people will not bow in front of calamities. As long as we are united and keep close cooperation with the international community, we can put forward the full development of the healthcare service."