May 20, 2008, UN Headquarters, New York: At the UNSC meeting, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and all attending members observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Wenchuan Quake. by Hou Jun/Xinhua

May 19, Congreso in Lima, Peru: The national flag of Peru is hoisted at half-mast to mourn the victims of China’s Wenchuan Quake. On May 16, 2008, Peru’s government decreed that May 19 would be a national day of mourning, the first of its kind for victims in another country. by Ma Guoqiang/Xinhua

May 20, Chinese Embassy, Washington D.C.: US President George W. Bush signs a book of condolence for victims of China's earthquake, accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush and Zhou Wenzhong, China's Ambassador to the United States. by Zhang Yan/Xinhua

The immense loss and suffering caused by the May 12 Quake not only brought great sorrow to China, but also shocked the entire world. Peoples and governments in all corners of the globe have provided support to the disaster-stricken areas through various means, while expressing in diverse ways condolences to those who lost loved ones.
In respect for the victims of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake, the UN Security Council observed a minute of silence on May 20, 2008. At the beginning of a high-level debate on post-conflict peace-building, British Foreign Minister David Miliband, whose country that month held the council's presidency, on behalf of the Security Council, extended expressions of sympathy and condolences to the Chinese government and its people.
Governments of all countries expressed their condolences in various ways.
On May 20, US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited the Chinese embassy to mourn the victims of the catastrophic earthquake. "We extend our deepest sympathies, and pray for recovery and pray for the strength of those whose lives have been torn apart during this terrible tragedy," he told US and Chinese reporters. Both the president and his wife signed the book of condolence. "We stand with you during this tragic moment as you mourn the loss of so many of your loved ones and search for those still missing,” Bush wrote, “I admire the generosity of spirit and the strength of character shown by the Chinese people as you confront this natural disaster. Our country stands ready to assist in any manner that China deems helpful."
On May 19, the US Senate adopted a resolution to mourn the loss of lives and properties resulting from China’s earthquake.
Also on May 19, at the Chinese Embassy in Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy attended a ceremony mourning the victims.
On the afternoon of May 20, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown came to the Chinese Embassy to offer condolences to quake victims and observed one minute of silence. On behalf of the British people, Brown sent his condolences to the Chinese people.
On May 23, during his talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who visited China at the invitation of the Chinese government, again expressed sympathy and condolences to the Chinese government and people over the heavy casualties and property losses. On behalf of the Russian government, he invited some primary and middle school students from the disaster-stricken areas to Russia. President Hu, accompanied by President Medvedev, met with representatives of a Russian rescue team.
On May 27, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spoke with Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, who again extended his deepest sympathy and consolation to the Chinese government and people, expressing his country’s willingness to continue their full support. “We really feel the long and close friendship of the Russian people during this quake rescue move,” Premier Wen said.
There were voices from the world media that spoke highly of the performances of the Chinese government during the earthquake relief.
The Los Angeles Times described China’s national mourning day as a spiritual comfort and national support that a more humanized Chinese government has offered to its people.
Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) said that the decree of China’s national mourning day complied with the public will, and it declared to the world the great concern of the Chinese government for the lives of its people and the determination of all the people of one mind for disaster relief and reconstruction of the homeland.
Agence France Presse (AFP) wrote that the devastating Sichuan Quake has greatly inspired the patriotism of the 1.3 billion Chinese people; and hundreds of thousands of people have been striving to work as volunteers.
Other media, including the BBC, CNN, and major TV stations in India, to name only a few, broadcast the May 19 three-minute national mourning across China.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” as an English saying goes. The Chinese people will never forget what governments throughout the world have provided, spiritually and materially, in times of crisis.

May 19, Chinese Embassy, Paris: French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his words on the book of condolence as he attends the ceremony mourning victims of the earthquake. by Song Lidong/Xinhua	May 20, Chinese Embassy, London: Fu Ying, China's Ambassador to the UK, escorts British Prime Minister Gordon Brown through an exhibit of photos taken in the aftermath of the Quake. by Xie Xiudong/Xinhua