China's securities and futures exchange markets will suspend trading temporarily on Monday afternoon in token of respect for the victims in the May 12 earthquake.

From 2:28 pm on Monday, the exact time when the powerful quake took place on May 12, both stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen and all commodity markets in Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Dalian will suspend trading for three minutes, according to an announcement issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission on Sunday night.

The China Financial Futures exchange will also pause its mock trading at the same time, it said.

The State Council, the Cabinet, on Sunday ordered a nationwide mourning for the dead from Monday to Wednesday, with flags to kept at half-mast and all public amusements suspended.

The public are asked to stand in silence for three minutes from 2:28 pm on Monday, while automobiles, trains, and ships would sound their air sirens.

The death toll from the earthquake rose to 32,476 nationwide as of 2 pm on Sunday, while the number of injured reached 220,109, according to the emergency response office under the State Council.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)