Government representatives from a number of countries attended mourning ceremonies at local Chinese embassies.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves words on the condolence book as he attends the ceremony mounrning for victims in the earthquake happened in southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Chinese Embassy to France, Paris, France, May 19, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited the Chinese embassy in Paris to pay condolences to the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake. He has also extended sympathy to the Chinese people.

Sarkozy expressed support for the Chinese people who have endured the ordeal. He offered to send expert teams to China for quake relief.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, a Russian vice foreign minister visited the Chinese embassy to express his country's sorrow for the huge human and property losses caused by earthquake. The official pledged continued humanitarian assistance for quake relief in China.

(CCTV May 20, 2008)