China's film authority has ordered a suspension on all cinema screenings during the official three-day national mourning for victims of the May 12 earthquake, which started on Monday.

The order was applicable to all cinemas, movie channels, film releasing and screening associations, and film producers, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said in a late Sunday notice.

Movie screening for both commercial and non-profit aims were suspended.

During the three-day mourning which ends at Wednesday midnight, all movie channels must air disaster-relief themed programs including news reports, live broadcasting, and charity advertisements, the administration said.

Movie producers must not hold any kind of film promotion activities, the notice read.

The State Council, the Cabinet, on Sunday ordered a three-day national mourning to display respect for the dead in the devastating earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Flags are to be kept at half-mast and all public amusements will be suspended for three days from Monday.

The death toll in the 8-magnitude earthquake rose to 34,073 as of Monday noon, according to the earthquake relief headquarters of the State Council.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)