EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson phoned Song Zhe, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, from the Middle East to offer his condolences.

Mandelson commended Chinese President Hu Jintao's and Premier Wen Jiabao's presence in the earthquake-hit area to command rescue efforts, describing the Chinese government's reaction as quick and open.

China is observing from Monday through Wednesday three days of national mourning, during which entertainment will be halted and flags flown at half-mast on government buildings and Chinese missions abroad.

The Chinese mission to the EU and Belgium both held a three-minute silence at 08:28 a.m. (02:28 p.m.Beijing time), the exact time at which the earthquake struck Wenchuan county seven days ago.

Many diplomats from the EU and missions of other countries went to the Chinese embassy to Belgium to show solidarity with and express condolences to the Chinese people.

According to information reaching here from the Romanian capital Bucharest, Bogdan Olteanu, speaker of Romanian Chamber of Deputies, went to the Chinese embassy Monday and expressed condolences to the victims.

"I have come in a very sad moment for China and the Chinese people, a moment of sadness, a moment of solidarity," Olteanu said, adding, "I have come to present my condolences and compassion, and also on behalf of the Romanian Parliament and the Romanian people, our feelings of solidarity and friendship."

"I know huge efforts are made to save lives, huge efforts will be needed for reconstruction, but beyond all that there is the great loss. We have to stand by them in these difficult moments," he said.

According to Olteanu, solidarity signs from all countries will be shown, Romania included. "Romania has also experienced such catastrophes several times and we have also felt the solidarity of friendly countries. It is a very important gesture," Olteanu said.

Also Monday, ambassadors of Japan, India, Palestine, Belarus, South Korea, Syria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Austria, Egypt, Russia, Sudan, Algeria and Canada signed the condolence book in Bucharest.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2008)