Flags were lowered to half-mast and memorial ceremonies were conducted in Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide Wednesday, a national day of mourning in China for the victims of the Qinghai province earthquake.

Nearly 200 staff members of the Chinese embassy in the United States held a ceremony to mourn the 2,183 people killed in the April 14 earthquake in the northwestern Chinese province.

Sirens wailed at the Chinese embassy in Russia as the personnel there paid tribute to those killed in the earthquake that also left 84 people missing and about 12,135 injured.

At the Chinese embassy in Britain, workers stood in front of a black board to pay a silent three-minute tribute to the victims. White candles were lit and staff members offered flowers one by one. A Tibetan staff member presented a traditional Tibetan hada.

The subdued Chinese embassy in Germany paid silent tribute to the victims and also expressed their condolences.

More than 100 staff members and a group of overseas Chinese and representatives of Chinese companies conducted a ceremony at China's embassy in Japan.

The staff of the Chinese embassy in Australia went outside to a square near the compound to pay silent tribute to the victims.

At the Chinese embassy in South Africa, workers honored the earthquake victims with three minutes of mourning. National flags flew at half-mast at the Chinese embassy in Brazil while the staff also paid tribute to the victims.

Similar ceremonies were also held at China's permanent mission to the United Nations, the Chinese embassies in many other countries, including France and Canada, and the Chinese consulates in a number of cities, including Lagos and Sydney.