2008年5月19日至21日为全国哀悼日。这是中华人民共和国成立以来,第一次为严重自然灾害造成重大伤亡举行的全国性哀悼活动,也是第一次为自然灾害中罹难同胞降半旗志哀,在国际社会引起强烈反响。外媒评价“这一破天荒的做法,尊重所有生命与逝者,让政权与国家更多地体现关怀与人道,是中共的一大突破,也是胡温‘以人为本’的又一具体体现”。 May 19-21, 2008: National Day of Mourning This is the first national mourning activity that has taken place since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and has caused serious casualties for grave natural disasters. It is also the first time that a half-mast has been flagged by compatriots killed in natural disasters and has aroused strong repercussions in the international community. Foreign media evaluation "This unprecedented way of respecting all life and those who died, so that the government and the state more reflect the care and humane, is a major breakthrough of the CPC, but also Hu Wen ’people-oriented’ another concrete manifestation of .