China is suspending the Olympic torch relay for three days as part of a national mourning for earthquake victims.

Beijing Olympic organizers said in a statement that the suspension starts Monday _ one week after the earthquake struck.

Aside from the relay, the government is ordering all flags be flown at half-staff and a halt to all public recreation activities.

The country will observe three minutes of silence Monday at 2:28 in the afternoon _ the time the quake hit, killing an estimated 50,000 people.