On Sunday morning, the daily national flag raising ceremony at Tian'Anmen Square in Beijing took on special meaning. The flag was lowered to half-mast in respect of the mudslide's victims.

 

Thousands crowded into the square to remember those who lost their lives, and the survivors who are dealing with the aftermath.

The world's largest public square pays tribute to the victims of Zhouqu.

At dawn in the heart of Beijing, soldiers march across Chang'an Avenue to Tian'anmen Square.

With the national anthem playing in the background, the national flag was raised.

It was then lowered slowly to half-mast, to honor the victims of the mudslide tragedy.

Thousands stood in silence during the ceremony, to pay tribute to the more than 12-hundred people who lost their lives in the disaster.