Chinese President Hu Jintao conveyed condolences to victims of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake and to those who sacrificed their lives during quake relief on the first anniversary of the earthquake Tuesday afternoon.

Chinese President Hu Jintao speaks during the ceremony marking the first anniversary of May 12 Earthquake in Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 12, 2009. China held a commemorative service Tuesday afternoon at the epicenter of last year's massive earthquake that left more than 87,000 people dead or missing.

Hu, dressed in a dark suit, made the remarks while addressing a commemorative ceremony to mourn the quake victims in the epicenter of last year's 8.0-magnitude earthquake that left more than 87,000 people dead or missing.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang also attended the ceremony.

After guards of honor placed ten floral baskets in front of a symbolic clock, Hu walked and stood with rapt attention in front of a floral basket dedicated by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to all victims during the earthquake one year ago.

All inside the venue for earthquake commemoration stood in silent tribute to victims at 2:28 p.m. (Beijing Time), the time when the massive earthquake took place one year ago.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2009)