Millions of Chinese honor deceased on Tomb-Sweeping holiday

BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The first day of China's traditional Qingming holiday, or Tomb Sweeping Day, saw millions of Chinese visit burial sites to honor their deceased family members.

More than 3.9 million people followed the Chinese tradition and visited the grave sites of relatives on Saturday, according to a statement by an office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, quoting statistics collected at 150 major cemeteries nationwide.

This figure marked a 13.8-percent decrease from the same period last year, it said.

The authorities sent more than 23,000 workers to help ensure order at relevant areas across the country.

The office also reminded people to pay attention to the weather and traffic conditions during the holiday and advocated green ways to pay homage to the deceased.