LOGOS magazine, nr.1st March 2005

China's president Hu Jintao replaced Jiang Zemin in September 2004, as chairman of the powerful military commission, and is hereby the most powerful man in China. There were also expectations that he would settle China's bad image with regard to human rights. But nothing has happened. Realizing that Hu Jintao either will not or cannot do anything positive for human rights in China, the Chinese newspaper Epoch Times, based in New York, published the Nine Commentaries of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The newspaper is independent of political or economic interests. And it's especially independent of the Chinese Government. When China is accused of a lack of human rights it is often stressed that it's more important to secure material welfare for the population [that uphold human rights].

When Jiang began the persecution in 1999, he expected Falun Gong to be eliminated in three months. However, Falun Gong practitioners would rather be tortured to death than let go of their faith. While some were frightened into [remaining at home to practice and study Falun Dafa], some were brave enough to begin the tough fight uphill against the propaganda machine. Slowly, Falun Gong regained its reputation. In certain places far from the capital, the exercises were practiced openly, but in the capital Beijing and in the Northeast of China the oppression is still ruthless.

The unique way in which Falun Gong spread was from mouth to mouth. Falun Gong has a loose managerial structure, and anyone can come and go as he pleases. Because of Falun Gong's effects in improving people's physical and mental health, the number of Falun Gong practitioners grew rapidly. Many studied Li Hongzhi's books and promoted Falun Gong at their own cost. In seven years, the number of Falun Gong students grew to over one hundred million. When they practiced in the mornings, Falun Gong practice music could be heard in almost every park in China.

When the number of people practicing Falun Gong exceeded the membership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), one could imagine the CCP's fear and jealousy. Actually, what Falun Gong gives the people is culture. It is inherited culture that the Chinese people lost long ago. Immediately after the CCP formed the government, it started to destroy temples and burn Holy Scriptures. They forced monks and nuns back to a secular life. In the 1960's, there was hardly any religious worship left in China. The Great Cultural Revolution was a religious and cultural catastrophe under the campaign "Casting Away the Four Olds" - i.e., old ideas, old culture, old customs and old habits.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, by April 2004 China had received 990 billion dollars in foreign investments. This enormous blood transfusion to the CCP's economy from foreign capital is eye-catching, but the investment rate hasn't brought democracy, freedom or human rights to the Chinese people. During his visit to China from 24th to 28th February 2004, Anders Fogh had a talk about human rights with Chinese officials, but behind closed doors. The Prime Minister has withheld information on the contents of these talks in the Danish Parliament. The Danish representative for Falun Gong, Lingnan Wu has, like hundreds of other representatives around the world, received several Chinese messages slandering Falun Gong on her telephone answering machine. The tape has been handed over to the police.

Falun Gong is an advanced cultivation and practice system founded by Li Hongzhi. Since its introduction in 1992, Falun Gong has attracted more than 100 million people worldwide. It is related to other Qigong techniques, but differs by aiming at higher awareness. Falun Gong consists of five sets of exercises. Three of them involve physical activity and movements, while in the other two one is required to hold postures for longer periods. In Falun Gong, "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" - the universe's "highest characteristic" - is emphasized. Those interested can join free of charge and instruction material can be downloaded for free on the Internet.

Source http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200503/25440.html

Posting date: 3/20/2005
Original article date: 3/20/2005
Category: News & Media Reports