October 7, 2001

Brisbane is today hosting the largest Falun Gong event in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Thousands of supporters of the spiritual movement which advocates truth, compassion and forbearance, have traveled to Brisbane to protest the persecution of practitioners in China.

Organiser John Andress, says it is the first time the group has held its Asia-Pacific conference in Australia with people coming from all parts of the globe.

"It's always held this time of year anyway and we were taking advantage of the CHOGM [Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] activities and taking advantage of that anyway, but now CHOGM collapsed we're still taking advantage of the events that are happening," Mr Andress said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/state/qld/archive/metqld-7oct2001-3.htm