German Taz Newspaper: Letter to the editor

I read with interest your above referenced article. Many people from this area think that China is far away. Yet, they seek economic and political contacts with China. But, most of the time they have no idea what they are getting into. No one dares to bring up the subject of human rights during contacts with high-level political policy makers. China’s Communist Party (CCP) publicised the term “cult” in connection with Falun Gong, for the first time when they banned Falun Gong. Jiang Zemin, who bares sole responsibility for this decision, demanded, “Ruin them materially and physically.” With these words he initiated the unprecedented persecution. He uses the term cult to defame one of the most popular qigong schools in China at that time. The term “cult” actually connotes secession from the larger churches. Yet, qigong has nothing in common with churches, but is an ancient body and mind cultivation form.

People practise Falun Gong throughout the world. No other country has banned Falun Gong, just the opposite, everywhere where Falun Gong comes to the public it is recognised favourably and receives support. There are many examples of my contention. Anja Birgit Strecker of Dresden.

Originally published in German at: http://www.clearharmony.de/articles/200512/28140.html