On the morning of August the 6th, 2004, twelve young men and women ranging from twelve to twenty years old set off from Chung Cheng Memorial Hall for a fourteen-day bicycle tour. The focus of the trip was to call attention to the plight of those young Falun Gong practitioners in China who are suffering under the persecution. After a long journey of three hundred kilometres, through rain and shine, the bicycle tour arrived at their destination, Er-Rwang-Bee in Kenting, Pingtung. Their unswerving determination moved many people. The young people received warm support and positive feedback along the entire route. All of the national media carried positive reports about the bicycle tour.
"Rescue Persecuted Kids" is an international activity calling attention to the serious violation of children's human rights in China. In addition to Taiwan, teenagers in Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries have participated in this type of activity with great enthusiasm. It has exposed the cruel persecution of Chinese children by Chinese dictator and former President Jiang Zemin and his regime and has also brought attention to Falun Gong's great benefits that it brings to people of all ages, including children.
Mr. Zhang Yujun, representative of the Falun Dafa Association, said this activity was inspired by Fadu, a four-year-old Australian girl whose father was tortured to death in China for practising Falun Gong when she was only six months. Her mother, Ms. Dai Zhizheng, has taken Fadu to more than thirty countries to call for the end of the persecution.
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| Mr. Zhang Yujun, representative of the Falun Dafa Association | Waist Drum Team consisting of young Falun Gong practitioners | Media reporters |
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| Bicycle tour members are students between the ages of twelve and twenty | Bicycle tour members are students between the ages of twelve and twenty |
Visiting the Department of Culture and Department of Education in Yilan
The bicycle tour team visited the Department of Culture and the Department of Education on the afternoon of the 6th of August. Director Xiao Rixin and Head of the Volunteer League, Zhang Xiuyu, gave speeches and praised the young Falun Gong practitioners' courage to face difficulties. They also expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners who have been suffering under the past five years of cruel persecution.
Early in the morning on the 7th of August, the bicycle tour team went to Qinshui Park, where an International Toy Festival was being held. One of the themes at the festival was Children's Human Rights. The exhibition called for protection of the human rights of children, including the basic rights to education, survival and safety. The theme of the exhibition coincided with purpose of the bicycle tour.
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| Bicycle tour team at the Department of Culture in Yilan | Mr. Xiao gives a welcome speech |
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| Bicycle tour heads for Qinshui Park | It is dark by the time the team arrives in Danshui |
Visiting Wenchang High School and Hsien Ching-Hsi Junior High School
The bicycle tour arrived in Taoyuan County on the morning of the 9th of August. Mr. Huang the Deputy Governor of Taoyuan County, said that Falun Gong practitioners' unyielding spirit and compassion reminded him of Gandhi and Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. He thought that their rationality and peacefulness were like that of Gandhi. Falun Gong Practitioners have been spreading the principles of Falun Gong, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" despite the persecution. He believed that Compassion like what Sakyamuni taught has been embodied in hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Huang said he hoped the glory of Falun Gong would soon be brought back to his homeland of China. He wished the bicycle tour a great success.
The bicycle tour was warmly welcomed by the principals of Wenchang and Hsien Ching-Hsi Junior High School. Students lined up to greet the bicycle tour members. Ms. Li, principal of Wenchang High School, said no persecution should be tolerated. She likened Falun Gong practitioners to angels who spread the message of compassion to every corner of the world. Ms. Li admired the parents of these "little angels" on the bicycle tour, for supporting this extraordinary activity, while most parents only focus on improving their children's grades. She said it was worth consideration to establish a Falun Gong organisation in the school. Mr. Wang, principal of Hsien Ching-Hsi Junior High School, expressed his admiration for the noble spirit and idealism of Falun Gong practitioners. He encouraged those in the bicycle tour.
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| The bicycle tour arrives in Taoyuan County | Students of Minghui School present their poems |
Visiting Hsinghua University in Xinzhu
The bicycle tour team visited Hsinghua University in Xinzhu. Mr. Cheng, Vice President of the university, expressed his admiration and support for Falun Gong practitioners. He said this activity is exactly what is needed in society. The Director of Financial Management said, "Let me know if you need any donations. I will do my best to help." Falun Gong practitioners told him kindly that Falun Gong doesn't accept donations or gifts. All they want is to tell more people the true story of Falun Gong.
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| Falun Gong practitioners talk with Mr. Cheng, Vice President of Hsinghua University | Group picture with Minister of Education |
Taichung County Governor's Encouragement
When the bicycle tour arrived in Taichung County, the team stopped by the County Government. County Governor Mr. Huang Zhongsheng came out to encourage the young people of the team. He praised them for their great concern for those who are disadvantaged in the world. Their action called for Taiwanese people to pay attention to the world. Both the County Governor and the Vice-Governor gave high praise for the young Falun Gong practitioners' bravery and persistence. They wished them a successful trip.
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| Cultural Centre of Taichung County | County Governor receives the book, Zhuan Falun, from Falun Gong practitioners |
A Warm Reunion on Bagua Mountain
The bicycle tour arrived at Bagua Mountain in Changhua County on the 13th of August. Mr. Cheng Yangde of the Taiwan Solidarity Union said, "Freedom is so valuable! It costs many lives." County Councillor Mr. Qiu Jianfu said, "The County Council and Government strongly support this activity." Mr. Qiu participated in a previous activity called, "Rescue Our Persecuted Taiwanese Daughters-in-Law" last year. Ms. Zhang Qiong was one of the women from Changhua who they worked hard to rescue out of detention in China. She finally was able to return to Taiwan, and she graciously made an appearance with her two children. Surprised and excited, everyone welcomed them with warm applause. The young people in the tour and all the visitors felt so encouraged.
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| Mr. Cheng Yangde of the Taiwan Solidarity Union | Mr. Zhang Qiong and her two children | Young Falun Gong practitioners undeterred by the rain |
Bicycle Tour Receives Warm Support in Yunlin
The bicycle tour arrived at the Douliu Train Station in Yunlin County on the 14th of August. Mr. Zhang Shuowen gave a speech at the press conference. He said he would like to practice Falun Dafa someday. He hoped the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners would stop soon.
Mr. Wu Yanmen, Principal of Lunbei High School, distributed his written experience of practising Falun Gong to reporters. He recounted how his chest pain had gone away after he started practising Falun Gong. He had become a very healthy and relaxed person. The organiser of the Falun Gong Chorus in Yunlin is Principal Xu Qingxun of Gukeng Elementary School. The chorus leader is a freshman from Donghai University. He gave a moving speech at the press conference.
Bicycle tour in Douliu, Yunlin County
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| Bicycle tour in Douliu, Yunlin County | Exercise demonstration | Reporters take video footage of the bicycle tour. |
Introducing Falun Gong to People in Chiayi
On the 15th of August, the bicycle tour rode around the city of Chiayi and distributed leaflets to clarify the truth about Falun Gong. When people found out that these young people had ridden all the way from Taipei to rescue persecuted kids in China, they were filled with surprise and admiration.
Some tour members distributed leaflets in front of the Yuandong Department Store and other businesses in the afternoon. Others held a concert and Truth-clarification Photo Exhibit in the Cultural Centre.
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| Media interview |
Introducing Falun Gong and a Press Conference in Tainan
The journey under the burning sun on the eleventh day into the tour. They arrived in Tainan on the 16th of August.
At a press conference, Mayor Xu Tiancai of Tainan praised the young Falun Gong practitioners for what they were doing. He hadn't realised that so many kids in China were suffering inhuman treatment under the persecution. He was impressed with the young Falun Gong practitioners' effort despite the hardship of the bicycle journey, and with their kindness and sincerity. He believed their rescue would certainly succeed.
National Policy Adviser to the President, Mr. Su Yufu, said he admired Falun Gong practitioners very much. He indicated that the bicycle tour was a significant activity. These young people had shown great concern for others, despite the heat and hard work of the tour. He hoped that all kids throughout the world would be able to live happy lives.
Right after the press conference, the bicycle tour visited some popular tourist spots. They made the best use of their time to call public attention to the situation in China and to gather the force of justice in order to help stop the terror of the persecution.
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| Falun Gong practitioners give Tainan Mayor a banner from "Friends of Falun Gong" |
The Bicycle Tour Meets Tourists from Mainland China in Er-Rwang-Bee, Pingtung
The bicycle tour arrived in Pingtung on the 17th of August. The head of Linluo Village hosted these young practitioners and expressed support for Falun Gong on the part of the whole village.
Hengchun is a world-famous tourist spot. The bicycle tour team formed a long line while riding to Hengchun, and attracted much attention from tourists. When distributing leaflets under the lighthouse at Er-Rwang-Bee Park in the evening, they met two groups of tourists from Mainland China. The Falun Gong practitioners warmly greeted them.
Falun Gong practitioners collected signatures on paper lanterns in Kending in the evening. After learning the facts of the persecution, tourists signed their names on the lamps without hesitation, to express their best wishes for the persecuted kids in China. The lanterns were slowly raised to the music of "Ode to Lotus." Many people were in tears.
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| Head of Luolin Village and Falun Gong practitioners | Falun Gong practitioners in Er-Rwang-Bee Park |
Support from Officials in Kaohsiung
The bicycle tour arrived in Kaohsiung on the 19th of August. Falun Gong practitioners visited the County Government, Wufu High School and the Museum of Science and Technology, and received great support.
The bicycle tour ended with a party at the Museum of Science and Technology. The force of justice is growing quickly in all countries of the world. We believe the persecution of Falun Gong practitioner in China will end soon.
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| Media interview | Mr. Peng, City Councillor of Fengshan, meets the young Falun Gong practitioners | Mr. Cheng, Associate Director of the Museum of Science and Technology, signs his name in support of Falun Gong |
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