Australia: "Coalition to Investigate the Persecution" Investigator's Visa Application to China Rejected

Member of the first team of investigators from "The Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China" (CIPFG) applied for an entry visa to China on April 19th, 2006 at the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, Australia, but was rejected.

At about 10:00 a.m. (local time in Australia) on April 19th, 2006, member of the first team of investigators from the CIPFG, reporter from the Sound of Hope radio station Linda Xu went to the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney to submit application materials for an entry visa to China.

When Linda Xu, an Australian-passport holder, told of her identity as a reporter, the staff member in charge of reception claimed that reporters needed to have an invitation from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they were to enter China.

Linda Xu explained that as a reporter of the Sound of Hope radio station, she hoped to legally enter mainland China, together with other members of the team of investigators from the CIPFG, to conduct an independent investigation into forced labour camps, prisons, hospitals and other related facilities where Falun Gong practitioners are detained or are a concern to the international community. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang sent out invitation to the international community at the press conference of the Foreign Ministry on March 28th.

When the clerk heard that she wanted to enter China to investigate the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong, she immediately said, "Then you go to find Qin Gang yourself for the invitation!"

Linda Xu continued to explain, saying, "I'm a reporter, and should have the right to apply for a visa. You should accept my application materials."

The clerk repeated, "It's impossible, impossible..." while pushing away the materials Linda Xu submitted.

At this time, many people in the visa application hall turned their attention to their conversation. In the face of a crowd of people who looked puzzled, Linda Xu explained, "I'm a reporter, because the Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed to invite overseas reporters to come to mainland China to investigate the situation of concentration camps where Falun Gong practitioners have been detained, today, I come here to apply for a visa, preparing to join a team of investigators to go to China to investigate all forced labour camps, prisons and other related facilities where Falun Gong practitioners are illegally detained, but they are unreasonably rejecting my visa application..."

Someone in the consulate called the federal police who were not clear about the situation. They escorted Linda Xu and her companion outside the visa application hall.

After Linda Xu explained to the federal police her identity and purpose of applying for a visa, the police officers realised what was going on. They expressed, "You are a reporter! That is completely different from they (consulate staff) said."

On April 18th, one day prior to going to the Chinese Consulate, Linda Xu visited a Member of Parliament in Sydney, and explained about her plan to go to China to investigate the persecution of Falun Gong. The MP wished her luck and expressed that once Linda Xu successfully obtains the visa, the provincial parliament will issue a letter to express their support, and urge the Chinese authorities to guarantee the Australian citizens' security.

While Linda Xu went to apply for a visa, the CIPFG held a press conference in front of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, announcing to the public the principle and purpose of the CIPFG and that the first team of investigators has begun applying for visas to prepare to enter China.

Australia SDS radio station and other media interviewed spokesperson for the CIPFG Sherry Zhang.