UK Foreign Ministry raise Falun Gong issue with the new Chinese Ambassador

In recent months, many UK politicians have voiced strong disapproval of the Chinese Embassy's propaganda and its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in the UK.

The Chinese Embassy in London has circulated materials smearing Falun Gong to members of the UK parliament. However, this action has generated much annoyance. In July, 47 members of the UK parliament signed an Early Day Motion (number 1320), criticising the Chinese Embassy's propaganda against Falun Gong as well as the Embassy's arrogance in dealing with MPs on the issue of human rights of Falun Gong practitioners.

Earlier 62 UK MPs signed an Early Day Motion supporting a campaign for a 21 month old girl, who has been denied passport by the Chinese Embassy simply because her parents practise Falun Gong. As a result of their support the baby girl obtained her passport recently.

However, the Chinese Embassy continued to harass UK practitioners. Edinburgh’s Chinese consulate refused to extend the passport of Christina Ha, because she is a practitioner. The consulate even harassed her husband. A member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) wrote to the UK Foreign Office about Christina's plight. Foreign Office Minister Dr MacShane stated in his letter to the MSP: "We have made clear to the Chinese that, as the Foreign Affair Committee pointed out in its report on China in November 2000, their actions contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights". "The treatment of Falun Gong adherents feature prominently in our exchanges on human rights with the Chinese".