Press Release: Chinese Officials’ Attack on U.S. Officials, Citizens

"The Chinese government, not content with persecuting the Falun Gong in China, has [urged] local U.S. officials to shun or even persecute them right here in America. The approach... tends to combine gross disinformation with scare tactics and, in some cases, slyly implied diplomatic and commercial pressure."

The special report takes an in-depth look at the Chinese agents’ interference and violence against those who practice or support Falun Gong on U.S. soil. [View Report ]

NEW YORK, October 17, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Centre) -- China’s Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, gives a former U.S. President a book authored by Chinese propagandists about Falun Gong, which distorts the teachings of the practice and calls for its universal condemnation.

Stan Bogosian, the former Mayor of Saratoga, California, receives a letter from the Chinese Consul-General in San Francisco pressuring the mayor to retract his support for local Falun Gong activities.

A mob of Chinese men -- echoing slogans propagated by the Chinese government -- attacks a group of people peacefully practicing the Falun Gong exercises in a public park in San Francisco.

Evan Mantyk, a 19-year-old junior at the University of Michigan, discovers his name on a "blacklist" maintained by the Chinese Communist Regime.

What’s going on here?

Across the United States, what began in July 1999 as a series of isolated incidents of intimidation, harassment and illegal activity on the part of Chinese officials and those working under their direction has been uncovered as a targeted campaign. It is a campaign against officials, citizens and residents who practice or support Falun Gong in the U.S. and other countries.

Under orders from Jiang Zemin to "intensify the campaign overseas," Chinese officials have exploited economic ties at the national, state and city levels, brought political pressure to bear, and used other illicit means in an attempt to slander Falun Gong and undermine support for the practice in the U.S.

The Falun Dafa Information Centre has issued an in-depth report detailing these illicit, and often illegal, activities. The report, entitled, "Freedom Under Attack" dissects the campaign against Americans who support or practice Falun Gong, and contains four sections:
”Freedom Under Attack” Special Report Contents:

1. The Role of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.S.


2. The "Blacklist" and Homeland Security


3. Systematic Efforts of Intimidating and Silencing U.S. Elected Officials


4. Intimidation and Violence Against U.S. Citizens and Residents

A team composed of Falun Dafa Information Centre researchers and writers gathered the information presented in this report. Some excerpts were taken from reports issued by Freedom House’s Centre for Religious Freedom, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and New York City’s Newsday.

To view the report on-line, visit: http://www.faluninfo.net/specialreports/freedomunderattack/

Congressional Resolution Condemns Illicit Action by Chinese on U.S. Soil

The United States Congress is expressing condemnation of these illicit activities by the Chinese agents on U.S. soil in Concurrent Resolution 447. Excerpt:

"Whereas ... local officials across the United States, including the mayors of several major cities, have been pressured by Chinese consular officials to recant statements of support for the Falun Gong spiritual group; ... the Government of the People's Republic of China should ... immediately stop interfering in the exercise of religious and political freedoms within the United States, such as the right to practice Falun Gong."

In addition the resolution calls upon the president to investigate and stop these acts of violence and interference.

The resolution was put forward by Congresswoman Woosley, and co-sponsored by Hilliard, Lee, and Lantos.

# # #

---

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of 503 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps without trial.

---

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE
American Contacts: Gail Rachlin 212-706-7026, Adam Montanaro 917-405-4507
English Contact: Peter Jauhal 44 (0) 7985 034 543
More European Contacts: http://www.falungonginfo.net/europe.htm
Email: [email protected]