Australia: 500km Bicycle Journey Receives Support from the Media and Politicians

By a Dafa practitioner in Australia

Falun Gong practitioner Li Qizhong from Sydney, Australia finished his bike journey on December 20 2002. The journey covered over 500 kilometres, during which he visited offices of five Federal MPs and the local government offices, and was interviewed by the local media: three newspapers, three radio stations and one TV station. During the journey he also collected signatures, to appeal to the Australian government to pass the Christmas present from him to his fiancée Li Ying who is illegally detained in China. The signatures were later sent to the China Section's office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DEFAT) in Canberra.

Li Ying is a Falun Gong practitioner in Mainland China who was illegally detained in a labour camp for distributing materials clarifying the truth of Falun Gong to oppose Jiang Zemin's propaganda. Upon learning that the loved ones of their own citizens are being detained and persecuted in China for practising Falun Gong, MPs and their staff, government officials as well as the media and the general public were shocked, and they offered to do their best, either by writing to the DEFAT and the Chinese Embassy or making phone calls, to help rescue Li Ying and pass the Christmas present. For example, only 20 minutes after Li left the office of a Federal MP in Goober, he received a phone call from the secretary, saying, "We have read your document. It is a very urgent and special case. There are only a few days left before Christmas. It is too late to write letters. I will call the DEFAT and the Immigration Department and do our very best to help you."

Wollongong Win TV (local station of Channel 9) broadcast the interview with Li on their 6 o'clock news program on the same day of the interview, which received tremendous response from the general public. Li was having dinner at a McDonald's when the program went on the air, and a number of people walked up to him and shook his hand, telling him that they had just learnt about his story on TV and wishing him all the success. There were also kindhearted people who offered him money to help during his bicycle journey, but Li declined their offer and thanked them for their kindness. Many drivers passing him also showed their support and encouragement by honking their cars or showing Victory sign.

Win TV interviewing Li

At the China Section's office of DEFAT in Canberra, Mr. Warran King received Li. Mr. King expressed the view that the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese government is wrong, and the Australian government is seeking effective ways to rescue Li's fiancée. As for the Christmas present, their office would contact relevant departments in Shanghai where the labour camp is located and make an enquiry on his behalf, to show their concern over the case.

Li also planned to visit the offices of another five Federal MPs in nearby areas, to tell them through his story of the "Christmas present" the truth of the persecution of tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who are illegally detained in prisons and labour camps in China, including the persecution of the relatives of Australian citizens. Li appeals to all Federal MPs and government officials to extend their helping hands to help rescue innocent Falun Gong practitioners so that families can be reunited soon.

When talking about the hardship he endured during the bicycle journey, Li, pointing at his legs that were badly sunburned, said jokingly, "This was really a complete sacrifice."

December 22, 2002