DATE=12/2/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CHINA - FALUN GONG (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-256742 BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO DATELINE=BEIJING CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: China is denying reports it has detained more than 35-thousand members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports Chinese officials say the figure represents Falun Gong followers who were prevented by police from holding gatherings in Beijing. TEXT: The report of high numbers of Falun Gong detentions came this week from the Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi, speaking through an interpreter, denounced the allegation. /// SUN INTERPRETER ACT /// The Chinese government is opposed to the attempt by any country's government or international organizations to make irresponsible remarks on China's internal affairs. /// END ACT /// Chinese authorities Thursday did not deny the figure of 35-thousand-792 reported by the Information Center, but gave their own explanation of what that tally represents. The director-general of China's State Council Information Office, Qian Xiaoqian, says the count includes each time a Falun Gong follower tried to attend a rally and was stopped. But, Mr. Qian said, these people were not detained. He said as of November 22nd, at least 150 Falun Gong members were arrested or were being sought on charges ranging from disturbing social order to stealing state secrets. The Chinese official said indictments have been issued against 44 people around the country for Falun Gong- related crimes. Beijing has blamed the spiritual group for causing the deaths of 14-hundred followers, saying they were not allowed to seek medical treatment for serious illnesses. China banned Falun Gong in July. This prompted thousands of the group's followers to flock to Beijing from around the country in October, in an unsuccessful bid to stop China's Parliament from declaring the sect an evil cult. Witnesses say most Falun Gong protesters were cleared from Tiananmen Square without resisting, but some were kicked and dragged away by their hair. The government has said the protesters were questioned and sent back to their hometowns. On Tuesday, a court in the southern island province of Hainan rejected the appeals of four sect leaders who were given jail terms of up to 12 years. Falun Gong mixes Buddhist and Taoist beliefs with traditional breathing exercises. The group claims 100-million followers - exceeding membership in the 60-million-strong ruling Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese government puts Falun Gong membership at two million, but says the number is getting smaller because many adherents have been persuaded to quit since the crackdown. (Signed) NEB/HO/FC/gm 02-Dec-1999 04:32 AM EDT (02-Dec-1999 0932 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
