DATE=10/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - FALUNGONG (L)
NUMBER=2-255477
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Chinese authorities continued to round up
practitioners of a banned spiritual group in Beijing today
(Tuesday), near Tiananmen Square. The detentions came as
the country's congress wound up a second day of debate on
legislation aimed at groups the government deems to be
cults. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from the Chinese
capital.
TEXT: Witnesses say police detained several dozen followers
of the group, Falungong, in and around Tiananmen Square in
the center of Beijing. This follows the detentions of
dozens of the group's practitioners on Monday.
The practitioners did nothing to attract attention. Police
patrolling the Square questioned people and apparently
detained those they suspected of being members of the
illegal group.
Nearby, China's National People's Congress finished a second
day of discussion on a new law to quash groups the
government considers to be cults. This includes Falungong,
which Beijing declared illegal in July.
Since then, Chinese authorities have rounded up hundreds of
people nationwide who are believed to be Falungong leaders.
A Hong Kong-based human rights group has reported that one
woman was beaten to death in custody.
Chinese spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue, speaking through an
interpreter, justified the government's actions to
reporters.
/// 1st ZHANG INTERPRETER ACT ///
With regard to Falungong organization, China is a
country ruled by law. China has outlawed Falungong
and made it ilegal. And, in taking some action
against some of the practitioners, they are all done
in accordance with law.
/// END ACT ///
She blamed the spiritual group for being superstitious and
dangerous.
/// 2nd ZHANG INTERPRETER ACT ///
The organization has upset social order and has
damaged the health of the practitioners. According to
incomplete statistics, those who are killed for
practicing Falungong totaled more than 14-hundred
people.
/// END ACT ///
Falungong adherents in China come from all walks of life,
including the Communist Party and the government. The group
claims 100-million members, but the government says the
membership is closer to two-million.
Despite the official ban, practitioners from around the
country have descended on Beijing to appeal the government's
decision.
One practitioner from far northeastern Heilongjiang
province, 34-year-old farmer Mr. Xu, said he has already
been in Beijing for three months. He rejected accusations
that Falungong is harmful.
/// XU CHINESE ACT - IN FULL, FADE OUT ///
He says Falungong practitioners have never done anything
illegal or against the government. He says he feels
Falungong only teaches him to be a good person. If that
means he will be put in jail, then he says he is ready to
go. (Signed)
NEB/HO/WTW
26-Oct-1999 06:53 AM EDT (26-Oct-1999 1053 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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