DATE=10/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / FALUN GONG (L)
NUMBER=2-255555
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has officially branded the outlawed
Falun Gong movement a cult for the first time. As V-
O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing, this sets the
stage for an even harsher government crackdown and the
possibility of a wider backlash from Falun Gong
members.
TEXT: All major Chinese newspapers carried the
government's latest pronouncement on the front page
Thursday.
The official commentary said Falun Gong was more than
just an ordinary illegal organization. It accused
Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi of exercising systematic
mind control over his followers - seducing,
brainwashing and blackmailing them.
Government spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue says Beijing's
decision is aimed at protecting the basic rights of
Chinese citizens and upholding the country's
constitutional law. Ms. Zhang, speaking through an
interpreter, asserted that China is doing what any
country would do.
// ZHANG INTERPRETER ACTUALITY //
All responsible governments will not permit a heretic
cult to upset social order and to endanger the
stability of the countries.
// END ACTUALITY //
China began a nationwide crackdown against the group
in July. The latest declaration comes as the National
People's Congress meets in Beijing to discuss
legislation to curb groups the government considers
cults.
Hundreds of emboldened Falun Gong members from around
the country have been protesting since Monday in
Tiananmen Square, across from the Great Hall of the
People, where the Congress is meeting.
Although police have already apprehended dozens of
followers, they are quickly replaced with more
demonstrators who continue coming to Beijing from
other parts of the country. Their hope is to persuade
the government to change its mind.
One such Falun Gong follower is Mr. Sun, a 26-year-old
teacher who came to Beijing from northeastern Jilin
province.
// SUN CHINESE ACT - IN FULL, FADE OUT //
Mr. Sun says the Falun Gong exercises he has studied
for the last three years have taught him how to be
healthy and how to be a good person. He and other
followers stress they have never done anything
illegal.
Observers say Falun Gong is just one among many such
organizations, in a country where people are searching
for spiritual sustenance.
Sima Nan, a Chinese freelance journalist who has
played a role in the government's media campaign
against Falun Gong, confirms this view. He says the
group's founder, Li Hongzhi, just represents part of
the problem.
// SIMA CHINESE ACT - IN FULL, FADE OUT //
Mr. Sima says although the government considers Li
Hongzhi a serious troublemaker, Falun Gong is not the
largest of what he refers to as counterfeit spiritual
organizations. He says there are other groups that
pose an even bigger threat. signed)
NEB/HO/FC
28-Oct-1999 05:12 AM EDT (28-Oct-1999 0912 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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