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
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