Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/30/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA/FALUN GONG (L)

NUMBER=2-298999

BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China detains an American member of the banned Falun Gong sect

for interfering with television broadcasts. Also, an Australian member

of the group will be released Thursday after a weeklong detention in

China. V-O-A's Beijing Correspondent Leta Hong Fincher has this report.

TEXT: A U-S embassy spokeswoman says Thursday that Chinese police

detained Chuck Lee, an American citizen, on charges of sabotaging

television and radio broadcast systems in China.

The embassy spokeswoman in Beijing says police in the southern city of

Guangzhou took Mr. Lee into custody on January 22nd and several days

later transferred him to a detention center west of Shanghai.

She says a U-S consulate official visited Mr. Lee on Tuesday, and he

appeared healthy.

Falun Gong supporters say Mr. Lee is a member of their group, which has

been banned in China since 1999 as an "evil cult." Over the past two

years, Chinese followers of the group have occasionally taken over state

television signals to protest the ban and broadcast their spiritual

beliefs.

/// ZHANG ACT IN CHINESE, EST. THEN FADE ///

At a news conference in Beijing Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue says Mr. Lee is suspected of cutting cable

television wires, damaging public facilities, and disrupting the lives

of Chinese citizens.

She warns that anyone who breaks Chinese law and damages infrastructure

will be investigated.

Falun Gong spokeswoman Sophie Xiao in Hong Kong expresses dismay over

Mr. Lee's detention. Ms. Xiao says the charges against Mr. Lee could

carry a penalty of 15 years in prison.

/// XIAO ACT ///

We really feel shocked because this persecution is not only being

applied to Chinese citizens. Now the persecution against the Falun Gong

has extended to foreign nationals.

/// END ACT ///

In fact, police in the southwestern city of Chengdu last week detained

an Australian member of Falun Gong, Ms. Xiao says.

The Australian embassy spokesperson in Beijing says Thursday it sent an

official to meet the woman, Nancy Chen, and that they expect her release

on Thursday. (Signed)

NEB/HK/LHF/MH