English Minghui.org

March 21, 2001

AFP: China Human Rights Group Urges EU to Support U.S. Resolution

GENEVA, Mar 20, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) The Human Rights in China (HRIC) group urged the European Union to co-sponsor a resolution with the United States condemning China for its human rights record on Monday.

HK-iMail: Falun Gong letter to Qian snubbed

21 March 2001 / 01:07 AM

FALUN Gong members in New York yesterday issued an open letter petitioning visiting Vice-Premier Qian Qichen to stop Beijing' suppression of the spiritual movement. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue was asked by two [group] members to deliver the letter, but she refused their request. She also would not answer their questions.

Two Symposia on a University Campus

In the afternoon of March 7, 2001, the Chinese Student Association of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) conducted a symposium about the Tiananmen Square self-immolation incident. It was open to all Chinese students and scholars. The organizer also invited some Falun Gong practitioners. The symposium started with the one-hour "Focus Discussion" program by CCTV (China Central TV Station) on the self-immolation incident, followed by a half-hour speech by Falun Gong practitioners, and a half-hour period for free discussion. The tone of the entire symposium was rational, friendly and warm. It gave the participants an opportunity to exchange their opinions peacefully, though they might hold completely different beliefs. Such a symposium is impossible in China. Even in the U.S., it is hard to find. It is commendable that the Mainland Chinese students, with many misunderstandings and prejudices toward Falun Gong, had a chance to sit down with practitioners and exchange their opinions calmly. In fact, this meeting was a result of another symposium organized by the Chinese Consulate in Chicago several days ago.