News and Events from around the World -- March 22, 2007

Issued by Clearwisdom Net

Content

  • FDI: Beijing Branch Manager of French Company Seized for Believed Falun Gong Connection

  • Singapore: “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” Art Exhibition Held in Furama City



  • FDI: Beijing Branch Manager of French Company Seized for Believed Falun Gong Connection

    The Falun Dafa Information Center is concerned for the safety of Beijing resident Ma Jian, following his seizure on March 13 by Beijing police. Ma, the branch manager of the Beijing office of PCM Pumps, was seized at the company's office by six plainclothes police, sources indicate. According to one witness, Ma's secretary, violence was used in Ma's removal, and police proceeded to ransack the entire office. All business activity is said to have been stopped at the office following the abduction.

    Ma practices Falun Gong, and is believed to have been singled out for his beliefs by China's communist authorities; sources say that police had in hand a Falun Gong book belonging to Ma at the time of the incident. Mr. Alain Tong, President of the Falun Gong Association of France (where PCM is based), expressed concern on Monday that Ma may be subjected to torture or worse, given the “current reality of organ harvesting and rampant torture taking place in China.” Company representatives have reportedly been told by Beijing authorities that it might be as long as three months before they are informed of what supposed grounds Ma is being held on. Ma's wife, who resides in Montreal, Canada, has issued multiple calls for help in securing her husband's safety and release.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER- Contacts: Gail Rachlin 917-757-9780, Levi Browde 646-415-0998, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, or Christina Chai 917-386-5068. Email: contact@faluninfo.net, Website: http://faluninfo.net/



    Singapore: “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” Art Exhibition Held in Furama City

    The “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” Art Exhibition opened on March 18, 2007, in Furama City in Singapore. Within a few hours, the exhibition drew many spectators. The exhibited works were highly praised, and people were deeply touched by the profound meanings revealed by the works. However, according to the sponsor, it was not at all easy to hold the art exhibition. The original venue was booked a month ago, but it was suddenly cancelled without reason just two days ago. Furama City was then booked for the exhibition.

    The art exhibition was hosted by the Falun Buddha Society (Singapore). Over 40 pieces of artwork were displayed. They included oil paintings, Chinese paintings, color paintings, sculptures, and charcoal and pastel drawings. The artists are all Falun Gong practitioners from around the world. What’s worth noting is that the works not only show the artists extraordinary artistic skills, but they also express profound inner meaning. Many of the artworks that depict Falun Gong practitioners’ persistence in their belief under brutal persecution are so lifelike and vivid that they are able to move one to tears. Some viewers were very emotional while looking at the pieces.

    Many people gained a deep understanding of Falun Gong from the art exhibition. Some of them expressed an interest in practicing Falun Gong after looking at all the works.

    One spectator, Mr. Chen Wenjin, said that he was deeply moved by the paintings. He said, “I feel they painted them so well, I’m moved. I hope the international community can stop the CCP from persecuting Falun Gong, so that Falun Gong can spread widely around the world and everybody will learn that Falun Dafa is good.”

    Another viewer, Mr. Yang Yiwen, said, “After seeing the exhibition, I felt very sad. We should let more Singaporeans learn about the persecution happening in China.”

    However, the sponsor said that it was not easy to make this art exhibition possible. They had originally booked a venue a month ago at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. However, just two days before the event, the venue was suddenly canceled for no reason and they had to find another place.

    Ms. Cynthia Chua, coordinator of the art exhibition, said that the sudden cancellation was a great inconvenience for them. They did not have enough time to inform all the invited guests of the change in venue.

    Ms. Chua further elaborated on the saga, “We signed the contract on February 14 for the purpose of holding the 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' Art Exhibition. Everything was ready, and we had paid the rental charge. We were notified about the cancellation at the last minute. The person in charge of the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre said that the cancellation was according to clauses No.14 and 15 in the contract. After consulting with a lawyer, we noticed that clauses No. 14 and 15 were not valid reasons—they were not relevant and not applicable. We had complied with everything according to the requirements in the contract. A staff member of the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre called me to say that someone from the Ministry of Home Affairs had called to inquire about the event and said they would come on the day of exhibition. The sponsor said such an inquiry was quite usual. Since 1999, people from the Ministry of Home Affairs have observed all Falun Gong related activities.”

    The reporter called up the office of the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre hoping to find out the real reason for the cancellation of the contract, but was unable to contact the person as of press time.

    The art exhibition was well-received by the public. The sponsor said they would hold more large-scale art exhibitions in the future.