UK: Further Reflections on UK MP's Criticism of the Chinese Embassy

Monday, June 24, 2002

Thirty one members of the UK parliament have so far signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Dr Lynn Jones MP, criticizing the Chinese Embassy's propaganda against Falun Gong and their arrogance in dealing with MPs regarding the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners. [Note: An Early Day Motion is a device to draw attention to an issue, and to elicit support for it by the means of inviting other Members of Parliament to add their signatures to the motion.]

London's Chinese Embassy has recently circulated materials smearing Falun Gong to members of the UK parliament. However, this action only served to generate much annoyance. The Embassy is well known for its arrogance. It refuses to accept critical letters and fiercely denounces those who support the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners, including the Greater London Assembly that passed a motion asking the Chinese regime to stop persecuting Falun Gong. Last year, at a fringe meeting of the annual conference of the Labor Party, a Chinese Embassy official became out of control in verbally attacking a member of the UK Parliament who criticized the Chinese regime's suppression of Falun Gong. The Chinese Embassy official continued his fierce and heated verbal attack on the MP even after the Chairman had stopped the meeting. Such a display of arrogance is reminiscent of the bullying tactics of Chinese President Jiang, who angrily rebuked a female reporter from Hong Kong because she asked a mildly challenging question. On that occasion, Jiang even went so far as threatening the reporter "One makes a lot of money by keeping quiet!"

The members of the UK Parliament have highlighted the propaganda of the Chinese regime as well as the arrogance of the regime's representatives in the UK. The text of the EDM 1320 is as follows:

CHINESE EMBASSY AND CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT FALUN GONG PRACTIONERS

15.05.02

Jones/Lynne

That this House notes that the Chinese Embassy has circulated unsolicited material to honorable Members regarding Falun Gong; notes the discourtesy of the Chinese Embassy in failing to reply to letters from honorable Members in relation to human rights for Falun Gong practitioners in China which calls into question the sincerity of the message from the Chinese Ambassador in the document commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of China - UK ambassadorial diplomatic relations, that constructive dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality is the only positive way in handling differences; and calls on the Government to seek assurances from the Chinese Ambassador that points of concern raised by honorable Members will receive a considered response.

http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=1320