July 3, 2004, Saturday

A MEMBER of the Falun Gong movement has been shot in a drive-by attack in South Africa. David Liang sustained gunshot wounds to his feet after his car was sprayed with bullets near Johannesburg. He was in the country to protest at talks between the Chinese and South African governments1. "After shooting at us they did not rob us and simply sped away," Mr Liang said from his hospital bed. "We are sure the Chinese Government is involved."

(1) David Liang and other Falun Gong practitioners went to South Africa to peacefully protest against the Chinese Vice-President and the Chinese Minister of Commerce for their role in the persecution of Falun Gong. The practitioners were also planning to file a lawsuit against the visiting Chinese officials for human rights abuses they have committed in China.