Since 1992, when Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) was first taught in China, it has been spreading far and wide all over the world. More and more, people are wondering why all of this persecution of Falun Gong is taking place.
In order to understand the Chinese government's attitude and behavior toward Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, it may be helpful to look at some information issued by the government itself that sheds some light on the incidents that took place before July 1999.
During 1992, the China Qigong Research Association presented Mr. Li Hongzhi with the "Certificate of Qigong Master." This certification was the Chinese government's acknowledgement that Mr. Li Hongzhi was both the founder of Falun Gong and a Qigong master. Two years later, in 1994, the Jilin Province Qigong Scientific Research Association also presented Mr. Li Hongzhi with a "Senior Qigong Master Certificate."
In 1993, the China Qigong Scientific Research Association presented a certificate to the Falun Gong Research Association of Beijing. This certificate established that the Falun Gong Research Association was working under "Certification of the China Qigong Scientific Research Association's Direct Sub Qigong." It also stated that the Falun Gong Research Association was an "Intellectual Association" whose aim was "to develop our Chinese Qigong treasure, to establish modern Qigong science," and to pursue "rational research, popularize Qigong, and teach and serve." Its activities were to take place all over China. Meanwhile, the China Qigong Scientific Research Association also presented to Falun Gong's founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, a permit to teach Qigong everywhere in China.
On August 31, 1993, China's "Upholding Justice and Saving People in Danger" Foundation of the China Police Department wrote a letter of appreciation to the China Qigong Scientific Research Association for the help they received from Falun Gong. On Sept. 21, 1993 the newspaper, People's Police, which is published by the Police Department, printed an article praising Mr. Li Hongzhi and his students' unselfish public accomplishments during the Third National Conference of "Upholding Justice and Saving People in Danger." In December 1993, during the 1993 Oriental Health Fair [Expo], Mr. Li Hongzhi received the highest honor by being issued the "Fringe Science Progress Award," and the fair's "Special Gold Award." In addition, Mr. Li Hongzhi was called "Most Welcomed Qigong Master." Mr. Li received the most awards of anyone at the fair.
In July 1999, it was estimated that about 80,000,000 people in China were practicing Falun Gong daily.
Until June, 1999, the Chinese government supported and encouraged Mr. Li Hongzhi's efforts to spread Falun Gong. Then in the beginning of July 1999, the Chinese officials cranked up the propaganda machine full force and started demonizing Falun Gong with a variety of pejorative expressions. Recently, the Chinese government accused Taiwan and the C.I.A. in the United States as being "behind the scene supporters of Falun Gong." During the past 20 months, from July 1999 until now, 170 Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death, several hundred have been sentenced to long prison terms, and over 50,000 have been sent to detention centers, labor camps, or mental hospitals.
Falun Gong has endured and has not changed, and as time has gone by, more and more people have come to practice it. From its simple beginnings and enthusiastic reception by the Chinese people, Falun Gong is now being practiced by millions of people in over 40 countries around the world. Still, the Chinese government is opposing it, and the persecution continues to get more violent. Why?
After reading many Western media reports and Falun Gong websites, it has become apparent that the only force behind the persecution of Falun Gong is Jiang Zemin himself. Why has Jiang Zemin taken it upon himself to persecute innocent people?
