The Epoch Times
Translated from the Chinese edition

July 8, 2004


Falun Gong practitioners rallied in front of Chinese Consulate on June 30th to protest the attempted murder of fellow Falun Gong practitioners in South Africa. Adherents of the group believe that former Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, hired hit men to shoot the practitioners. (Epoch Times Photo)

Many authorities are starting to question the Chinese government's lack of concern over the high profile case of a Falun Gong practitioner being shot by unidentified hit men. The victim was part of a group of Falun Gong practitioners from Australia who were planning to subpoena visiting Vice President Zeng Qinghong in South Africa.

The subpoena was in connection with the lawsuit being brought against Zeng Qinghong for the genocide of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Bejing's lack of concern

Bao Tong, the former secretary of central committee member Zao Ziyang, commented, "I think if the victims are Chinese, the central government should express concern about the shooting. The Chinese government should be concerned for Chinese citizens living abroad and extend their sympathy to them."

A Chinese woman living in South Africa who declined to give her name said, "Those victims who were shot are overseas Chinese. Although they are of Australian nationality, they are still Chinese people. However, the Chinese embassy in South Africa did not express any sympathy or condolence to the victims. Also, there is no word on whether they intend to investigate the shooting."

The spokesman of Chinese Embassy in South Africa is hiding something

The newly married wife of Li Chichong, one of the victims, expressed her thoughts on the attitude of the Chinese government. She said, "I think they want to hide something. If Jiang's thugs were not involved in the shooting, why did they need to issue such a cold, callous statement?"

An article written by Heng Ho said, "I couldn't exclude the involvement by Chinese government because if the shooting was really made by hired hit men, it had to be carried out by the Chinese intelligence agents network in South Africa."

Australia expresses its concerns

Australian government officials expressed their concerns about the shooting. A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Office said they are offering consulate assistance to the victims of the shooting.

Bill Jackson, an official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, told one of the relatives of the victims that "it is a specific incident, not an accident or coincidence. We extend our sympathies to the victims of the shooting and the Australian government will make the greatest effort to call for the South African police to investigate the shooting."

Senator Ian Cohen, the Green Party chairman said, " I am disgusted with the violent behavior against the peaceful, kind Falun Gong practitioners. The world is witnessing the most unfair and savage brutality against ordinary citizens. Such atrocities cannot continue any longer."

Many Australian political leaders, including Liberal Party leader Anthony Roberts, Senator Fred Nile and Democrat leader Dr. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, expressed their concerns about the shooting, extended sympathies and condolences to the victims and called on the South African police to investigate the shooting immediately.

Taiwan willing to offer urgent assistance

Due to China's lack of concern, Taiwan officials offered the Falun Gong practitioners assistance and emergency aid.

Mrs. Wei, who was in the car during the shooting, is very concerned about the safety of her husband following the shooting. She said, "My thinking was confused and I had no idea how to react while the shooting took place. I appreciate the Taiwanese authorities giving us assistance. I am Taiwanese and my husband is from Mainland China. As overseas Chinese, we hope the Mainland government will respect people's human rights."

The shooting was attempted murder: S.A. police

South African police have classified the shooting as attempted murder. The police indicated that it is not an ordinary criminal case, and have many officers investigating the shooting, as reported by Sound of Hope Radio.

According to one of the victim of the shooting, "The ranking of the police in charge of this shooting is very high, and three groups of policemen have contacted us." He said the police themselves are saying that top police officials are involved in the investigation.

http://english.epochtimes.com/news/4-7-8/22315.html

Category: Falun Dafa in the Media