(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners of northern Taiwan gathered on the square at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei on May 1, 2016 to celebrate the forthcoming World Falun Dafa Day.

May 13 this year marks the 17th World Falun Dafa Day and the 24th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction in China, as well as the 65th birthday of its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.

Hundreds of practitioners gathered to demonstrate the Falun Gong exercises, followed by various performances, including traditional Chinese dance, instrumental performances, and singing. A photo exhibition at the event allowed the many passersby to learn about Falun Gong and its worldwide impact.

The large-scale group exercises. The banner in the back reads, “Celebrating 5/13, World Falun Dafa Day.” The signs in front read, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Tourists from China watch and photograph the large-scale Falun Gong event, something they can only see while traveling abroad, due to the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Visitors view the Falun Gong photo exhibition.

The participating practitioners noticed that the Chinese tourists acted differently from previous years. In the past, they watched Falun Dafa activities from afar, such as from the Memorial Hall corridor, or the stone steps. This year, however, many tourists came close, and some quit the Communist Party and its affiliates on the spot.

Chinese tourists in the past took photos of Falun Dafa activities, but didn't put themselves in the frame. In contrast, this year many tourists included themselves in their photos, with the Falun Dafa banners and practitioners in the background.

Mr. Li, one of the tourists from Hebei Province, told his companion, “Be sure to include the banners reading 'Falun Dafa', 'World Falun Dafa Day', and 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' in the background.”

An older couple from Shanghai talked to practitioner Ms. Jin Dui. They expressed disdain for the Chinese Communist Party, but thought that quitting the Party was becoming “involved in politics.”

Ms. Jin explained to them that the Communist Party is a ghost coming from the west (as its founder Carl Marx wrote), and did not originate in China. China has 5,000 years of history, but the Communist Party has existed for merely 70-some years. “How can the Communist Party equal China?”

The couple understood and quit the Young Pioneers. They later brought their daughter to Ms. Jin to quit the Young Pioneers too.

A young couple from Fujian Province said their memberships in the Young Pioneers had already expired naturally. Practitioner Ma explained to them that the vow they made when they joined was to serve the Communist Party for life, which was like being stamped by the party. If they didn't make the decision to quit, they would be buried together with the Party when heaven destroys it.

The couple decided to quit the Young Pioneers, and thanked Ms. Ma.