(Minghui.org) April 25 this year marks the 25th anniversary of the peaceful appeal in Beijing in 1999. After dozens of Falun Gong practitioners were arrested in the nearby city of Tianjin in April 1999, about 10,000 practitioners went to the Central Appeals Office in Beijing on April 25, 1999, to peacefully request their release.
Although then premier Zhu Rongji resolved the issue that day, former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin nonetheless started a nationwide persecution of Falun Gong three months later. Millions of practitioners have been discriminated against and mistreated for their belief ever since.
Falun Gong practitioners come from all walks of life. Their peaceful appeal under the totalitarian rule of the CCP surprised the Chinese general public as well as the world at large. It set an unprecedented example for ordinary citizens to voice their opinions through peaceful appeal and negotiation with the government, according to Song Guocheng, senior researcher at the International Relations Research Center of National Chengchi University.
The general public, including the police officers on duty, were impressed by the practitioners’ peaceful and rational manner. But then CCP leader Jiang Zemin could not tolerate this. By acting against other members of the Politburo Standing Committee, he established the 610 Office to direct the systematic suppression. In addition, he issued the order against practitioners to “Ruin their reputations, bankrupt them financially, and destroy them physically.”
Senior political commentator Sang Pu said that, although the then premier Zhu Rongji ordered the release of the detained practitioners that same day, Jiang quickly set up the 610 Office to organize the nationwide persecution. The mass arrests, detentions, and torture were beyond description. “Suppressing such a peaceful group like Falun Gong shows the ruthless nature of the CCP,” added Sang.
Most Falun Dafa practitioners are ordinary citizens who strive to be better people by following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They have no interest in politics and what they requested—to practice their faith unmolested—was simply a basic right already guaranteed by the constitution. But the high standards practitioners live by was exactly what the CCP was afraid of.
Senior political and economic commentator Wu Jialong said that this was because the CCP is rooted in hatred and brutality. That was why it could not tolerate traditional values such as Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Consequently, the regime could not accept it although the appeal on April 25 was peaceful and rational.
Sang said that many people are not clear on just how evil the CCP is, and they simply see China as a strong economic entity. “In reality, the CCP has encouraged the worst parts of human nature and combined them with Marxism. By promoting atheism, it acts against all faith systems,” he explained. “Of course it would suppress Falun Gong and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Song said that no political entities that deprive people of freedom, ignore universal values, and act against humanity last long. “This is because all political systems must comply with basic humanity to survive,” he continued. “The CCP’s collapse is inevitable. Its brutality against ordinary citizens, including Falun Gong practitioners, dictates that it will be phased out sooner or later.”
Sang agreed, saying it is just a matter of time for us to see the CCP’s downfall as no totalitarian regime can last forever. “The CCP will be over for sure,” he said.
Song believes the CCP owes a serious apology to Falun Gong, as it “misrepresented Falun Gong practitioners’ basic request to practice their faith as being against the Party,” he explained.
The vicious nature of the CCP makes it unable to respect humanity or life; instead, it maintains power by deception and suppression. “Therefore, the CCP must reflect on its mistreatment of Falun Gong, make a formal apology, and restore Falun Gong’s reputation.”
Although the persecution still continues in China, Sang is glad to hear more and more voices of support from around the world. In places such as Taiwan, Europe, and the United States, he has seen Falun Gong practitioners handing out materials. This is powerful because it is based on their faith in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He believed Falun Gong will grow well around the around.
Song said Falun Gong promotes universal values and the positive side of human nature, and that is why it always benefits society.