CNN: China cracks down amid U.S. condemnation
Police have increased security at Tiananmen Square
January 25, 2001 BEIJING, China -- Beijing police continued their crackdown on protests by the Falun Gong [group] despite calls by the new U.S. administration for Beijing to be tolerant and respect the law.
Large numbers of police patrolled Tiananmen Square on the second day of the Lunar New year, following a Tuesday incident in which five members of the outlawed Falun Gong [group] set themselves alight.
Following the dramatic protest, where one woman died, police have been seen frisking and checking the identification of Chinese tourists visiting the square to ring in the Year of the Snake.
Speaking after a meeting with Powell and Chinese ambassador Li Zhaoxing, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher volunteered a fresh burst of U.S. criticism of China's human and civil rights record.
This was Powell's first meeting with a foreign envoy since taking office.
Though the meeting was a farewell call by the Chinese ambassador, who is due to leave his post within days, it gave President George W. Bush's administration a chance to set the tone of the relationship early into its four-year term.
Changes are expected in Sino-US relations under the new administration. Bush has criticized Bill Clinton of being too soft with China.
U.S. raise human rights
During the 30-minute landmark meeting, Powell delivered a message of "tolerance and rule of law" to Li, making clear the United States would raise human rights issues frankly.
Powell also repeated a similar view of China to the one he outlined in testimony to lawmakers before his confirmation as secretary of state: "A strategic partner China is not, but neither is China our inevitable and implacable foe."
CNN's Beijing correspondent Rebecca MacKinnon said government officials were not available for comment on Powell's remarks because of the New Year holiday.
But during the meeting, Powell reaffirmed the United States will be firm with China when differences arise, adding Washington was saddened by the attempted group suicide.
"The actions that led to such results are tragic for all of the people involved, most directly those who are injured and their families," Boucher said.
The United States said it had noted the statements by Falun Gong spokespeople that the [group] opposes violence and suicide.
Falun Gong blast government
Immediately following Tuesday's fiery protests, a spokeswoman for the spiritual group, Gail Rachlin, claimed the report that the five were members of Falun Gong was part of an effort against the group by the Chinese government.
She said more than 120 Falun Gong protesters have been tortured to death in police custody but authorities have reported only a handful of these deaths.
The spiritual group drew millions of followers in the1990s, preaching a mix of slow-motion exercises and eclectic ideas that followers say promote health and good citizenship.
The communist government outlawed the group in July1999, accusing [Chinese government's slanderous words].
U.S.-Sino ties face new pressures
Though U.S.-Sino ties improved dramatically in 2000,they had come off a low hit in 1999 when U.S. jets on a NATO mission bombed Beijing's embassy in Belgrade.
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But as China continued its crackdown on protests, the new U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, called on Chinese authorities to release those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of religion.
One of the first tests of the Bush administration's approach to China will come in the spring meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva, where it has often pressed for a resolution critical of the Chinese government.