Dear [name withheld],

Thank you for your letter of 17 August 2001 to the Prime Minister asking the New Zealand Government to make representations to the Chinese Government on its treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. As this matter falls within my portfolio I am writing on behalf of the Prime Minister.

As I have mentioned in a previous letter regarding Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand, the New Zealand Government remains concerned at reports of ill treatment of Falun Gong practitioners while in custody. In discussions with the Chinese Government at both Ministerial and Officials' level, we continue to urge the Chinese Government to allow Falun Gong followers to practice their movements without restrictions. We also note that the New Zealand Government has no problem with Falun Gong followers practicing their movements in New Zealand, and will continue to hold this belief as long as Falun Gong practitioners act within the law.

Thank you for information you included with your letter, which was of interest.

Yours sincerely

p> Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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