October 25, 2002 Friday

SECTION: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

DISTRIBUTION: Asia; England; Europe; Britain; Scandinavia

HONG KONG --Shedding their yellow protest shirts for sequin-laced evening gowns, members of Falun Gong are taking to the stage for a variety show aimed at polishing their public image.

Banned [...] in mainland China and just tolerated in Hong Kong, Falun Gong says its performances are also designed to showcase practitioners' talents and preach the group's message.

"The performance carries special significance in Hong Kong. It's not like in the West where people commonly sympathize with and accept Falun Gong," said Kan Hung-cheung, a spokesman for the group. "We need to show the public that Falun Dafa is beautiful and good for mankind," Kan said, referring to the group's beliefs.

Since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule five years ago, residents of this former British colony have retained many Western-style liberties denied to mainland citizens. Those freedoms allow Falun Gong members to practice and protest here - but not without limits.

Earlier this year, 16 Falun Gong followers were convicted on obstruction charges for protesting outside a Chinese government office.

Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa has echoed Beijing's disapproval, [...]

But the group is still allowed to hold public events. In addition to performances Thursday and Friday evening, members plan several demonstrations over the weekend, with police permission.
Hoping to improve mixed perceptions about the group, Falun Gong followers traded their usual protest garb of bright yellow T-shirts Thursday night for elegant evening gowns.

Top government officials were invited, but declined to attend, Kan said.

Against a light blue backdrop, a woman belted out in operatic fashion a song about an illiterate person who learned how to read after becoming a Falun Gong [practitioner].

The evening was an international affair - devotees from Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Germany and France also performed.

The performances aren't intended as mere entertainment. Some numbers criticize the mainland's crackdown on the group, which Falun Gong members claim has killed more than 500 people. Chinese authorities have detained thousands of Falun Gong followers, [...]

Falun Gong hosted a high-profile global conference in City Hall last January, much to the chagrin of pro-Beijing figures. This time, the group was told that downtown facilities were all full.

[...]

Members contend that their practice of meditation exercises and their unique philosophy [...] promotes good health and morality.