December 29, 2002

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) Taiwan Falun Gong [practitioners] called on the international community Sunday to stop Beijing's repression against their fellow practitioners in mainland China.

Officials of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association said at a rally that more than 100,000 Falun Gong [practitioners] in the mainland are presently facing repression by the Beijing authorities. They said that more than 100 overseas Chinese from 16 countries around the world have been detained in the mainland just for practicing Falun Gong there.

They called on people around the world to join their efforts to put strong international pressure on Beijing to force it to stop suppressing the people on mainland. The Beijing authorities only make concessions under international pressure, they stressed.

Addressing the gathering, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou also asked the Beijing authorities to look on the Falun Gong with a tolerant manner.

Saying that practicing Falun Gong is good for one's health, Ma said that he sees no reason why the authorities should deter Falun Gong followers from doing their exercises.

Note: Central News Agency is a prominent news agency in Taiwan.