May 13, 2002

[...]

Beijing was on alert on Monday as the banned spiritual group Falun Gong marked the 10th anniversary since it was introduced to the world.

"Beijing's crackdown is completely unreasonable" Falun Gong member Lam Chau-ping

Chinese police checked bags amid heightened security in Tiananmen Square, where a single protester was detained within seconds of trying to unfurl a banner.

Supporters of the group abroad said events were planned in Tokyo, Sydney and other cities.

Protesters in Hong Kong marched and meditated, lining up to form the Chinese characters for "Falun Gong is good."

Falun Gong, [...], was banned on mainland China three years ago, although it is tolerated in Hong Kong.

The movement itself says it is simply a spiritual group that teaches exercise and meditation.

It was first introduced to China and the world on 13 May 1992 by Li Hongzhi,[...].

'Unreasonable'

"We cause no harm," said Lam Chau-ping, a 35-year-old housewife who joined 200 Falun Gong members in a demonstration near Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour.

"Beijing's crackdown is completely unreasonable."

[...] Falun Gong remains legal in Hong Kong, and the territory has tolerated most Falun Gong activities, although it recently arrested 16 people, including four Swiss members, for alleged obstruction when they protested outside a government office in March.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1984000/198405 8.stm