June 18, 2002

(Clearwisdom.net)

Editors' Note: In both Western and Chinese culture, the principle of karmic retribution, that is, being held ultimately accountable for one's own actions, is widely accepted. The fundamental teaching of Falun Gong is the characteristic of the universe, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." The universe will reward actions that are in harmony with this principle, while actions such as beating, torturing and murdering people will incur karmic retribution. Stated another way, good deeds will be rewarded with good, while evildoings will meet due retribution. Articles such as this one are meant as a compassionateáreminder of this principle to those who would commit wrongdoing. While many of those who persecute Falun Gong are merely "following orders," the universal law requires that they, too, be held responsible for their actions, and that only by reversing their course of wrongdoing may they escape retribution.

News Bulletins from Central Agency-Taipei, June 17, 2002

• In Fujian Province, the northern and northwestern regions have sustained severe flood damage. Heavy rain fell continuously for days. Jianning County experienced its worst flooding in two hundred years. Floodwaters continue to threaten the safety of residents downstream.
• Since the beginning of this year's flood season, various regions in Hainan Province have been receiving steady rainfall. Water levels in reservoirs have risen dramatically. The condition of many old and damaged reservoirs is raising safety concerns. The poor condition and resultant safety hazards of river and ocean levees, coupled with short supplies of flood-prevention materials, could lead to serious consequences for Hainan.
• China Forest Bureau director Zhou Shengxian, who is also a desertification prevention team leader, admitted that the desertification of the landscape in China continues unabated. The policy of "local control to entirely stop the problem" has not caused any fundamental improvement. 18.2% of the land in China is currently classified as desert. Desertification of other lands continues at a rate of 3,436 square kilometers per year.
• In Guangxi Province, the Liujiang water level is rising rapidly due to heavy rain. Flooding has caused over 300 houses to collapse in Liucheng County. Over 100,000 acres of crops were damaged. Roads and bridges were severely damaged.
• In Jiangxi Province, continuous heavy rain covered wide areas in recent days. This has caused water levels to rise sharply in area rivers. Water flow in some areas has exceeded historic records. Flood-prevention departments are in a state of red alert.
• The Forest Bureau official in Xinjiang Municipality stated today that during recent years, the situation of "desert advancing while people retreat" has not been fundamentally changed. The situation of desertification is still as serious as ever.
• On June 14^th, according to the Chinese agriculture department locust disaster prevention control center, locust infestations cover 3.5 million acres, affecting 14 provinces and cities, including Tianjin (City), and Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Hainan, Suchuan, Tibet, Shaanxi and Xinjiang provinces. This year's locust infestation is more severe than usual.