LONDON (EFGIC) C The Prime Minister Tony Blair will visit China from 20-23 July 2003. The trip was originally planned for late April but was postponed as a result of the Iraq war and the SARS crisis. As Mr Blair meets with China's new President Hu Jintao in Beijing on the 20th, Falun Gong practitioners in London will hold a press conference to mark four years of brutal mistreatment of the spiritual practice by authorities in the mainland. The press conference will take place at 12 pm opposite the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place, W1. An informal walk to Chinatown will follow the press conference.

Many people have seen Falun Gong on the TV or in the newspaper. Many have heard the story of a Chinese cultivation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance, which spread to a documented 70 to 100 million people in less than 7 years and is now practiced in over 60 countries worldwide. Many have heard the [Jiang regime's propaganda attempting to demonize Falun Gong]. Many have seen the solemn marches and peaceful rallies to raise public awareness to help end the persecution. Many have seen Falun Gong practitioners appealing outside the Chinese Embassies and Consulates 24 hours a day for the last two years trying to rescue their family members who have been victimised by the persecution or to honour and uphold the faith of their parents or siblings that have been murdered already by the Chinese regime.

However, not many people realize that for four years Falun Gong practitioners have persevered through the most brutal, violent, hidden persecution waged by one of the most powerful nations in the world. In 1989 the student democracy movement in China had millions of supporters. In 1989 it took the Chinese regime just four days to eliminate the entire movement.

Four years ago the leader of the Chinese communist regime ordered the use of all necessary measures to exterminate Falun Gong. Today every sector of society is being used to eliminate as well as incite hatred against Falun Gong practitioners. Today billions of dollars and every sector of government, police, military and media in China is being used to try to completely eliminate Falun Gong. Four years later, Falun Gong practitioners continue to peacefully step forward to protect their beliefs from annihilation.

What is it about Falun Gong that gives these people such heart to continue through the darkest time in history?

What is it about Falun Gong that gives practitioners such faith, determination and perseverance to face such a vicious, defamatory and murderous regime without ever renouncing their faith?

What is it about Falun Gong that has inspired people all over the world to join together to proactively but peacefully raise awareness of the modern day genocide taking place in media-locked China in order to help stop the annihilation of innocent people?

What is it about Falun Gong that has encouraged people to step forward and clarify the true situation amidst a multi billion dollar hate campaign?

Through the most adverse conditions this spiritual teaching of Falun Gong has become a household name around the world. Falun Gong has won the respect and support of governments, media and human rights groups including Amnesty International. Understand it or not Falun Gong is here to stay.

The Falun Gong saga is the most important story of our time. It is the most clear cut case of evil trying to overcome virtue and goodness where the essence of goodness endures and continues to live on.

This July 20th is the four-year anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China and the story of Falun Gong is a story that must be told.

Thousands of years ago Christianity was persecuted. The righteous teachings endured over 300 years of persecution and blossomed to guide close to the entire planet to believe in a higher purpose and higher principles. Thousands of years from now people will look back and realize that this period of time was the most important and significant time in history, when Falun Gong persevered within their principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance to overcome evil and end the persecution to become one of the most respected teachings on the planet.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practise of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practise that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practises such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practised in over 60 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practise in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practise while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practise it.

The European Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 750 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE
Peter Jauhal 44 (0) 7739 172 452. Nicolas Schols 32 (0) 479875734
More contacts. http://www.falungonginfo.net/europe.htm
Email: europe@falungonginfo.net

Source: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200307/13708.html