(Minghui.org) Merlion is Singapore icon, and Merlion Park is a must-see attraction for many tourists. Hundreds of thousands Chinese tourists visit the park every year. Chinese New Year's Day (February 8, 2016) was no exception, and local Falun Gong practitioners went to the park to raise awareness about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Merlion Park in Singapore

The Singapore government has close ties with communist China, so local practitioners' efforts to raise awareness are often interfered with or thwarted by local authorities. Nevertheless, the practitioners continue their efforts to reach out to thousands of visiting Chinese tourists.

Tour guides generally allow their groups no more than 30 minutes at each site they visit. Practitioners take advantage of that time to talk with the tourists and offer them the opportunity to distance themselves from the evil deeds of the Party. They explain how the Party demands that Chinese citizens vow to devote their lives to the Party. They also explain how the Party has killed countless Chinese people since it took power, and their belief that Party members will one day be implicated for the Party's actions. Upon hearing this, many tourists immediately agree to quit the Party.

Some of the Chinese tourists reply that they are not involved in politics. The practitioners encourage them to pay attention to politics, even if they are not directly involved, and remind the tourists of the old Chinese saying that everyone bears responsibility for the fate of the country.

Some tourists say that they are patriotic, and are thus resistant to quitting the Party. A practitioner might then point to the words on a poster board and say, “Indeed, China is great. But the CCP is not China. You don't have to like the Party to be patriotic. China has lived through many dynasties. None of them lasts forever.”

Many groups of Chinese students also visit Singapore's tourist attractions. Some are shocked to see the displays that practitioners have on hand, and some of the teachers attempt to keep the students from looking at them.

Practitioners explain, “It is good for the children to learn about Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It brings positive energy to them. They would behave well if they followed the principle. They are innocent. They made vows to devote their lives to the Party, so they too should renounce it. Please don't lead the students to have later regrets.”

Some of the teachers agree, and allow their students to listen and read the Falun Gong displays. Some then renounce their memberships in the Young Pioneers communist organization.

One guide told a practitioner, “Government officials told us not to accept any Falun Gong materials.” Another said, “We are not allowed to take the materials, or we will face trouble when returning.”

A practitioner said, “You spend money to travel abroad. You should see what you cannot see in China. The Party staged the Tiananmen self-immolation propaganda stunt to incite hatred of Falun Gong. Now it fears people learning the truth about the practice, and the persecution, and does not want you to read Falun Gong materials. The CCP will collapse sooner or later. It cannot control everyone.”

Some nod after hearing the explanation. Some quickly renounce the Party and take some materials with them.

More and more tourists are learning the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution, and renouncing the Party and its affiliates, at tourist sites. Some have already encountered Falun Gong in other countries, and learned about the true nature of the CCP and the brutal persecution in China.

One tourist said emotionally, “Falun Gong is China's hope!” Others took photos of the Falun Gong posters and gave practitioners a thumbs-up.