This is a letter to the Editor of the
Washington Post sent on January 10, 2000 in response to an
editorial of December 31, 1999. After 2 weeks, we are told
the letter would not be published by the paper, but we think
that the readers have the right to know the real situation.
Sir:
Some clarifications
and comments are warranted on your editorial "Strains
on China"of December 31, 1999 in regard to Falun
Gong.The editorial called Falun Gong a "spiritual
movement" and deemed China's measures against it
"problematic". Facts have shown that Falun Gong is
nothing but an evil cult that has all the inherent
characteristics of a cult: worship of its leader, systematic
mind control, spreading heretic ideas, amassing wealth,
secret organization and endangering the society.
For example, its ringleader Li Hongzhi
fabricated and spread such fallacies as "doomsday"
and "earth explosion". Many Falun Gong
practitioners were driven into such intense fear by these
heresies that they became insane and even committed suicide
or killed their loved ones. Li amassed $5.4 million through
illegal publication of Falun Gong materials and tax evasion.
1400 followers died as a result of practising Falun Gong and
refusing medical attention when falling ill. Falun Gong
disrupted public order and stability by staging illegal
demonstrations around media agencies and government organs.
In order to protect the human rights and
fundamental freedom of the citizens and maintain public
order, the Chinese government took necessary measures to
prevent Li and his accomplices from inflicting more harm to
others. In doing so, the government has made a strict
distinction between the cult core members and ordinary
practitioners who are victims of Li's evil cult, with the
former being dealt with according to law and the latter not
accountable for once they break with Falun Gong.
The government's policy has been well received
by the populace and 99% of Falun Gong adherents quit the
cult after realizing its evil nature, so in China Falun Gong
has definitely lost its "momentum".
Yet some U.S. officials and media have
criticized China for outlawing this cult and spoken on its
behalf. They seem to be unaware of the pernicious impact of
this cult and are trying to make a fuss over it. One could
only wonder: Is it a double standard or are there any
ulterior motives behind all this?
Yu Shuning
Minister-Counselor (Press)
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