Shanghai World Expo - Another Pretext to Escalate the Persecution

The 2010 World Expo is to be held in Shanghai. Zhou Yongkang, head of the CCP Central Political and Judiciary Committee, arrived in Shanghai on June 20, 2009. Zhou made a number of statements , including, "The Shanghai World Expo is another important international event similar to the Beijing Olympics," "Safety is the most important element to hosting a successful World Expo," and, "Open a People's War for the security of the World Expo." He then ordered a crackdown on any perceived and potential dissents, thereby beginning yet another intense campaign of persecution.

After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai government, in preparation for the Expo, spent a huge amount of money on a "beautification project" to create the illusion of prosperity for the Expo visitors. At the same time, just as in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, a brutal crackdown began on many innocent people. People have been monitored and arrested; residents homes have been torn down to make way for new buildings, and human rights advocates are being detained and persecuted.

On December 13, 2008, the city CCP committee issued a decree called the "Four Guarantees." Liu Geng, former secretary of the CCP Political and Judiciary Committee in Shanghai, claimed that the most import guarantee of the "Four Guarantees" is to use all means necessary to protect their preparations for the World Expo. On December 18, 2008 with 500 days were left to go, all the CCP organizations in Shanghai, especially the police system, began to "eliminate" and "resolve" what they consider as "potential embarrassments" for them.

At the beginning of 2009, Jiang Zemin issued the slogan, "Successful Olympics, Splendid World Expo." Then he instigated another crackdown on Falun Gong practitioners under the pretext of "ensuring the safety of the World Expo."

Immediately after the 2009 Chinese New Year, Falun Gong practitioners in Shanghai started to experience a new round of persecution. Many of them were harassed or arrested by the police. In February 2009, seven arrests were reported and seven Falun Gong practitioners were transferred to brainwashing centers or detention centers. Shanghai City Police Department is running a "Safety Project," which includes the installation of video cameras all over the city. Even in Pudong District, police patrols are everywhere, with 24-hour patrols in many areas. Cameras were also installed in several of the older and smaller surrounding zones.

In March 2009, many practitioners were harassed at home in Pudong District, where the World Expo will be held. A policeman told his relative that even traffic police were instructed to question Falun Gong practitioners and search their homes for Falun Gong flyers and books. In March, another nine practitioners were illegally arrested.

In April 2009, nine Falun Gong practitioners were arrested. Incentives were offered in Yangpu District and Pudong District, with amounts of 10,000 yuan for arresting a Falun Gong practitioner caught in the act of distributing materials, 200 yuan for reporting a Falun Gong practitioner, and 5 yuan to turn in a copy of truth-clarification materials.

On May 1, 2009, one year away from the World Expo, the persecution began in earnest. Within one month, 21 Falun Gong practitioners were arrested, including an entire family arrested after their home was broken into.

In June, 20 more Falun Gong practitioners were arrested.