[Minghui] In order to reveal the truth about Falun Gong and let more people know about the persecution of Chinese practitioners, we held a news conference in Finland. This conference would also help clarify the facts distorted by the Chinese Government. Among us were professor Zhang Kunlun from Canada, and Ms. Zhang Cuiying from Australia.

In fact, the Chinese Embassy arranged a news conference on Falun Gong two weeks before we arrived in Finland. A reporter who attended the conference told us that the Chinese Embassy distributed many materials, including CDs and cassettes that are full of compiled lies and fabricated stories. The Embassy even wanted to deceive the kind-hearted Finnish people with these lies. Though they had painstakingly planned this conference, only four reporters attended. However, after we decided to hold a news conference in Finland, many reporters immediately showed interest, especially after they knew that practitioners from other counties would tell their personal persecution experiences in China. They said they would definitely be present at the conference.

Early on the morning of March 26, we started to carefully prepare in the conference center of a big steamer, which travels back and forth between Stockholm and Helsinki. At 11:00 am, reporters from nine different media arrived on time, including the Finland National TV Station. During the conference, we first read our statement. Next, three practitioners talked about their inhumane treatment inside Chinese jails. The reporters were all shocked by their experiences. Later, we showed the videos of "Falun Gong - The Real Story" and "The Analysis of the Tiananmen Self-Immolation Event." In the end, the reporters interviewed several practitioners. The conference ended at 12:30pm.

After the conference, one of practitioners asked for suggestions and comments about the organization of the conference. A reporter said, " The conference was arranged very well. The content is compact and the overall effect is good."

In the afternoon, the Finland National Broadcasting Station broadcasted the interviews. Their report was quite positive. They also repeated the report later in the afternoon. Another TV station showed their video of the interview too. Through this event the Finland media were given the opportunity to directly contact us, and learn more. This was also an opportunity for the Finnish people to know the truth about Falun Gong.

Several oversea representatives of Chinese media also attended the conference. After talking with them, we found that they knew very little about the truth of Falun Gong. We answered their questions and gave them some Falun Gong materials. We hope this can help them to know the truth.

European practitioners

April 1, 2001