BBC: Campaign raises Falun Gong awareness

Libei wants to raise awareness of the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners around the world.

22nd August 2001

Libei and fellow PhD student Qiang have just completed their UK tour which stopped at Leicester on Saturday 18th August and plan further demonstrations against what they say are infringements on their basic human rights. Demonstrations include a 72-hour hunger strike outside the Chinese Embassy in London.

There are an estimated over 100 million practitioners of the belief in the world and Libei says the practice does not pose any risk to China and its practices.

"Falun Gong is a kind of body, mind and spirit practice it is very good for people's health and also morality improvements. We believe in truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. Normally we can practice together in the park and also at home," explained Libei.

"They (Chinese authorities) look at us in a different direction just because of the large popularity of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Some [party' name omitted] Party members practice Falun Gong and that is why the government treats Falun Gong as a threat to their power," says Libei.

"In one of the city councils we went to along our route, the secretary to the Lord Mayor mentioned that they received an information packet from the Chinese Embassy defaming Falun Gong," says Qiang.

"They have been trying to depict Falun Gong as something dangerous to people, [...]. But according to the teachings of Falun Gong killing and suicide are both crimes," commented Qiang.