(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners came together at Sizihwan Bay in southern Taiwan on December 28 to wish the founder of Falun Gong, Master Li Hongzhi, a Happy New Year.

As they did the Falun Gong exercises and took a photo together, many tourists from Mainland China watched and took photos.

“I want to show this to my friends in China so they will know that there are many people who practice Falun Gong in Taiwan,” said a man from Beijing.

As Falun Gong is banned and persecuted in China, public gatherings of this many practitioners is unheard of.

Practitioners from Kaohsiung, Taiwan gather at Sizihwan to respectfully wish Master Li Hongzhi a Happy New Year.

Tourists from Mainland China take photos of the Falun Gong gathering.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises of Falun Gong in front of the former British Consulate.

Falun Gong group exercise practice in front of the former British Consulate catches the attention of tourists from China.

In the early morning, practitioners did the exercises in front of the former British Consulate in Takow. The practitioners later gathered in front of the Kaohsiung Harbor and took a group photo and video. With hands pressed together in front of the chest in the “Heshi” gesture of respect, they called out in unison, “Wishing Revered Master a Happy New Year!”

Tourists from China Take Photos of Falun Gong Activities

A group of Chinese tourists from Jiangsu Province, China stopped to watch the Falun Gong activities and take photos. A man his 20s commented, “Actually, we all know that Falun Gong is a good practice.”

While the practitioners were calling out greetings, a man used his cellphone to call his family in China so that they could hear it firsthand. He shouted, “So many Falun Gong practitioners are here wishing their Master a Happy New Year!”

Grateful to Master Li

Mr. Kuo, director of the Divine Land Marching Band

Mr. Kuo has led the Falun Gong Divine Land Marching Band in hundreds of parades in Taiwan and overseas.

“At every parade we join, we hope to show people the beauty of Falun Gong,” said Mr. Kuo, “I have witnessed so many miracles, both in the improvements to my own health and in the changes in others I have met.”

Faculty and students from National Sun Yat-sen University wish Master Li a Happy New Year.

Dozens of faculty and students from National Sun Yat-sen University came to wish Master Li a Happy New Year. Sophomore Su Cheng said that he became calmer and more clearheaded after took up Falun Gong.

“My chronic headache and stomach pain are gone because of the practice. I am more considerate and willing to help others. My mother and my classmates could see the changes in me. They think highly of Falun Gong.”

Fen works in the administrator’s office. She learned about Falun Gong from a coworker and introduced the practice to her husband and son.

“There is so much pressure when having to deal with large amounts of money each day. I would often lose sleep. Now I can just lay down and sleep soundly. Also, my damaged knees can now function normally. I no longer feel irritable and impatient when the semester starts. I am able to be genuinely kind to the students and their parents. I thank Master for everything.”

Yuhan, a retired teacher, says Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the best teaching standard.

Yuhan is a retired elementary school teacher. She came to the event with her son. When she was still teaching, she received many honors from the Bureau of Education.

“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the best teaching standard. I have benefitted greatly and my students have as well. I want to thank Master,” she said