(Minghui.org) “Happy Chinese New Year! Falun Dafa is great!” Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) practitioners called out to the audience after performing on stage at the Chinese New Year celebration on Centenary Square in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia, on February 19, 2016.

They played the waist drums and performed a lion dance on stage at 5:30 p.m. Crowds of people attended the local event in Parramatta, the busiest business center in Sydney.

Falun Gong practitioners ended their performance by calling out, “Happy Chinese New Year! Falun Dafa is great!”

Chinese Australian City Councilor: Falun Gong Adds Color to Our Diverse Cultures

John Hugh, a Parramatta City Council member, is a Chinese Australian. Dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, he said, “We are here today to celebrate the Chinese New Year and to demonstrate our culture. We appreciate every group, including Falun Gong. We welcome people from different cultures to join us to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

“All people of different cultural backgrounds are equal. We welcome Falun Gong practitioners' performance of traditional Chinese dance. They add color to our diverse cultures.”

Mr. Hugh mentioned that he knew about the persecution of Falun Gong in China and said that freedom of belief should be respected.

Local Residents Commend Falun Gong Performance

Local residents Naga Narenbran, who immigrated from Sri Lanka; his son Sangay; his daughter-in-law; and his granddaughter enjoyed the drums and dances.

“We really liked it,” said Naga. “My granddaughter even waved her hands and danced. Their presentation of traditional Chinese culture is great.” About the female waist drum team, he commented, “Very vibrant! Very nice!

“I've often seen Falun Gong practitioners stage peaceful protests here. I wish the Chinese Communist regime would end the persecution. I hope they have freedom of belief some day.”

Naga (middle) wishes the persecution of Falun Gong would end.

Leon, an immigrant from the Philippines, said, “I enjoyed the Falun Gong practitioners' lion dance and waist drums. My three-year-old granddaughter said she really liked the lion dance. She initially thought there were real lions on stage. I told her they were just pretend lions.”

Leon, who has known about Falun Gong for a long time, was impressed. He said, “I've seen practitioners do their exercises together here. They've also held events to raise awareness about the persecution. They are very good people. I like them.”