World Falun Dafa Day Celebrations in the Asia-Pacific Region

Falun Dafa Minghui.org www.minghui.org PRINT

World Falun Dafa Day Celebrations in the Asia-Pacific Region

May 13, 2016 | By Minghui correspondent Xia Chuqing and Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2016 is the 17th World Falun Dafa Day and the 24th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. It is also the birthday of Falun Gong founder Master Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) practitioners across the world celebrate World Falun Dafa Day every year and appreciate Master Li for publicly introducing the practice. In this article, celebration events in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore are presented.

Celebration Held in Melbourne, Australia—Government Officials Give Speeches

Falun Gong practitioners held a celebration at City Square in Melbourne on the afternoon of May 7, 2016. Several elected officials gave speeches during the rally and commended practitioners for their uncompromising courage amidst the persecution.

The Divine Land Marching Band performs at City Square in Melbourne, Australia on May 7, 2016, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

The waist drum team performs at City Square in Melbourne, Australia on May 7, 2016, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Performance by Falun Gong practitioners draws local residents and tourists to watch.

Crowds of people gathered at City Square during the event. Practitioners decorated the event venue with a large lotus flower, colorful balloons, and eye-catching banners. They demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, performed dancing and music, and shared their experiences in practicing Falun Gong. They also talked to people to raise awareness about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution and called for support to stop the persecution. Passersby and tourists paused to watch the performance and listen to speeches. Many signed a petition calling for bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Signing a petition to support Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the persecution.

Federal Senator Janet Rice speaks at the rally. She said everyone should follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Victoria State Senator Bernie Finn gives a speech during the rally. He pointed out that the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong must stop, and that everyone, including the people of China, should have basic human rights.

Gerard Flood, treasurer of the Democratic Labor Party, said he was happy to participate in the event, and said he admired practitioners' efforts to introduce Falun Gong to the public.

Bon Nguyen, chairman of the Victoria Vietnamese Community, is a friend of State Senator Bernie Finn.

Bon Nguyen, chairman of the Victoria Vietnamese Community, gave a speech at the rally. He said, “In China, Falun Gong practitioners keep their belief. They are not wrong. But this innocent and peaceful group is being brutally persecuted. They are tortured and even killed. I support Falun Gong practitioners' effort against the persecution. I am fortunate to participate in this event. I call on Australian citizens to speak out towards the CCP regime to stop the persecution.”

Dr. Rachel Carling-Jenkins of Victoria, State MP, sent a greeting letter to the practitioners and thanked them for their valuable contribution to the Victoria community.

Well-known classic music educator Barry Quinn.

Well-known classic music educator Barry Quinn is 80 years old. He walked around in the downtown area and enjoyed the practitioners' performance. He said happily, “There is no other belief group from ancient to present like you, using delightful manner to spread the fortune. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values. More people should know it and be aware of the persecution in China.”

Federal MP Participates in the Celebration in Sydney, Australia

Federal MP Craig Kelly, a member of Friends of Falun Gong, in Australian Parliament, sent a greeting letter to the Sydney Falun Dafa Association in early May. He participated in the celebration in Hyde Park, in Sydney, on May 7, 2016, and posed for a group photo with practitioners.

Group photo of Federal MP Craig Kelly and Falun Gong practitioners celebrating World Falun Dafa Day in Sydney, Australia.

MP Craig Kelly gives a speech.

Greeting letter from MP Craig Kelly.

He stated in his letter, “The Australian Falun Dafa practitioners have brought great cultural and spiritual enrichment to Australia and the Australian people. They contribute significantly to the promotion of mutual respect and understanding as well as cultural diversity in Australia.

“Though many practitioners around the world face persecution, their steadfast practice and determination to stand up for their traditional values with strength and dignity serves as an inspiration to all of us.”

He concluded, “I thank Falun Dafa practitioners for the valuable and tireless contribution they all make to our community. I wish them a most enjoyable celebration and commend them on their outstanding efforts.”

Celebration Held in Auckland, New Zealand

Practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day at Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand on May 7, 2016. The Divine Land Marching Band and waist drum team performed during the event, and drew many passersby to watch. Some practitioners distributed information materials and raised awareness about the persecution.

Celebration of World Falun Dafa Day held at Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand on May 7, 2016.

Exercise demonstration.

Performance by the Divine Land Marching Band.

Dancing and music performances.

The celebration drew many passersby, who paused to learn about Falun Gong.

Governmental officials, including Prime Minister John Key, Vice Prime Minister Bill English, Minister Peter Dunne of the Interior, Head of Maori Coalition Party Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell, and Louisa Wall, spokesperson of the Labor Party Human Rights Affairs, gave best wishes to the practitioners.

Some Chinese visitors learned about Falun Gong and the persecution at the event. Two Chinese tour groups passed by the venue. Some of the tourists renounced the Party and its affiliated organizations. A total of 19 Chinese people quit the Party on the spot.

Celebration Held in Malaysia

Falun Gong practitioners in Malaysia held a series of events to celebrate the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day. They held a parade, group practice, and awareness raising activities. A parade was held in Taman Muda Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia on May 2.

The parade started at 12:15 p.m., with the Divine Land Marching Band leading the procession. Practitioners held large banners worded “The 24th Anniversary of Falun Dafa Public Introduction,” “World Falun Dafa Day,” “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” and “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” In the procession were a fairy dancer team, lion dancing, waist drum team, and an exercise demonstration team. Spectators seemed pleased while watching the parade.

Falun Gong practitioners hold parade in Taman Muda Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia on May 2, 2016, to celebrate the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day.

Elder resident Mr. Liang, in his seventies, was pleased to see the parade. Another elder resident Ms. Jian became aware of the persecution after watching the parade, and signed the petition to support the lawsuits against former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin. Another local resident, Mr. Wang, said after watching the parade, “You have high morale. Everyone is happy. The sunshine is so strong. But you still come out to hold the parade. I admire you.”

A passerby listens to a practitioner explain the issues.

Practitioners went to Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, a well-known tourist destination in Kuala Lumpur, to hold a group exercise practice on May 8, 2016. Their peaceful five-set exercises drew the attention of people coming to the park. Many passersby took informational materials to read, and some learned the Falun Gong exercises on the spot. Many signed the petition to help stop the CCP's live organ harvesting and report Jiang's crimes in the persecution.

Falun Gong practitioners held a group exercise practice in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, in Kuala Lumpur on May 8, 2016.

Passersby take Falun Gong informational materials to read.

Celebration Held in Singapore

Falun Gong practitioners held a group practice, a photo exhibition, and an art performance to celebrate the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day in Hong Lim Park in Singapore on May 9, 2016. They expressed their gratitude to Master Li and wished him a happy birthday.

Group photo of Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Lim Park in Singapore celebrating the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day.

Group practice of Falun Gong exercises.

A passerby listens to a practitioner's explanation of Falun Gong.

A group of practitioners set up an area to collect signatures to support the lawsuits against Jiang Zemin. Many passersby paused to sign the petition to help in bringing him to justice.

Ms. Ceng, who comes from China to Singapore to see a doctor, saw the celebration event in the park. She signed the petition after listening to a practitioner explain the persecution. She said she heard of Falun Gong in China, but did not know much about it. After hearing the explanation, she expressed interest and wished to read Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Gong, during her stay in Singapore.

New immigrant Raghav from India praised the celebration events that informed him about Falun Gong. He signed the petition and said he hoped to help stop the CCP's live organ harvesting.

James, a local resident, signed the petition to report Jiang's crimes. He said, “I am very sympathetic towards those being persecuted. I support human rights. Killing at will is very cruel and terrible.”

A tourist named Collen from Denmark sat down and watched the event. She said, “I support any exercise beneficial to health.” She signed the petition and left words in a guest book, “I support freedom of speech that promotes health and welfare.”