Taiwan: “I Hope One Day We Can See a Scene Like This in China”

(Minghui.org) About 5,000 Falun Dafa practitioners held a large-scale formation of Chinese characters and did the exercises at Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 17, 2026. The spectacular scene drew the attention of many passersby. A visitor from China said, “I hope one day we can see a scene like this in China.”

Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises at Liberty Square in Taipei on October 17, 2026. (Minghui.org)

Many people take photos of the spectacular sight. (Minghui.org)

Chinese People Express Hope

Ms. Xu from Beijing stood with her husband at a vantage point overlooking the square. As she watched the character formation, a warm smile lit up her face. “This is my first time seeing so many Falun Dafa practitioners in Taiwan,” she said. “The atmosphere here feels completely different—nature and people are in perfect harmony. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. It feels as though the entire place is shimmering with a golden light.”

When she learned that photos of previous character formations are available on the Internet, Xu pointed out that in China, unless one takes the initiative to get around the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) information censorship to search for such content, it is difficult for ordinary people to see these images. “Because in China, real information isn’t something that just comes at you directly. We have to bypass the firewall to see it,” Ms. Xu said.

Her husband is from Taiwan, and the couple resides in Beijing. Her husband added, “Taiwan is a free place.”

Gazing into the distance, Ms. Xu gently said, “How I hope that one day we can see a scene like this in China—one where everyone is free to do whatever they choose, and to believe in whatever they wish.”

Shen, from Jiangsu Province in China, kept taking pictures of this spectacular scene with his phone. It was his final day traveling in Taiwan, and he was set to depart around noon.

Observing the practitioners who sat so still despite the scorching sun, Shen pointed to the words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” on the brochure he held and said, “This must be Forbearance, right?”

About Falun Dafa, he said, “I agree with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and I also believe the practice itself is good. It’s just that some bad individuals may engage in illegal acts, such as committing self-immolation.”

He was told that killing or committing suicide are explicitly prohibited in Falun Dafa books. A practitioner also told him about the many inconsistencies in the footage of the self-immolation incident, an event that, following investigation from many experts and international media outlets, has been confirmed as a staged hoax orchestrated by the CCP. Upon hearing this, Shen paused, a look of sudden realization on his face, and he nodded.

Taiwanese People Praise the Display of Peaceful Strength

Peng, who lingered on the steps for a long time, said that this was the first time he’s seen the large-scale character formation. “I get the sense that they share a common belief, the one that inspires a profound willingness to give of themselves, whether through physical exertion or other forms of endurance.”

Observing how the thousands of practitioners were calm and serene despite the sweltering heat, he noted with admiration, “This requires a great deal of endurance. They must be guided by a philosophy that sustains them in participating in an event in such a way.”

Among those busy taking photos and videos with their phones was Zhang, a retiree. He originally planned to meet friends for some exercise that morning, but he unexpectedly encountered the remarkable scene. “I rarely see a gathering of such a large scale in Taipei,” he said. “The fact that they are willing to stand out here under the blazing sun—that’s truly impressive.”

Zhang also said that freedom of belief is taken for granted in Taiwan. “Whether it’s Buddhism or Christianity, people are free to gather and express their ideas. As long as they don’t break the law, they are free to do as they please. I truly hope that Taiwan can continue to preserve this freedom.”

Wang, who was attending a concert at the National Concert Hall, watched the magnificent sight of thousands of people forming characters while he waited to enter the venue. He said that he’s previously seen practitioners collecting signatures at Taipei Main Station, calling for an end to the persecution. Today he saw them forming characters and learned that practitioners also hope, via this activity, that more people will pay attention to and stop the CCP’s persecution of faith. “I think this spirit is very much in line with the essence of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and I think it’s very meaningful,” he said.

A grandmother, her son, and her grandson and granddaughter sat near the square. The grandmother said they accompanied the grandfather, who was participating in the character formation.

The grandmother, Ms. Xu, said that her husband has practiced Falun Dafa for many years. “He used to have a very impatient temper and wasn’t much help with looking after children. Since he began practicing, he has become gentle-tempered and also helps care for the children.”

Ms. Xu, a former elementary school teacher, does not practice Falun Dafa, but she said Falun Dafa’s principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, deeply resonate with her.

“I brought my grandchildren here to help broaden their horizons,” she said. “It can be challenging to teach today’s children. This environment is the best form of education. I hope that by being here, they can learn Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and grow up to be kindhearted individuals.”

Tourists Praise the Character Formation

Chris Caldwell from the UK is a retail media marketing manager. He stood on one side of the square and watched the character formation.

He said that it’s important for practitioners to use such a peaceful way to convey important ideas. “They’ve adopted an approach that is more visual than auditory. You can see it. I think that’s excellent and it’s wonderful to see. This kind of peaceful expression is of great importance in any country.”

Talking about the difference between Taiwan and China, Caldwell explained his perspective, “I lived in China for about four years, and I know that such freedom does not exist there. People cannot even post on social media or speak out publicly against the government. So I’m very well aware of the differences.”

Jeff, a small business owner from Salt Lake City in the United States, came to Taiwan to study Chinese. Having arrived just a day earlier, he was pleasantly surprised to see this large-scale activity taking place at Liberty Square.

Jeff said that he's met many Falun Dafa practitioners in the US, and he has also attended a Shen Yun performance. “The practitioners I met were all very peaceful, helpful and kind.”

Standing at the edge of the square and looking out at the thousands of practitioners, he said that the word “unity” came to mind. “Believe in a principle, and then demonstrate that conviction through a collective and unified effort,” he said.

He very much agrees with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said, “Such principles are beneficial to humanity and can bring happiness and meaning to one’s life.”

Talking about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa, Jeff said that it only serves to erode public trust in the government and cause it to lose people’s support. Observing practitioners standing firm in the sweltering heat, he wanted to tell them, “Don’t give up, keep going!”

The large-scale event at Liberty Square, where practitioners formed characters while doing the exercises, concluded peacefully under the brilliant sunshine. People took away more than just photos. Some said they also observed the strength derived from the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance—a reflection of the profound, innate human yearning to cherish kindness and freedom.