Confusion Clears and Hostility Melts: Conversations Over Five Years With a Chinese Student in Paris

(Minghui.org) Printemps Haussmann, an elegant department store in Paris, stands as a Parisian icon attracting nearly 20 million visitors a year from across the globe, including many from China. As a Falun Gong practitioner, I regularly visit the store to share the true story of the practice with people—especially Chinese tourists—so that they may break away from the lies spread by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

One day in early January this year, I was chatting with people as usual outside the store. Most pedestrians walked slowly because a recent snow had begun to melt, leaving puddles of water on the road here and there. Suddenly, a young Chinese man approached me quickly and stopped in front of me. “Auntie, I am here today to say sorry,” he said. “You may not remember me, but I pass this place every now and then. We have also spoken a few times.”

His name is Chen. Tomorrow he would leave Paris and work in a distant city. “That is why I want to apologize to you today for the offensive remarks I have made in the past few years,” he explained. In his own words, he then described the details of several encounters we had experienced together.

* * *

Negative Thoughts in the Beginning

Five years ago, I left a major city in China and moved to Paris to continue my studies. One day, while visiting Printemps Haussmann, I was surprised to see a group of Chinese people holding banners and posters. Curious about what was going on, I moved closer and noticed a banner that said, “The world needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” I realized it was Falun Gong.

Since elementary and middle school, my teachers told us many negative things about Falun Gong. Unaware it was all propaganda, I believed them. Then, outside of Printemps Haussmann, you tried to give me a brochure about Falun Gong. Not wanting to take it, I pushed it back, and it fell on the ground. I didn’t care and just left.

After that, I often saw you whenever I passed that way. But I chose to walk on the other the side to avoid you. One time, I happened to walk by again. You called out and said, “Young man, how are you? Are you a tourist or are you here to study?”

Again, I tried to ignore you, just said,“Nonsense,” and walked away. Looking back at those two encounters, I am ashamed of myself for my ignorance.

Learning the Facts

On a few occasions, I saw you chatting with the Chinese tourists. Some of them were thankful and even held your hand to bid farewell. I was confused and thought, "Well, maybe Falun Gong is not bad after all."

My workplace is not far away from Printemps Haussmann, and I often walk past this area. One day last summer, we ran into each other again. You greeted me and asked, “Are you from China?”

This time I replied politely, “Yes, I came here to study. I have graduated already and started work.”

When you asked me if I had quit the CCP organizations, I said I had not. You then asked me, “You know, when a person joins the CCP, its Youth League, or Young Pioneers, one has to raise a fist during the initiation ceremony, and swear to devote one’s life to the Party. Right?” I agreed.

I still remember what you told me that day: “In the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx referred to communism as ‘a specter haunting Europe.’ This is not accidental as various literature has revealed Marx had ties to Satanism. Unfortunately, communism was later forced upon China and has harmed so many people in numerous political campaigns,” you explained. “We Chinese people have our roots. So, how can we betray our traditions and sell our soul to such a vicious specter?”

Your words shocked me as I had never thought about these things before. But they made sense and I agreed to withdraw from the CCP’s Youth League and Young Pioneer. That same day, you gave me a copy of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, and I read it twice. The historical facts it revealed shocked me—the CCP had indeed killed many innocent lives and destroyed traditional Chinese culture. Even the pandemic was caused by the CCP virus, and it harmed the entire world.

Auntie, when thinking back, I feel so fortunate to have left China and learned the facts here. People inside China cannot learn the truth, because the Party only feeds them lies.

* * *

At Our Own Expense

I was very touched by Chen’s words and we continued chatting. “After quitting the CCP organizations, I often glanced here whenever passing by this place,” he continued. “I often saw you and other practitioners talking with Chinese tourists.” I nodded affirmatively, since I do come here by subway every day.

“Auntie, if you don’t mind. I have another question. Over the past five years, I have seen you here rain or shine—it is a tremendous effort. Also, I am sure you have met people like me who gave you a hard time. But you were able to always remain calm. So, why are doing all this? Are you getting paid, say, based on the number of people you talk to?”

I shook my head. “No one pays us a penny. We all do this of our own volition,” I explained. “You know, just for the subway alone, I have to pay over 90 euros a month.”

Chen was shocked and wide-eyed, as if wondering why I would do that.

I continued, “Every family has its own problems—health, conflicts, and financial difficulty, you name it. With five sets of exercises and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Falun Gong has brought health and happiness to tens of millions of families. Isn’t it a miracle and something good for our society?” 

Chen listened as I went on: “But the CCP and its former leader Jiang Zemin have ignored this since they just want to control people’s minds. As a result, they have suppressed Falun Gong since July 1999. In the past 27 years, a large number of practitioners have been arrested, detained, and imprisoned. Some experienced torture, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting.

“Having experienced or witnessed the benefits of Dafa, we feel obliged to share with people what Falun Gong really is,” I explained. “Plus, when the majority of Chinese people blindly believe the hate propaganda against Falun Gong from the CCP, they may face consequences when the CCP meets its fate. That is why practitioners in China are risking their lives telling people the facts, and we are doing the same overseas.”

Farewell

Chen was very touched to hear this. “Thank you, Auntie. I am glad I got to talk with you again today before I leave to work in another city. I am also happy to learn more today. You also explained why you are doing this. To me, Falun Gong is really extraordinary—you practitioners are doing this for others and sacrificing for others.”

I smiled and replied, “Thank you. Including you, more than 450 million Chinese people have now severed ties with the CCP organizations.”

“If someone could record all of this in a book, it would be a very important chronicle—a legend of our era,” Chen said. “I believe this book will endure throughout history and continue to inspire future generations.”

I nodded and said, “Since you are outside of China, please feel free to visit the Falun Dafa website and Minghui.org website to read Zhuan Falun, Falun Gong’s main teachings. You will understand much more.

“If possible, please also tell your family and friends to keep in mind ‘Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.’ That will bring you safety and blessings,” I added.

Chen bowed to me and said, “Thank you, Auntie, I will remember this.”

As I looked at the melting snow on the road and the rising sun, I felt relieved and happy for Chen. It took five years for his mind to become clear and his hostility toward Falun Gong melt. But we practitioners have to do better—there are many more people out there like Chen who need to hear the facts and know the truth—embracing a better future.