(25 Jul 1999) Mandarin/Nat
Small groups of protesters congregated near China's central leadership compound, the day after the popular Falun Gong meditation sect was banned as a threat to political order.
The Chinese government made the decision following three days of attempted protests by Falun Gong members.
The ban includes all Falun Gong activities -- including simple meditation exercises the group's followers hold in local parks.
Perhaps in a response to the likely charges from the foreign media that the ban is an infringement of religious freedom, China's Vice Minister of Civil Affairs held a conference in Beijing on Friday to explain the decision.
The growing power of Falun Gong has been a major preoccupation of the Chinese government since ten thousand or more people gathered at the government leaders compound -- known as Zhongnanhai -- on April 25th.
Since then, leaders of the now-outlawed group have been arrested and a public campaign condemning superstition has been launched.
During a conference on Friday morning, China's Vice Minister of Civil Affairs claimed that the leaders of Falun Gong have been misleading their followers and inciting them to commit illegal actions in his defense of the government's decision.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"After the incident, the government departments concerned have meticulously, tirelessly, earnestly and reasonably educated and persuaded the Falun Gong practitioners. However, the plotters and core members of the Falun Gong organizations have not only refused to pull in their horns, but have also stepped up their efforts to plot illegal activities, fabricate rumors to mislead people and stirred up trouble."
SUPER CAPTION: Li Baoku, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs
While Falun Gong leaders estimate their membership at some 70 million people, the Chinese government denies they have so large a following.
Authorities claim that there are only two million or so members in China and that their numbers are decreasing.
Even so, the government clearly saw Falun Gong as enough of a threat to ban its practice and has arrested some of its leaders.
Large groups of Falun Gong members have descended on the capital in recent days to protest their leaders' arrests.
But the Chinese government gave assurances that those detained would be dealt with lightly, since it views them as being victims of what it portrays as a brainwashing cult.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"For the ordinary practitioners of Falun Gong, as long as they voluntarily disengage themselves from the Falun Gong group, draw a line between themselves and the group, refrain form attending any activities organised by the group and also try to safeguard social stability on their own initiative, then our policy is that none of
them will be held accountable."
SUPER CAPTION: Li Baoku, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs
Life in Beijing's parks seemed normal as ever on Friday morning with large groups of elderly citizens gathering for their daily exercises.
But signs announcing the ban of Falun Gong attracted the attention of many.
China's parks are bustling with activity in the early morning as people engage in numerous forms of health exercises.
With so many different varieties to choose from, many people still say they have never even tried Falun Gong.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
1st woman: "We don't know, we've never practiced it."
2nd woman: "We've never practiced it."
1st woman: "All these years, we've been here practicing Bajiacao (a type of health exercise)."
SUPER CAPTION: Two old women, vox-pop
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
