Taiwan: Clarifying the Truth Comprehensively to the Precious Chinese People (Photos)

Twelve years of Taiwan practitioners' anti-persecution and truth clarification activities
 
By Clearwisdom correspondent Zheng Yuyan from Taiwan
 
(Clearwisdom.net) Millions of practitioners have been persecuted in China since since July 20, 1999. Taiwan has the most practitioners, second only to China. Taiwan practitioners have been taking advantage of their own convenient methods, including mailing, faxing, Internet chatting, and calling. to convey the truth of Falun Gong to millions of households in China. The Taiwan government openly welcomed the Chinese tourists in 2008. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have regularly been seen at the famous tourist attractions, and have become the most important features of those places.

Chinese tourists watch truth-clarifying videos. Mr. Guo, an elderly practitioner, helps a tourist to quit the CCP

Chinese tourists watch truth-clarifying videos

No matter what method is used, practitioners who clarify the truth have similar experiences. In the beginning, most Chinese people lacked a channel to obtain factual information, and believed the slanderous stories about Falun Gong fabricated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They refused to listen to the truth, and were hostile toward practitioners. After years of truth clarification efforts from the practitioners inside and outside China, the situation has improved a great deal. More and more people are thankful for being told the truth.

Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) is a high-level cultivation practice guided by the characteristics of the universe—Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, are undeniable.

The practice was very well received in China. At the Eastern Health World Expo held in China in 1993, the hosting committee granted the highest recognition, including "Pioneering Science," "Special Golden Award," and "Most Popular Qigong Master" to Mr. Li Hongzhi. According to an early 1999 Chinese government report, about 70-100 million people were practicing Falun Gong at that time.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party launched the brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Jiang Zemin, the former CCP leader, issued many secret orders, including "Death of Falun Gong practitioners from beating is nothing and shall be counted as suicide," "The body shall be directly cremated without investigating the person's identification," "Defame their reputations, bankrupt them financially, and destroy them physically." The campaign has since grown in violence and scope, with millions having been detained in forced labor camps. The persecution has not only targeted Falun Gong practitioners' beliefs in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, but is also an attempt to destroy society's moral principles and spiritual values. Therefore, practitioners throughout the world have been explaining the facts about Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

Chinese Tourists Learn the Truth

There are many popular tourist attractions in Taipei, including the Taipei 101 Observatory, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum, and CKS Shilin Residence Park. Falun Gong practitioners are regularly seen at these tourist destinations. They have introduced the practice and exposed the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong to the tourists from China. More and more Chinese tourists are learning the truth there.

Chinese tourists listen to a practitioner and view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists listen to a practitioner and view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

A tourist from Shenyang was taking photos of the flowers in front of the Taipei 101 gate on Hsinyi Road on June 19, 2011. He took one picture after another from the same angle and didn't want to leave. Ms. Song Xiu'er noticed him and went to talk to him, “It's a rare opportunity that you come to visit Taiwan. If you have joined the CCP and its affiliated organizations, swore in front of the Party flag and promised to sacrifice yourself for the CCP, you should take this opportunity to quit. It will ensure your safety.” He agreed, “Yes. Yes.” Ms. Song asked, “How about quitting the CCP using the name Qinghai?” He looked happy and said, “Good. Good.” Ms. Song said to him, “I wish you a safe trip. Please do remember this name.” The tourist left happily.

Falun Gong practitioners exercise in front of the Palace Museum

Ms. Meiru goes to the National Palace Museum to clarity the truth every day. She said, “During mid-June, a group of about 30 tourists wanted to take a group picture, and asked for my help. In order to get a good shot, the tour guide asked the group, “Is Taiwan beautiful?” The group answered, “Beautiful!” The tour guide asked again, “Is the watermelon sweet?” The group answered, “Sweet!” I asked the third question, “Is Falun Dafa great?” The group answered, “Great!”

Happiness of New Birth

Several months ago, a man who was in his forties was wandering around the display boards and looked anxious. He said, “I want to quit too. But I have never participated in anything. I don't know what to do.” Ms. Meiru went to talk to him, “If you joined the Young Pioneer when you were young, that is also a CCP-affiliated organization and part of the CCP. Have you ever join it?” He answered, “Yes. I did.” Ms. Meiru said, “Let me help you quit.” He was so happy to hear this and nodded his head, “Good. Good.” He looked as happy as a child and quickly leaped down stairs. He ignored the stares of the others and murmured, “I quit! I quit!”

Ms. Ma shared another story with us. At noon on April 27, 2011, a fallen tree had hit a train traveling from Shenmu Station to Alishan Station. As a result, four rail-cars derailed from the track and overturned. Five people died and eighty four were injured. Several days later, a group of Chinese tourists told her with excitement, “All of us quit already! Our rail-car was safe in the train accident. We're lucky that we quit before the accident. It truly ensured our safety!”

Tourist Guides Learn the Truth

Ms. Meiru told us that some tour guides asked the reason for helping people to quit the CCP. They thought we were dealing with politics. Ms. Meiru asked them, “Do you believe that karmic retribution is the law of nature?” The tour guides said yes. Ms. Meiru said, “Falun Gong is based on the law of the universe. The CCP has organized so many campaigns and killed 80 million people since it came to power. Hasn't it already reached the point of being punished? The CCP is still persecuting the Falun Gong practitioners with brutal means. It is beyond evil. Whether the CCP will collapse or not is it's own business. The only thing we care about is that good people not be implicated by the CCP. That's why we are here to help people quit the CCP regardless of the hot weather. This is to give them a chance to remove the mark of being a CCP member and ensure their safety. They are showing it to the heaven and the gods. The gods value the sincerity of quitting the army of evil. That's the reason why an assumed name works as long as you are sincere.”

More and more tour guides have learned the truth. They let their tourist groups rest, take photos and read the truth-clarifying materials at the truth-clarification sites. They also allow practitioners to help the tourists quit the CCP. Some tour guides have read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and told Ms. Meiru, “I truly admire you guys!” Similar reactions have also been received at other truth-clarification sites.

Truth-clarification materials in front of CKS Shilin Residence Park draw many Chinese tourists

A group of tourists arrived at the CKS Shilin Residence Park in late June. A young tour guide stood in front of the truth-clarification boards and told the tourists, “I suggest you come to Taiwan to see different things and accept different things other than what is in China.” Another tour guide pointed to the place where the truth-clarification boards are located and told the tourists, “There's shade over there. You can rest over there while waiting for the bus to come.”

Chinese tourists take the Nine Commentaries

Ms. Yao Shuhua, a shoe store employee, comes to the CKS Shilin Residence Park every day before work to do the exercises and clarify the truth. She told us a story, “One female tour guide didn't like practitioners handing out truth-clarification materials in the beginning. After visiting several tourist attractions, she learned the truth and changed her attitude. She once said to Ms. Yao, “You don't need to say too much. I told them 'Falun Dafa is great' on the bus.” She told the tourists, “I told the practitioners not to disturb you guys. You can read those truth-clarification materials carefully. I tell you, Falun Dafa is great. Do some reading and you will know.”

Another female tour guide once called the police angrily to stop practitioners from handing out truth-clarifying materials, and she refused to listen to the practitioners. Three months later, she came to the CKS Shilin Residence Park with a group. Her attitude had totally changed. She sat beside Ms. Yao and chatted with her. She said, “The pens you guys made are well done. If it's inconvenient for you to hand them out on the tour bus, I can do it for you.” The truth-clarification material ejects when a ring on the pen is pulled.

Knowing the Truth Brings Good Luck

Ms. Chen Yuting, a retiree, comes to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to clarify the truth every day. She told us about a male tour guide who has been very supportive with his tour groups learning the truth. The tour guide told her, “Last year, we passed Kaohsiung City, and then Typhoon Fanapi came and Kaohsiung was flooded. We passed Taimali township in Taitung County, then the Taimali Bridge went out. It was dreadful! But we were so lucky!” Ms. Chen told him, “It was because you supported justice and know that Falun Dafa is great. The gods have been blessing you. I hope you tell other tour guides your story.”

Chinese tourists view the truth-clarification materials at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Ms. Chen said that many tour guides led groups of tourists to the location where the truth-clarification materials were established and told the tourists, “All these materials are free to take. You can take them if you want. If you don't want to, you don't have to. It's up to you. However, please remember that Falun Gong is legal. You should know that.” The tourists usually view the posters or read the pamphlets happily. Some of them shout “Falun Dafa is great!” when passing the truth-clarification sites. Some people said, “I'm envious of the freedom in Taiwan. I want to move to Taiwan.”

Opportunity for People Inside China

For many Chinese people who don't have the opportunity to go abroad, practitioners clarify the truth to them via phone calls and the Internet. They still have the opportunity to learn the truth and make their own choices.

Practitioners in front of the computer clarifying truth over the Internet. Ms. Yan Jinzhu, left, and Ms. Chen Yuexia, right.

Ms. Chen Yuexia, 75, has been practicing Dafa for more than ten years. She had suffered from many kinds of diseases, including sciatica, stomachache, internal hemorrhoids, and bloody stools. She had been tormented by illnesses for most of her life. All the Chinese and western medications were of no help. She started practicing Falun Gong at age 65, and her illnesses disappeared within a few months. She said, “I have experienced the feeling of no illnesses for the first time.”

Ms. Chen benefited from Dafa, and she felt obligated to tell people about the goodness of Dafa, and about the venomous slander by the CCP and the brutal persecution of Dafa. People inside China especially need to know the truth to avoid being implicated in the CCP's crimes. With her daughter's help, she provided her vacant house to use for truth-clarification over the Internet work eight years ago. She learned how to use a computer and clarify the truth via the Internet from ground zero. She said, “In the past two years, the number of people quitting the CCP has varied from eight to 20 each day. They always thank me. A few people were afraid of the network police and would swear at the end of our conversations. I would send more information to them until they truly knew the truth, and I helped them quit.”

Live Media

Ms. Yan Jinzhu worked for her family business and has been clarifying the truth via the Internet for many years. She said, “Many people know the truth today. Some people ask to quit the CCP as soon as they log on. Some people quit after a short conversation. People who truly know the truth serve as living media. One young man had a good conversation with us. After he quit the CCP, I told him that many people might not have the chance to use the Internet, and he could help them by spreading the truth. I asked him to send me a list of those who want to quit. He helped his classmates, colleagues, friends, family, and others to quit. He helped 300 people to quit at once.”

Ms. Yan said, “There are many good Chinese people. A woman from Anhui Province has been in contact with us for a while. She often helped her friends and classmates to quit. We were blocked by the CCP for several days and she was worried about us.”

Helping the Evil Will Not Ensure Safety

Ms. Xia Huixia retired a year ago. She has been calling Chinese people every day. She felt that many people are still waiting to learn the truth. The police officers especially need to know the truth to ensure their safety. Ms. Xia said, “Some police officers still arrest and persecute practitioners even though they have quit the CCP already.” Ms. Xia called those officers, “I helped you quit the CCP, but you're still doing bad deeds and arresting Falun Gong practitioners. Karmic retribution is the law of nature. You had quit the CCP in order to be blessed by the gods. But you are still helping the CCP by persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. You didn't want to quit the CCP from your heart. Do you think the gods will protect people despite their evil deeds?”

Ms. Xia Huixia making phone calls

The officer said that he did that for a living and he had no choice. Ms. Xia told him the story of an East German soldier who guarded the Berlin Wall. The soldier shot and killed a young man who was climbing the Berlin Wall. Alternatively he could open fire when ordered, but not necessarily hit the target. The soldier was sentenced in the end.

Good or Evil Deeds are Up to You

One police officer was worried about his name being on the investigation list of WOIPFG, the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. He called Ms. Xia often to ask her to tell him the truth and help remove his name from the list. Ms. Xia told him, “Whether your name is on the list doesn't depend on us, it depends on your own actions. Your name will not be on the list if you don't persecute Falun Gong. It's totally up to you. You shouldn't persecute Falun Gong practitioners anymore and redeem your sin by doing good deeds.” He replied, “Yes. Yes.”

These practitioners are clarifying the truth regardless of the hardships. They are speaking the same message, “No matter how glorious it looks, the CCP's evil character remains the same. The past 60 years of history has proven that.” Those primarily responsible for the persecution, including Jiang Zemin, have been sued in different countries for genocide and torture. More and more governments and organizations are calling for an end to the persecution and bringing those responsible to justice.

Posting date: 8/3/2011
Category: Truth Clarification to Save Sentient Beings
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/方方面面讲真相-为了可贵的中国人（图）-243994.html

Milestone: 100 Million Chinese People Have Quit the Chinese Communist Party and Its Affiliated Organizations (Photo)

By Caiju and Huang Kaili

(Clearwisdom.net) On August 7, 2011, the number of Chinese people who quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations through The Epoch Times website exceeded 100 million. This marked a historical day and a milestone that signifies that the Chinese people have awakened from the mind shackles of the CCP. It is also a symbol that the CCP is heading toward its end.

 

The Service Center for Quitting the CCP in New York celebrates 100 million people quitting the CCP.  

At 4:00 p.m on August 7, the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, headquartered in Flushing, New York, held a celebration. Over 100 volunteers from the Service Center held lanterns, balloons and banners written with “Celebrating 100 million people quitting the CCP.” Waist drummers with yellow clothing were dancing and singing. Many passersby were attracted to their celebration. One person was amazed and took a picture of the historical scene.

On November 19, 2004 The Epoch Times, an independent news outlet outside of China, published Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, a book which analyzed the CCP’s violent, deceptive nature and its antagonistic stance toward nature and humanity. The book quickly spread to every corner of China and all over the world and triggered the movement of Chinese people quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

Ms. Li is a volunteer at the Service Center in Flushing. She said, “I have volunteered for a year and helped 3328 people quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.”

US Senate Resolution 232 Supports the Movement of Quitting the CCP and Calls for An End to the Persecution

On July 14, 2011, the US Senate introduced bipartisan Resolution 232, which recognizes the Quit-the-CCP movement, whereby Chinese citizens renounce their ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations, and calls for an immediate end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

CIPFG: The CCP Faces Judgment from People of the World

Mr. Wang Zhiyuan, President of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG), said that it was the darkest day in human history 12 years ago on July 20 when the CCP launched the persecution of Falun Gong in China. “The CCP’s genocidal persecution of Falun Gong is the destruction of conscience of mankind. The CCP is heading toward disintegration because of the persecution. The people of the world have finally awakened from the CCP’s deceptions.”

Mr. Wang also warned the officials who actively participate in the persecution, asking them to stop immediately and confess their crimes.

Service Center in Los Angeles.: History and the People Choose to Eliminate the CCP

The volunteers at the Service Center for Quitting the CCP in Los Angeles held a celebration on August 7 as well. The spokesperson Ms. Li Hailun said at a rally that in the past, many have wondered and worried whether the trend of quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations could become large and maintain its growth. Ms. Li also said that the CCP has been threatening, intimidating and enticing and even physically attacking the volunteers at the service centers. It even tried to hack into the website that helps people to withdraw from the Party.

However, the CCP underestimates the power of the Nine Commentaries and human nature. “Six years have passed and the stream of quitting the CCP has become a powerful current that is comprised of over 100 million people. It is crystal clear that history and the people have chosen to eliminate the CCP,” said Ms. Li.

Zhang, a Falun Gong practitioner from China who just arrived in LA said that nowadays people in China live a difficult life whether they have money or not: “The CCP has destroyed the traditional Chinese culture and people’s morality. It has brainwashed its people to be greedy, and to fight and struggle against each other.” Zhang believes that the 100 million people who have quit the CCP organizations have clearly recognized the CCP’s evil nature.

Well-known commentator Mr. Wu Fan issued a congratulatory statement as he learned the number of withdrawals had exceeded 100 million. In the statement, Mr. Wu thanked the hardworking volunteers at the Service Centers, the Falun Gong practitioners, and the tens of millions of Chinese people who have worked quietly to help dissolve the CCP. “In the near future, you will win respect and admiration from the Chinese people and people of the world.”

Posting date: 8/10/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/8/9/一亿人三退是中国民众觉醒的新的里程碑（图）-245146.html

Grand Parade and Rally Held in Paris Celebrating the 100 Million Withdrawals from the Chinese Communist Party (Photos)

By a Falun Dafa practitioner from Paris France

Clearwisdom.net) On August 20, 2011, a large scale rally and parade were held in Belleville and the 13^th District in Paris, where many Chinese reside. Thousands of participants celebrated the more than 100 million Chinese people who quit Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. The Divine Land Marching Band, composed of Falun Gong practitioners, also performed at the event. Some Chinese people who watched the parade and rally decided to join the movement and declared their withdrawals.

Parade in Paris to celebrate 100 million withdrawals from the CCP

Divine Land Marching band of Europe 

Since the book Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party was published in 2004, a wave of quitting the Communist Party, Youth League and Young Pioneer started in China. As of August 7, 2011, the number of Chinese who had publicly renounced CCP and its affiliated organizations on the Epoch Times' website had reached 100 million.

Abandoning the CCP to obtain freedom in the heart

 

The rally started at noon. International Human Rights Association representative Mr. Wu Wenxin gave the opening speech. He expressed his respect for the 100 million Chinese who openly renounced the CCP and vowed to provide support to help more Chinese to join the movement. He said when more and more Chinese decide to quit the CCP, Youth League and Young Pioneers, the Party will collapse and a new China will emerge peacefully. 

Mr. Cheng Fa, a representative from the French Service Center for Quitting the CCP spoke about their work in Paris. The center is located near the Eiffel Tower, a must-see tourist site for thousands of Chinese tourists. The volunteers at the service center helps many Chinese to quit CCP every day. Cheng said that the CCP will be punished by heaven for its crimes against the Chines people. She said, “We hope more people will side with goodness and not be dragged down by the CCP on its way down. Quitting the CCP allows people to gain spiritual freedom from the CCP.” 

French MP Supports the Quitting CCP Movement

 

Member of the National Assembly of France Ms. Françoise Hostalier sent a letter of support to the event. In the letter, she promised to lend support for the movement. She wrote, “Even though I can't be there in person this weekend, my heart is with you.” 

Chinese Democracy Advocates Call People to Quit CCP

 

Former student leader during the student democracy movement that led to the 1989 Tiannamen Square Massacre and currently a democracy advocate Mr. Zhang Jian spoke at the rally calling Chinese people to quit CCP. 

He called on those who are still living in the shadow of Communist Party. “You live in France and you already have the residency in France. But why deep in your heart, are you so scared of the Chinese Communist Party ten thousand miles away? Think about it. Who abducted your mind? Who left such fear in your heart? That must be an evil villain.” 

“Why do we dare to condemn CCP here? Because we are out of its control. We have stepped into the sunshine and we represent the bright side.” 

President of the Democratic Party of China in France Mr. Wu Jiang praised Falun Gong, saying, “The Chinese Communist Party is an evil regime who lies to its people and kills its people. On the contrary, Falun Gong's principles are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. With the teaching of Falun Gong, the moral standard of Chinese people began to rise. But because of this, the CCP was afraid of Falun Gong and launched the persecution. But Falun Gong didn't give up. Falun Gong continues and grows. Falun Gong's contribution is also causing CCP to collapse. ” 

Parade

 

The grand parade started at 1p.m. Led by the Divine Land Marching Band, a large procession marched out of Belleville. The procession passed through areas with many Chinese stores and reached the Paris City Hall in two hours. 

At 4 p.m., the parade continued from Place d'Italie toward the 13^th District, which lasted about one hour. 

The grand parade attracted many local Chinese. Mr. Guan came to Paris from south China. He was very excited after watching the parade, “I am certainly excited,” he said, “This is an encouragement to Chinese. Chinese must be brave to step up and expose the (CCP's) bad things, otherwise many will be deceived. On the surface the CCP promised to give you human rights, but actually there are no human rights in China.” Guan decided to quit the CCP during the event. 

The parade ended at 6 p.m. During the parade, there were over 100 Chinese among the spectators who decided to withdraw from the CCP.

Posting date: 8/27/2011
Category: Rallies and Protests
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/8/24/巴黎大游行-贺一亿多中国人三退（图）-245823.html

Wroclaw, Poland: Signature Collection to Protest the Persecution of Falun Gong (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 9 and 10, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners from Poland gathered in Wroclaw City and introduced Falun Dafa to the local people. Wroclaw is the fourth largest city in southwest Poland. Before World War II, Wroclaw was famous as both a commercial and industrial city as well as a culturally German city.

Whole family members sign the petition to protest the persecution of Falun Gong

Introducing Falun Gong to passersby

A blind man (second from right) signs the petition

Local people sign the petition

In downtown Wroclaw Falun Gong practitioners handed out introductory brochures about Falun Gong to local citizens and tourists passing by, put up exhibition boards, and told the public that Falun Gong practitioners are still being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a horror that began 12 years ago. Several practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, and signature forms were placed on a nearby table.

Many passersby stop to study display boards, read the brochures carefully, or listen to practitioners tell about the ongoing persecution in China. People showed great indignation over the persecution. They signed the petitions to express their concern and say “Stop persecuting Falun Gong!”

When a family passing by found out about the persecution, the parents went straight to the table and signed the petition. The two children in the family asked practitioners, “Can we sign the petition to support Falun Gong like our parents?” When they got confirmation, they neatly and proudly signed the petition like their parents.

Some passersby said that what CCP is doing is incomprehensible. After they finished signing, some still asked, “The music is so peaceful and the exercises are so gentle, how can the CCP brutally persecute practitioners like this?” Someone answered, “I know the Communist Party well, and it never does anything good.”

Some people asked, “How many more signatures do you still need?” and then called on spectators: “Everyone, come here and sign your name! The persecution must end immediately. It cannot be allowed to go on!”

After a blind man heard the facts from a practitioner, he said, “I support you. You are doing the right thing. I want to sign the petition! Would you take me to where I can sign?” The practitioner helped him to the table and gave him a pen. The man asked, “Could you hold my arm, please? Do I sign here? OK, I've signed.”

Although it was hot, practitioners stayed to raise awareness about Falun Dafa. The public offered their support and encouraged the practitioners. Several pedestrians encouraged them, “There should be more activities like yours! Could you hold more activities like this, please?”

Posting date: 7/23/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/14/波兰弗罗茨瓦夫市的征签反迫害活动（图）-243941.html

Tour De France Winner Returns Home to Australia

Cadel Evans has returned to his hometown of Melbourne, Australia to a hero's welcome.

Last month he became the first Australian ever to win the Tour de France, cycling's biggest and most gruelling event.

To the rousing cheers from thousands of his fans, he rode down Melbourne streets in a ticker tape parade.

It was the slowest ride of his career, as he stopped to shake hands with many. He was then welcomed at a public reception held in his honor.

Cadel hopes his win will inspire many, especially the youth of today.

[Cadel Evans, Cycling Champion]:

"I consider myself lucky to find my talent, everyone has a talent and I consider myself lucky that I found mine."

[Emily Francis, Primary School Student]:

"I think he's an amazing man, who's done an amazing thing, something for all of us to look up to."

With the crowds decked out in green and gold and chanting "Cadel Cadel", the Victorian Premier who was also there to congratulate him, said he had never been such a large crowd in Federation Square before.

The life of a professional athlete can be tough on families, and Cadel was certainly looking forward to a hug from his mum, she was in the crowd to greet him.

[Cadel Evans, Cycling Champion]:

"Hi Mum, I already got my hug, and I might get another one before I go."

Cadel rode nearly 3 and a half thousand kilometres in three weeks to win the Tour de France, and he'll go down in Australian history as a sporting legend.

Angela Anderson, NTD, Melbourne, Australia.

Japanese Museum Dedicated to Manga Cartoonist

Beloved manga character Doraemon gets a museum in his honor.

Fujiko F. Fujio, creator of the earless robotic cat and sidekick schoolboy, Nobita, died in 1996.

But his widow Masako Fujimoto says Doraemon transcends culture and language, making him popular with children worldwide.

[Masako Fujimoto, Wife of Fujiko F. Fujio]:
"I personally believe that because children from all over the world read and enjoy Doraemon it's a testament to the fact that children are children no matter where they are."

Doraemon's adventures were first published in 1969 and the cartoon series has been translated into over 30 languages and still enjoys popularity in many countries.

The museum, which also features other works by Fujio, opens on September 3rd.

Yoga Super Gran Full of Amazing Vitality at 84

With her movie star looks and soft demeanor, this glamorous Gran will take you by surprise.

Bette Calman has been teaching yoga for the last fifty years, and shows no signs of slowing down.

At 84 years of age, her moves on the floor may leave most of us feeling just a bit out of shape.

[Bette Calman, Super Gran]:

"Doesn't matter if your feeling tired, just lay down, do a little bit of yoga and you feel good."

Bette first started practicing yoga when she was working in the hotel industry, as she found that doing headstands after long days helped ease her aching legs.

[Bette Calman, Super Gran]:

"I started more or less on my own until I found a Master, Michael Volin and he started me on the path."

There were no books about yoga when she started, so she learnt by word of mouth from Michael Volin, a renowned yoga teacher in the fifties. She still teaches the same way today.

Her favourite postures are the shoulder and headstands, both of which she can still do with ease.

Television and print embraced her in the fifties and she became a regular feature, with her rubber band like postures and never a hair out of place.

She is still teaching classes locally at her daughter's yoga school in a trendy bayside suburb in Melbourne.

[Evlleen Darcey, Yoga Student]:

"Yes her classes have helped me greatly. There so dynamic. You go in there feeling tense and you come out floating. So, I mean they're just wonderful, she's really a great teacher."

Bette has been vegetarian for many years, and finds her diet in combination with the yoga has kept her disease free and healthy all her life.

[Bette Calman, Super Gran]:

"I haven't been to a doctor, I go to a eye doctor, but not the other doctor for 50 years. I don't get colds, I don't get headaches so I suppose I'm healthy."

So with a lifestyle of little of sleep, hours of daily exercise, small amounts of plain food and loads of energy, this amazing super gran may leave most of us wondering about our own choices.

Well, after a day spent with yoga extraordinary Bette I think I need to put my feet up and relax.

Angela Anderson,

NTD News, Melbourne, Australia

Japanese Androids Train for First Ever Robot Marathon

These four robots will contest the world's first ever robot marathon next Thursday in Osaka.

Today’s outing is only a practice run.

At next week’s race the robots will run around the track 422 times to clock up the 26.2 miles needed for a full marathon.

Even if they are controlled by humans, the race will be a super-human feat… it will likely take four days to complete.

The robots can be tweaked for repairs and their batteries can be changed.

But if they fall over they will have to get up on their own.

[Robovie-PC, Robot Contestant]:
"You've got to stretch to prevent injuries and aim to complete the marathon."

The robots were all built to promote Osaka’s Technological prowess.

"A Really Fantastic Experience" - Shen Yun in New York

Shen Yun Performing Arts impressed audience members at Lincoln Center in New York on Friday night.

[Wendy Diamond, Animal Fair Magazine Founder & Editor]:
“I thought tonight was just phenomenal. I thought it was so beautiful. I loved the culture, the dance. I thought the outfits were phenomenal. My favorite part was the drums. I loved the drums, I thought that they had great beat, I thought that they had great rhythm and I also thought that thought I loved the dance and I loved the women, they were so beautiful.”

[David McFadden, Architectural Placement Founder and CEO]:
“The dances and the culture that came from the Chinese and the dynasties 5000 years ago is apparent throughout the world today, in forms of dance, sports, theater, music. So it was a really fantastic experience.”

[Triana Cristobal, Phantom of the Opera Dancer]:
“You can tell by the show and everything that they have all spent a lot of time working to put this together. So it’s been great.”

[Janera Soerel, Social Network Founder & Chief Curator]:
“The production level was amazing. I mean the background, and how the images change I thought was very interesting and how people just popped up [from the backdrop]. I liked that interaction with the multimedia and the live presentation. The costumes were beautiful of course. And I liked it also that the dancers were musicians as well. The drumming I thought was very very interesting. And I liked the handkerchiefs a lot. I thought that was really fascinating.”

[Simone Kerr, Australian Fashion Model]:
“I thought it was very beautiful. It was very technically precise, and vibrant and vivacious, exuberant, colorful, historical. I loved everything about it… The men in their male routines they were just so energetic, they were so brave and just incredible to watch and I feel that energy. They didn’t even break a sweat, they weren’t puffing at the end of it and I just feel like if that’s the way they live their lives then I think we can all learn something from that and just make the most of everything and do it with energy and with joy in our hearts I guess.”

NTD News, New York

"The Dancers Were Amazing" - Shen Yun at Lincoln Center in New York

Granddaughter of the late Charlie Chaplin and great-granddaughter of Eugene O'Neill, actress and model Kiera Chaplin saw Shen Yun Performing Arts in New York City on Thursday night.

[Kiera Chaplin, Model and Actress]:
“I really enjoyed it. I thought the dancers were amazing. I loved the colors and the sets, the screen. I liked the soprano singer as well, she sang so beautifully.”

For her, Shen Yun was an experience to be remembered.

[Kiera Chaplin, Model and Actress]:
“The techniques of dancing is really incredible. And you get to travel, you are sitting in New York but you feel like you have traveled and you learn things as well so it was good.”

One former figure skating world champion was also at the show.

[Alena Vrzáňová, Former Figure Skating World Champion]:
“I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time, and the unison. I used to dance and ice-skate, and this was absolutely something fantastic.”

NTD News, New York

Shen Yun Final Show in Lausanne "Inspiring"

Shen Yun Performing Arts gave its final show of the Swiss leg of its European tour on Sunday in Lausanne.

Fabrice Joly, an award-winning artist, shared his impressions of the performance.

[Fabrice Joly, Graphic Artist]:
“The plum flower dance with the fans… I thought that it was gorgeous, all the things they were able to do with that, it was very creative. And I also really liked the humor of the show, there were many amusing aspects, like the dance with the young monks, it was hilarious.”

Eloise Bernier, also an artist, said that Shen Yun could be a source of inspiration for her work.

[Eloise Bernier, Graphic Artist]:
“The colorful aspect, the composition of the dances and so on - they relate small stories. Just like a person telling a tale… an extremely colorful tale with music added. So, this can really be inspiring in creating oriental motifs.”

Ms. Bernier added that she found the show poetic and absorbing.

[Eloise Bernier, Graphic Artist]:
“It was interesting and poetic, very light and easy to watch. You don’t get the impression that you’re watching a two-hour show. Actually, it's really easy to look at, and pleasant. We let ourselves be carried away by the story and the music.”

NTD News, Lausanne, Switzerland

China's Tuidang Movement Part 3: What the CCP Fears Most

China's Tuidang Movement Part 3: What the CCP Fears Most


ANCHOR:

Today, the final installment of our 3-part segment on the Tuidang movement. It's a grassroots Chinese movement that few people in the West even know about - but more than 100 million Chinese people have participated in Tuidang. And it's making China's communist leadership nervous about what that could mean for their future.

STORY:
[Li Fengzhi, Former Intelligence Officer for China's Ministry of State Security]:
"Today I stand here, with my back to the embassy that represents China, and solemnly declare that I am severing all ties with the CCP. This is the conclusion I have come to after lengthy and serious consideration, and it is something from the bottom of my heart."

Li Fengzhi is a former Chinese intelligence officer. In 2009, he publicly announced his withdrawal from the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP.

He's one of millions who've participated in what's called the Tuidang movement. The movement's organizers say there have been more than 100 million participants in total.

Unlike most political movements, Tuidang does not call on its participants to donate money or even take specific action - all they ask is that people state their withdrawal from the CCP.

The movement's organizers view Tuidang as individuals creating a moral or spiritual separation between themselves and the CCP for their own sake, not for the sake of joining a group or a cause.

But in a way, Tuidang has become its own cause. It predicts and promotes an impending collapse of the CCP. And that's why, behind the scenes, the CCP is trying to stop the movement's spread. Especially since more and more of those who withdraw are in fact communist officials.

[Li Dayong, Executive Director, Global Quit CCP Service Center]:
"We have over 100 Service Centers for Quitting the CCP around the world, and we receive a large number of overseas Chinese tourists. Some of these are mid-rank officials, others are high ranking ones, including those in the Party, and political and military organizations. Some use aliases, others even use their real names to withdraw."

The Chinese communist leadership is specifically targeting The Epoch Times' Nine Commentaries editorial series, which catalyzed the Tuidang movement. They've labeled it as contraband literature inside China, and use China's Internet firewall to block access to the online version. And they're cracking down on people who talk about it.

In 2005, dissident author Zhang Lin from Anhui province was sentenced to five years in prison for so-called "inciting subversion of state power" after he published articles online praising the Nine Commentaries.

In this 2006 notice issued by Anhui province's Tianchang City Party Propaganda Department, city officials were told to focus on cracking down on the production and spread of the Nine Commentaries and similar materials. It says,

"Quickly solve cases involving the Nine Commentaries inciting propaganda and eliminate its negative impact."

But despite the CCP's efforts, the Nine Commentaries continues to find its way into China. Volunteers in China hand-deliver copies to their neighborhoods. Anti-censorship software enables savvy computer users to download the full text.

According to a statement from the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, within 24 hours of the Nine Commentaries' first publication in November 2004, it was downloaded sixty thousand times. Within two weeks, there were over one million downloads of the text.

Now, almost seven years later, it is impossible to know just how many copies of the Nine Commentaries - whether in electronic or printed form, have been passed through the hands of Chinese people.

But to those who have read it, the impact is undeniable.

[Ms. Liu, Tuidang Volunteer]:
"The Nine Commentaries has said what's in people's hearts, and what it says is true. We know the wickedness of the CCP, and as a member I feel I should withdraw, and no longer be a part of it, or give it strength. Right there and then I wrote an application to withdraw."

And it comes at a time when - beneath China's sparkling skyline - there's massive discontent among Chinese people.

This article in the Daily Telegraph says that Yu Jianrong, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said he recently told CCP cadres that he believed China will, "definitely experience upheaval, and that time is not too far distant." He said there have been more than 90,000 mass protests in China each year since 2007.

People have protested about many things, like corrupt officials, lack of justice in the legal system, and being forced out of their homes.

Many people blame the CCP and its failed governance. And so the Tuidang movement provides a natural outlet for millions of disgruntled Chinese.

[Xia Yifan, Victim of Political Persecution]:
"I hope that my fellow countrymen can bravely express their own opinions, and withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party. Use this action to express their anger at the CCP overtaking the country for the past six decades."

And inside China, notices calling for the demise of the Communist Party have been sprouting up across the country.

Including this one, which accidentally appeared in the cover photo for a state-run newspaper in 2009. The photo featured a celebration of the CCP's upcoming 60 years of rule over China. But in the lower left corner, this text could be seen scrawled on a bike rack: "Heaven condemns the Communist Party. Denounce it and be blessed."

Immediately after the picture was published in the Jinzhou Evening News, Chinese authorities scrambled to pull it from store shelves. The Jinzhou Evening News was investigated, and its production was temporarily suspended.

Even if the CCP doesn't publicly acknowledge the Tuidang movement, it seems to be unnerved by its spread.

[John Nania, Editor-in-Chief, The Epoch Times]:
"We have this quiet, steady erosion of the Communist Party from within. People are withdrawing from this Tuidang movement, this withdraw from the Party movement, and pretty soon the Party will have very little substance left, very few members, very few people believing in it, very few people who pledged an oath to the future of the Communist Party, and one day, I can't predict when, but sooner rather than later, the Communist Party is just going to disappear."



(Reporting by Karen Chang, Shelley Zhang, and Matt Gnaizda. Video editing by Lia Onely.)

------------------
Disclosure Note:
NTD has an affiliation with The Epoch Times, publisher of the Nine Commentaries editorial series that is regarded as the catalyst of the Tuidang movement. In 2005, NTD created a video version of the Nine Commentaries and broadcast it via satellite into China, as well as in other places around the globe. This may have had an impact on the Tuidang movement's spread. Watch the Nine Commentaries in English.

China's Tuidang Movement Part 2: Who's Behind China's Largest Anti-CCP Movement?

China's Tuidang Movement Part 2: Who's Behind China's Largest Anti-CCP Movement?

ANCHOR:
Yesterday we brought you Part 1 of a special series on a grassroots movement that's challenging China's leadership. It's a movement that's more moral than political in nature. And this week, it marked a milestone as the number of people who've joined the movement reached 100 million. Now, we bring you Part 2: where the Tuidang movement is taking place, and the unlikely source behind it.

STORY:
A grassroots movement is sweeping China. But much of it is also happening all around the world.

There are more than 100 volunteer service centers outside China for so-called "quitting the CCP." They're part of the Tuidang movement - people withdrawing from the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations.

It's the most visible side of a movement that may be determining China's future.

Information booths like this one, at a lookout on the way to Hong Kong's Victoria Peak, allow Chinese tourists to withdraw from the CCP on the spot.

[Ms. Liao, Tuidang Volunteer]:
"When they see these displays, they're shocked. Plus, some are already aware of what the CCP is like. So, as soon as we explain to them, they're just waiting for us to help them withdraw [from the CCP]."

Yi Rong is the Vice President of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party, a nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States. Her group says they've received more than 100 million statements from people withdrawing from the CCP. The statements began in November 2004, after the Chinese-language version of the Epoch Times newspaper published an editorial series called "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party".

[Yi Rong, Vice President, Global Quit CCP Service Center]:
"The statistics are compiled from many sources. It's mainly from The Epoch Times website, but there are a lot of ways for people to participate."

Ways like volunteers making phone calls to China to convince people to withdraw, one by one.

"Now you can use an alias, or your nickname, and make an announcement on an overseas website, and you can withdraw [from the CCP] that way."

[Ms. Tao, Tuidang Volunteer]:
"When they agree, I will write down their names, and when I have a few dozen names, I'll ask someone to enter them into the Epoch Times Tuidang website. They'll get the registration numbers, and I'll keep a copy, and that's the whole process."

[Yi Rong, Vice President, Global Quit CCP Service Center]:
"In Flushing, our volunteers at the five information booths here will give us these forms with the names, like these. We will enter these names on the computer and assign each name a number, a registration number."

These information booths and phone call groups are not funded by any government, corporation, or wealthy donors. They're put together by volunteers with hardly any central authority. But they're unified in purpose: helping people withdraw from the CCP.

Who are these volunteers? The majority are people who practice Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual practice. Falun Gong became widely practiced in China after being taught to the public in 1992. But in 1999, the communist regime banned Falun Gong, and began persecuting its adherents.

Falun Gong itself should seem an unlikely source for a political movement, since its spiritual principles are distinctly non-political in nature. But many of its practitioners, like Chen Fengyu, have supported the Tuidang movement as a way to respond to the persecution in China.

Chen is a volunteer at the New York branch of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party. He says Falun Gong practitioners initially tried to stop the persecution by appealing to the communist leadership, but the persecution only intensified with time.

[Chen Fengyu, Tuidang Volunteer]:
"But after a few years, we found there was no use [appealing], and they would not listen - because the thought process of the Communist Party follows phoniness, wickedness and fighting, and it controls the people through violence and lies. So since 2004, after the Nine Commentaries very clearly exposed the nature of the CCP, we began to tell more Chinese people to leave the CCP...Only when the CCP is dissolved can the persecution stop."

Most of the volunteers promoting the Tuidang movement may be Falun Gong practitioners, but the bulk of its participants are not.

They include people like renowned human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng; former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin; and former Chinese intelligence officer Li Fengzhi. All of them have publicly renounced their ties with the CCP.

And now many people who don't practice Falun Gong are helping actively promote the Tuidang movement, too.

[Qiu Mingwei, Former Employee of People's Daily]:
"I hereby call upon all the CCP members in China to take this brave step. Only this step can speed up China's progress towards democracy. Tuidang is loving your country. Drawing a clear line between yourself and the Communist Party is to save the country."

[Xu Yi, Democracy Activist]:
"I sent my own Tuidang statement to everyone I knew at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Linguistics. Even if we, ourselves, have not done anything wrong, if I stay in the CCP, I'm in fact giving it strength."

[Wang Wei, Democracy Activist]:
"The CCP's corruption, degeneration, its disregard for human nature, and its violence are for all to see. I'm here calling on everyone inside China to get rid of the Communist Party, this malignant tumor, and return to us a democratic China."

From what started as a response to an editorial in a Chinese newspaper, the Tuidang movement has now become a way for Chinese people to express their hopes for their country's future.

(Reporting by Karen Chang, Shelley Zhang, and Matt Gnaizda. Video editing by Lia Onely.)

------------------
Disclosure Note:
NTD has an affiliation with The Epoch Times, publisher of the Nine Commentaries editorial series that is regarded as the catalyst of the Tuidang movement. In 2005, NTD created a video version of the Nine Commentaries and broadcast it via satellite into China, as well as in other places around the globe. This may have had an impact on the Tuidang movement's spread. Watch the Nine Commentaries in English.

China's Tuidang Movement Part 1: Why 100 Million People Are Leaving the CCP

China's Tuidang Movement Part 1: Why 100 Million People Are Leaving the CCP

ANCHOR:
A grassroots movement is challenging the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. It's a movement that 100 million Chinese people have now participated in. Few people outside China have heard of it, but it may be playing a key role in determining China's future. Today, we bring you Part 1 of a three-part series on what's called the "Tuidang movement."

STORY:
This year, the Chinese Communist Party marked its 90th anniversary. And the party has ruled China for nearly 62 years. But a grassroots movement is sweeping the country - and challenging the status quo.

It has millions of participants. But for many reasons, this movement has gone largely unnoticed by the rest of the world.

[Yi Rong, Vice President, Global Quit CCP Service Center]:
"It could be said that this is the biggest movement of spiritual awakening happening for the Chinese people in history."

Scenes like this are seen around the globe - except in mainland China.

Organizers call it the "Tuidang Movement." "Tuidang" means to withdraw or "quit" the Party. It's made up of people from mainland China and overseas Chinese who are publicly renouncing their ties with the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP.

It started in November 2004. That's when the Chinese edition of the independent newspaper The Epoch Times published an editorial series called "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party." It presents a rare in-depth analysis of the CCP.

[John Nania, Editor-in-Chief, The Epoch Times]:
"No one else has attempted or succeeded in fully exposing what the Communist Party has done over its decades of existence, in its 60-plus years of rule over China."

The Nine Commentaries analyzes - and criticizes - the CCP in a way that's difficult to do in China, because of the political climate. It gives dozens of examples of how the CCP's ideology of violence and struggle has led to millions of deaths, and caused great suffering. Its words have resonated with many readers, showing them that their suffering under the CCP is shared.

The Nine Commentaries also argues that China will never be free and prosperous until the CCP is gone.

Less than two weeks after publishing the Nine Commentaries, the paper's editors started getting statements from Chinese readers. Statements saying that they wanted to renounce their ties with the CCP.

A few months later, the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party was formed. Its purpose was to collect these statements and help people withdraw from the CCP.

By April 2005, the Center had received more than a million statements of withdrawal. Today, they say that number has grown to more than 100 million.

Mostly, these statements come from people declaring their withdrawal from one of the three CCP organizations: The Young Pioneers, the Communist Youth League, and the Communist Party itself. This is why the movement is also known by another name - Santui, or the "three withdrawals."

While many of those who withdraw are not current members, this does not exclude them from the Tuidang movement. In fact, the rules for withdrawing are so simple that it's hard to call Tuidang a political movement at all: It doesn't matter whether you're an active member of the party, or if your membership has expired. You don't have to give out your contact details. And you can even use a fake name if you're afraid of retribution.

There's only one thing that really matters:

[Yi Rong, Vice President, Global Quit CCP Service Center]:
"As long as people completely sever their ties with the CCP, from their heart and spiritually, and they are clear about this, I believe this is what is acknowledged."

It's a political movement where people's hearts - not policy views - are what's important.

[John Nania, Editor in Chief, The Epoch Times]:
"They have to wash their hands of the blood from the Communist Party. Because the oaths that they take, when they join the Communist Party or one of its organizations include a lot of vows about blood, and giving their blood for the party, and so forth. And of course a lot of blood has been spilled in the history of the Party, 80 million people have died from unnatural causes due to actions of the Communist Party during its history."

The Tuidang movement is distinctly Chinese in its worldview - very different from the Western-style democracy movement of the 1980s or the more recent Charter 08.

The Tuidang movement doesn't even discuss policy. It emphasizes morality, and has roots in China's ancient Buddhist and Taoist culture. The Nine Commentaries calls for renewing morality - in a culture that it says has been corrupted by the violent ideology of the Communist Party.

That's why people's statements of withdrawal tend to reflect their views on morality rather than politics.

For example, this one, from a man named Ma Hua. Ma's father and grandfather were both members of the CCP. Ma himself was also a member, and he worked as a public servant for ten years.

He writes: "I personally understand and experienced the lies, deceit, mental control and brutality of the CCP that the Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party has exposed. But for my livelihood, I joined the CCP and have done stupid things against my own conscience. I now deeply regret this and hope that through this format of Tuidang, I can make up for my wrongdoings, and my conscience can rest a little better."

[Leung Yiu-chung, Hong Kong Legislative Council Member]:
"With people willing to leave this Party, and leave their vested interests, it in fact reflects their awakening to the state of corruption in China. They no longer want to support this dishonest, unhealthy state of affairs. It actually reflects the continual awakening of the Chinese people."

[Qu Zheng, Columnist for The Epoch Times]:
"The Tuidang wave started by the Nine Commentaries actually fundamentally changes people's hearts. It lets people truly realize that they want to sever themselves from what is wicked, and stop being indifferent."

It's a renewal that has its roots in China's traditional culture, not in politics. And it's being pushed forward in an unlikely way - not by intellectuals or foreign governments, but by a loose affiliation of volunteers.

And it could very well change the future of China.


(Reporting by Karen Chang, Shelley Zhang, and Matt Gnaizda. Video editing by Lia Onely.)

------------------
Disclosure Note:
NTD has an affiliation with The Epoch Times, publisher of the Nine Commentaries editorial series that is regarded as the catalyst of the Tuidang movement. In 2005, NTD created a video version of the Nine Commentaries and broadcast it via satellite into China, as well as in other places around the globe. This may have had an impact on the Tuidang movement's spread. Watch the Nine Commentaries in English.

Hong Kong: Falun Gong Receives Strong Support at Rally and March (Photos)

By a Falun Gong practitioner in Hong Kong
 

(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners and supporting organizations in Hong Kong held a rally and march marking the twelfth anniversary of Falun Gong's anti-persecution journey on July 24, 2011. The activities called for the disintegration of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and an end to the persecution of Falun Gong, along with support for the 99 million people who have quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Members of the Legislative Council and celebrities spoke at the rally, condemning the CCP for its brutal persecution of Falun Gong and calling for all circles of society to work together to bring an end to the persecution.

The Divine Land Marching Band heads the marching procession to Canton Road. Spectators fill the street and take pictures of the march. 

Many are attracted to watch the march when the procession passes Kowloon 

The Divine Land Marching Band performs at the rally 

Banners and posters in the march procession 

Spectators take pictures and videos of the march 

 A banner states, “Quitting the CCP is a Step Toward Disintegrating the CCP”

The anti-persecution march started at 2:00 in the afternoon. The Divine Land Marching Band headed the neatly-aligned procession. Banners, flags, and drum troupes followed. The march passed major streets of Kowloon, and a large number of residents and tourists stopped to watch. Tourists from China took pictures and video of the march and said they would take them to their friends. Some of them cried in excitement, “Falun Gong's march!” “There is freedom in Hong Kong!” “Look, the police officers head their procession!” Some tourists said they were very happy to learn facts of Falun Gong in Hong Kong. It helped them see through the CCP lies. 

A college student from China was very shaken by this scene. He said, “The propaganda in China said Falun Gong was an evil cult. We are afraid to hear the words 'Falun Gong' and associate it with self-immolation and other bad things. When I come to Hong Kong, I feel differently from what we heard in China. I suspect our government has deceived us on purpose... After coming here, I began thinking that our education and everything we have heard in our lives has been false. Our government always ties the party with the country. Being against the party seems to mean being against the country. It isn't like this actually. Being against the party doesn't mean not loving the country. As a matter of fact, being against the party better represents our love of the country, because the party can't establish a democratic and clean government.” He felt fortunate to have come to Hong Kong and learn the true story. He was saddened that most people in China are still deceived. 

A woman tourist from China said this was her first time coming to Hong Kong. She was greatly shaken to see Falun Gong's march. She said it would be impossible to imagine in China. Some tourists said the waist drum playing was their favorite. A Hong Kong resident said, “Falun Gong promotes compassion. I support their campaign to end the persecution.” 

A tourist couple admired the freedom in Hong Kong. The husband said the suppression of Falun Gong in China was still very severe. Many Falun Gong practitioners in his area had been arrested. He said, “Words related to Falun Gong are forbidden, much less practicing Falun Gong.” 

A young couple from China said that their parents practiced Falun Gong before the persecution, but were forced to give up under high pressure. The man said he worked in a government institution. Even those who read Falun Gong truth-clarification materials, if found, would be isolated, monitored, and faced with loss of some benefits. Much less to say for those who practice Falun Gong.” 

Prior to the march, a rally was held around noon. Many supporters attended the rally despite the heat. Some human rights activists in China expressed their support through prerecorded video and audio. 

Yuet Mee Audrey Eu, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and former leader of the Civic Party, said, “I admire Falun Gong and Falun Gong practitioners for their peacefulness, tolerance and compassion.” Ms. Eu had heard from human rights lawyers in China about the brutal persecution and how hard it was to defend Falun Gong practitioners' innocence. She said, “I salute Falun Gong practitioners and the lawyers defending them!” 

Democratic Party and Legislative Council member Wong Sing-chi condemned the CCP for its persecution, “It is dictatorship. In the mean time, it has utterly abandoned the universal values of the entire world.” He stressed that the dictatorship wouldn't last long, and praised Falun Gong practitioners' steadfastness. “I really appreciate their steadfastness and firmness on their principles, and their perseverance on their work to reach their goal.” 

Mr. Tsai Yaowah, vice president of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China (HKASPDMC), criticized the CCP for its brutal persecution over the past twelve years, which was against the law. He said, “What the CCP did to Falun Gong followers, their supporters, and lawyers were serious violations of international human rights conventions and its own constitution.” He pointed out people's freedom of belief, assembly, and speech was completely deprived under the CCP autocracy. He called for all human rights organizations in China and overseas to unite in stopping the persecution. 

Theresa Chu, spokesperson for the Falun Gong Human Rights Lawyers Working Group in Taiwan, said the evil CCP wants to destroy not only Falun Gong, but also all lives. She hopes that all Chinese will see it clearly. 

Former Legislative Council member and priest Fung Chi-wood said he was moved by the compassion of Falun Gong practitioners. Their promotion of quitting the CCP has made close to 100 million people quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. He said, “For someone like me, who didn't have huge confidence at the beginning, 100 million was hard to imagine. But just like truth, no one can deny such a fact.” He thanked Falun Gong practitioners for spreading the seeds of compassion. “Your steadfastness and endurance has gained mighty virtue. The world and all the world's people will never forget your sacrifices.” 

Chui Pak Tai, Wong Tai Sin District Council member, said, “Facing serious persecution, they remain compassionate. We believe it is a power from the bottom of their hearts. The evil will eventually lose to the righteous.” 

Several celebrities in China condemned the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong through audio recordings. 

Gao Yu, senior reporter and two-time recipient of the Courage in Journalism Award, said, “Falun Gong has made unremitting efforts to stop the persecution during the past twelve years. Their fight for their human rights is a heroic deed.” 

Huang Qi, a renowned Chinese webmaster and human rights activist who was just released from prison last month, gave a speech through audio recording. He was the first to report Falun Gong practitioner Chen Zixiu's death at his 64tianwang.com website in June, 2000. It was the first website closed by the CCP for reporting Falun Gong related news. He was thrown into prison twice for eight years total. Mr. Huang holds no regret for standing together with Falun Gong practitioners. He said, “When Falun Gong practitioners were persecuted, when Falun Gong practitioner Chen Zixiu lost her life, we had to step out. Even though stepping out for them put my family and me in a miserable situation, I have never regretted appealing for Falun Gong practitioners. I'm still very proud of my choice! Eventually we and our Falun Gong practitioner friends will live in a democratic China, with safeguarded human rights, free of fear!” 

Sun Wenguang, a retired professor from Shandong University, mentioned that the Chinese people were gladdened to hear of Jiang Zemin's death. He said, “History will expose and criticize their [persecutor's] crimes. History will bring Jiang to justice and warn them, no matter how high your position is, if you violate human rights and commit crimes, the people will bring you to justice sooner or later.” Professor Sun praised Falun Gong practitioners for clarifying the facts to the Chinese people through various means, including distributing the “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party” and spreading blocked news through the Internet. He said, “Those who used to misunderstand and doubt Falun Gong have begun to change their views. [Falun Gong practitioners' work] not only freed their own spirit, but also encouraged people around them to safeguard their rights.”

Posting date: 7/29/2011
Category: Rallies and Protests
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/28/香港集会游行-各界支持法轮功反迫害（图）-244611.html

Taiwan: Clarifying the Truth Comprehensively to the Precious Chinese People (Photos)

Twelve years of Taiwan practitioners' anti-persecution and truth clarification activities
 
By Clearwisdom correspondent Zheng Yuyan from Taiwan
 
(Clearwisdom.net) Millions of practitioners have been persecuted in China since since July 20, 1999. Taiwan has the most practitioners, second only to China. Taiwan practitioners have been taking advantage of their own convenient methods, including mailing, faxing, Internet chatting, and calling. to convey the truth of Falun Gong to millions of households in China. The Taiwan government openly welcomed the Chinese tourists in 2008. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have regularly been seen at the famous tourist attractions, and have become the most important features of those places.

Chinese tourists watch truth-clarifying videos. Mr. Guo, an elderly practitioner, helps a tourist to quit the CCP

Chinese tourists watch truth-clarifying videos

No matter what method is used, practitioners who clarify the truth have similar experiences. In the beginning, most Chinese people lacked a channel to obtain factual information, and believed the slanderous stories about Falun Gong fabricated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They refused to listen to the truth, and were hostile toward practitioners. After years of truth clarification efforts from the practitioners inside and outside China, the situation has improved a great deal. More and more people are thankful for being told the truth.

Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) is a high-level cultivation practice guided by the characteristics of the universe—Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, are undeniable.

The practice was very well received in China. At the Eastern Health World Expo held in China in 1993, the hosting committee granted the highest recognition, including "Pioneering Science," "Special Golden Award," and "Most Popular Qigong Master" to Mr. Li Hongzhi. According to an early 1999 Chinese government report, about 70-100 million people were practicing Falun Gong at that time.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party launched the brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Jiang Zemin, the former CCP leader, issued many secret orders, including "Death of Falun Gong practitioners from beating is nothing and shall be counted as suicide," "The body shall be directly cremated without investigating the person's identification," "Defame their reputations, bankrupt them financially, and destroy them physically." The campaign has since grown in violence and scope, with millions having been detained in forced labor camps. The persecution has not only targeted Falun Gong practitioners' beliefs in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, but is also an attempt to destroy society's moral principles and spiritual values. Therefore, practitioners throughout the world have been explaining the facts about Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

Chinese Tourists Learn the Truth

There are many popular tourist attractions in Taipei, including the Taipei 101 Observatory, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum, and CKS Shilin Residence Park. Falun Gong practitioners are regularly seen at these tourist destinations. They have introduced the practice and exposed the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong to the tourists from China. More and more Chinese tourists are learning the truth there.

Chinese tourists listen to a practitioner and view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists listen to a practitioner and view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

Chinese tourists view truth-clarifying materials before Taipei 101

A tourist from Shenyang was taking photos of the flowers in front of the Taipei 101 gate on Hsinyi Road on June 19, 2011. He took one picture after another from the same angle and didn't want to leave. Ms. Song Xiu'er noticed him and went to talk to him, “It's a rare opportunity that you come to visit Taiwan. If you have joined the CCP and its affiliated organizations, swore in front of the Party flag and promised to sacrifice yourself for the CCP, you should take this opportunity to quit. It will ensure your safety.” He agreed, “Yes. Yes.” Ms. Song asked, “How about quitting the CCP using the name Qinghai?” He looked happy and said, “Good. Good.” Ms. Song said to him, “I wish you a safe trip. Please do remember this name.” The tourist left happily.

Falun Gong practitioners exercise in front of the Palace Museum

Ms. Meiru goes to the National Palace Museum to clarity the truth every day. She said, “During mid-June, a group of about 30 tourists wanted to take a group picture, and asked for my help. In order to get a good shot, the tour guide asked the group, “Is Taiwan beautiful?” The group answered, “Beautiful!” The tour guide asked again, “Is the watermelon sweet?” The group answered, “Sweet!” I asked the third question, “Is Falun Dafa great?” The group answered, “Great!”

Happiness of New Birth

Several months ago, a man who was in his forties was wandering around the display boards and looked anxious. He said, “I want to quit too. But I have never participated in anything. I don't know what to do.” Ms. Meiru went to talk to him, “If you joined the Young Pioneer when you were young, that is also a CCP-affiliated organization and part of the CCP. Have you ever join it?” He answered, “Yes. I did.” Ms. Meiru said, “Let me help you quit.” He was so happy to hear this and nodded his head, “Good. Good.” He looked as happy as a child and quickly leaped down stairs. He ignored the stares of the others and murmured, “I quit! I quit!”

Ms. Ma shared another story with us. At noon on April 27, 2011, a fallen tree had hit a train traveling from Shenmu Station to Alishan Station. As a result, four rail-cars derailed from the track and overturned. Five people died and eighty four were injured. Several days later, a group of Chinese tourists told her with excitement, “All of us quit already! Our rail-car was safe in the train accident. We're lucky that we quit before the accident. It truly ensured our safety!”

Tourist Guides Learn the Truth

Ms. Meiru told us that some tour guides asked the reason for helping people to quit the CCP. They thought we were dealing with politics. Ms. Meiru asked them, “Do you believe that karmic retribution is the law of nature?” The tour guides said yes. Ms. Meiru said, “Falun Gong is based on the law of the universe. The CCP has organized so many campaigns and killed 80 million people since it came to power. Hasn't it already reached the point of being punished? The CCP is still persecuting the Falun Gong practitioners with brutal means. It is beyond evil. Whether the CCP will collapse or not is it's own business. The only thing we care about is that good people not be implicated by the CCP. That's why we are here to help people quit the CCP regardless of the hot weather. This is to give them a chance to remove the mark of being a CCP member and ensure their safety. They are showing it to the heaven and the gods. The gods value the sincerity of quitting the army of evil. That's the reason why an assumed name works as long as you are sincere.”

More and more tour guides have learned the truth. They let their tourist groups rest, take photos and read the truth-clarifying materials at the truth-clarification sites. They also allow practitioners to help the tourists quit the CCP. Some tour guides have read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and told Ms. Meiru, “I truly admire you guys!” Similar reactions have also been received at other truth-clarification sites.

Truth-clarification materials in front of CKS Shilin Residence Park draw many Chinese tourists

A group of tourists arrived at the CKS Shilin Residence Park in late June. A young tour guide stood in front of the truth-clarification boards and told the tourists, “I suggest you come to Taiwan to see different things and accept different things other than what is in China.” Another tour guide pointed to the place where the truth-clarification boards are located and told the tourists, “There's shade over there. You can rest over there while waiting for the bus to come.”

Chinese tourists take the Nine Commentaries

Ms. Yao Shuhua, a shoe store employee, comes to the CKS Shilin Residence Park every day before work to do the exercises and clarify the truth. She told us a story, “One female tour guide didn't like practitioners handing out truth-clarification materials in the beginning. After visiting several tourist attractions, she learned the truth and changed her attitude. She once said to Ms. Yao, “You don't need to say too much. I told them 'Falun Dafa is great' on the bus.” She told the tourists, “I told the practitioners not to disturb you guys. You can read those truth-clarification materials carefully. I tell you, Falun Dafa is great. Do some reading and you will know.”

Another female tour guide once called the police angrily to stop practitioners from handing out truth-clarifying materials, and she refused to listen to the practitioners. Three months later, she came to the CKS Shilin Residence Park with a group. Her attitude had totally changed. She sat beside Ms. Yao and chatted with her. She said, “The pens you guys made are well done. If it's inconvenient for you to hand them out on the tour bus, I can do it for you.” The truth-clarification material ejects when a ring on the pen is pulled.

Knowing the Truth Brings Good Luck

Ms. Chen Yuting, a retiree, comes to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to clarify the truth every day. She told us about a male tour guide who has been very supportive with his tour groups learning the truth. The tour guide told her, “Last year, we passed Kaohsiung City, and then Typhoon Fanapi came and Kaohsiung was flooded. We passed Taimali township in Taitung County, then the Taimali Bridge went out. It was dreadful! But we were so lucky!” Ms. Chen told him, “It was because you supported justice and know that Falun Dafa is great. The gods have been blessing you. I hope you tell other tour guides your story.”

Chinese tourists view the truth-clarification materials at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Ms. Chen said that many tour guides led groups of tourists to the location where the truth-clarification materials were established and told the tourists, “All these materials are free to take. You can take them if you want. If you don't want to, you don't have to. It's up to you. However, please remember that Falun Gong is legal. You should know that.” The tourists usually view the posters or read the pamphlets happily. Some of them shout “Falun Dafa is great!” when passing the truth-clarification sites. Some people said, “I'm envious of the freedom in Taiwan. I want to move to Taiwan.”

Opportunity for People Inside China

For many Chinese people who don't have the opportunity to go abroad, practitioners clarify the truth to them via phone calls and the Internet. They still have the opportunity to learn the truth and make their own choices.

Practitioners in front of the computer clarifying truth over the Internet. Ms. Yan Jinzhu, left, and Ms. Chen Yuexia, right.

Ms. Chen Yuexia, 75, has been practicing Dafa for more than ten years. She had suffered from many kinds of diseases, including sciatica, stomachache, internal hemorrhoids, and bloody stools. She had been tormented by illnesses for most of her life. All the Chinese and western medications were of no help. She started practicing Falun Gong at age 65, and her illnesses disappeared within a few months. She said, “I have experienced the feeling of no illnesses for the first time.”

Ms. Chen benefited from Dafa, and she felt obligated to tell people about the goodness of Dafa, and about the venomous slander by the CCP and the brutal persecution of Dafa. People inside China especially need to know the truth to avoid being implicated in the CCP's crimes. With her daughter's help, she provided her vacant house to use for truth-clarification over the Internet work eight years ago. She learned how to use a computer and clarify the truth via the Internet from ground zero. She said, “In the past two years, the number of people quitting the CCP has varied from eight to 20 each day. They always thank me. A few people were afraid of the network police and would swear at the end of our conversations. I would send more information to them until they truly knew the truth, and I helped them quit.”

Live Media

Ms. Yan Jinzhu worked for her family business and has been clarifying the truth via the Internet for many years. She said, “Many people know the truth today. Some people ask to quit the CCP as soon as they log on. Some people quit after a short conversation. People who truly know the truth serve as living media. One young man had a good conversation with us. After he quit the CCP, I told him that many people might not have the chance to use the Internet, and he could help them by spreading the truth. I asked him to send me a list of those who want to quit. He helped his classmates, colleagues, friends, family, and others to quit. He helped 300 people to quit at once.”

Ms. Yan said, “There are many good Chinese people. A woman from Anhui Province has been in contact with us for a while. She often helped her friends and classmates to quit. We were blocked by the CCP for several days and she was worried about us.”

Helping the Evil Will Not Ensure Safety

Ms. Xia Huixia retired a year ago. She has been calling Chinese people every day. She felt that many people are still waiting to learn the truth. The police officers especially need to know the truth to ensure their safety. Ms. Xia said, “Some police officers still arrest and persecute practitioners even though they have quit the CCP already.” Ms. Xia called those officers, “I helped you quit the CCP, but you're still doing bad deeds and arresting Falun Gong practitioners. Karmic retribution is the law of nature. You had quit the CCP in order to be blessed by the gods. But you are still helping the CCP by persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. You didn't want to quit the CCP from your heart. Do you think the gods will protect people despite their evil deeds?”

Ms. Xia Huixia making phone calls

The officer said that he did that for a living and he had no choice. Ms. Xia told him the story of an East German soldier who guarded the Berlin Wall. The soldier shot and killed a young man who was climbing the Berlin Wall. Alternatively he could open fire when ordered, but not necessarily hit the target. The soldier was sentenced in the end.

Good or Evil Deeds are Up to You

One police officer was worried about his name being on the investigation list of WOIPFG, the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. He called Ms. Xia often to ask her to tell him the truth and help remove his name from the list. Ms. Xia told him, “Whether your name is on the list doesn't depend on us, it depends on your own actions. Your name will not be on the list if you don't persecute Falun Gong. It's totally up to you. You shouldn't persecute Falun Gong practitioners anymore and redeem your sin by doing good deeds.” He replied, “Yes. Yes.”

These practitioners are clarifying the truth regardless of the hardships. They are speaking the same message, “No matter how glorious it looks, the CCP's evil character remains the same. The past 60 years of history has proven that.” Those primarily responsible for the persecution, including Jiang Zemin, have been sued in different countries for genocide and torture. More and more governments and organizations are calling for an end to the persecution and bringing those responsible to justice.

Posting date: 8/3/2011
Category: Truth Clarification to Save Sentient Beings
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/方方面面讲真相-为了可贵的中国人（图）-243994.html