China's Xinhua News Agency published a signed article by Ke Xie on Wednesday denouncing claims peddled by the Falun Gong cult leader Li Hongzhi in lectures he gave recently in North America.

Li said the earth has exploded twice in the past and his supreme master was held responsible for these explosions. Li also said there will be a third explosion for which Li himself will be responsible, but because of his efforts he has managed to postpone this one for another 30 years.

Scientists ridicule this statement as it is widely accepted that the earth's core consists of high-temperature magma, or a molten rock, which does not be explode.

Ke also refutes Li's claim that the planet earth has existed for anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 billion years and says it shows that Li's claims lack substance and betrays his ignorance. It is scientifically accepted that the earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago.

Moreover, Li said that his master has met beings from other planets. Despite all efforts, however, life has not ever been found on any other planet except on earth, Ke's article says.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2002)