Chinese Internet surfers urged the government to severely punish the Falun Gong cult after it hijacked several state-run satellite signals during the soccer World Cup finals in one of the organization's most daring actions to date.

"The attack constitutes a serious violation of international telecommunications regulations. It's actually a terrorist attack, the cult should be eliminated," said one furious message in a chat room sponsored by China's leading portal Sina.com.cn.

The cult hijacked nine national channels and 10 provincial stations by interfering with state-run Sino Satellite (SINOSAT) signals from June 23 to 30.

"The government's leniency towards the cult resulted in this attack. We should put Li Hongzhi and cult members in jail," said another message.

Angry messages started pouring in after state media sources reported the attack. Millions of Chinese people missed the World Cup finals, celebrations for the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China and news related to the torrential floods that were sweeping the nation.

"This is an outrageous breach of national security. We must track down the perpetrators. They can run but they cannot hide forever. They will be subjected to severe punishment according to the law," said another message.

Some suggested that China learn from American anti-terrorism efforts and ask for international cooperation in the fight against Falun Gong.

Many complained that they often received unsolicited emails and short messages on their mobile phones from Falun Gong practitioners.

Some writers view the group as foreign reactionary forces' efforts to subvert China. "Without outside technological assistance, it would be impossible for Falun Gong to intercept the satellite signals," said a Web reader.

While most messages condemned the cult's outrageous acts and urged the track-down of its leader Li Hongzhi, some raised the question about China's national security.

"How can our communication system be so easily breached?" asked one brief message.

Falun Gong followers successfully hacked into cable television networks in the southwestern city of Chongqing in January and in the northeastern city of Changchun in March this year.

Another message suggested, "China should stop importing foreign technology for vital areas."

(China Daily July 10, 2002)