The basic policy and measures China has adopted for handling the "Falun Gong" cult problem

Li Yixiang is 26 years old. He is now studying for a doctorate at the electro-mechanics Department of Qinghua University. In 1996, he began to practice "Falun Gong", and gradually became infatuated with it.

As a cultist organization, "Falun Gong" has spread to many places in China in recent years. Its founder, Li Hongzhi, was a member of the security section at the Changchun Cereals and Oils Company in northeast China. Li Hongzhi hawks the theory of "doomsday" by declaring that "mankind faces inexorable doom" and only the "Falun Dafa" he created can save mankind. He forbade practitioners of "Falun Gong" to consult doctors or take medicine. In his words, "The power achieved by practicing 'Falun Gong' can eliminate viruses and karma. Taking medicines will merely press back karma. One who passes this barrier will become a superman."

According to incomplete statistics, in China more than 1,400 people have died as a result of practicing "Falun Gong", among whom, some refused to either consult doctors or take medicine when they fell ill, while others became mentally deranged and committed suicide. Meanwhile, other people became crippled, and their families broke up.

In July 1999, China declared the "Falun Gong" organization illegal, and banned it. People of all walks of life denounced the social disasters caused by the "Falun Gong" cult.

Li Yixiang was shocked at the news, but he could not accept it, and even publicly declared that he would quit school. Li's teachers and classmates repeatedly told him what they knew about the true nature of the "Falun Gong" as a cult. Li said, "Fortunately, the dean of the department, and my teachers and classmates did not abandon me, even though I was too obstinate to be awakened." During the summer vacation, one of his teachers in Beijing made a special trip to Wuhan to visit Li, notwithstanding the hot weather. Li's mother and uncle also talked with him patiently on several occasions. "In the face of more and more irrefutable facts", he said, "I gradually realized that 'Falun Gong'-which I was intoxicated with before-is really a fraud. And the 'truthfulness, benevolence and tolerance' propagated by Li Hongzhi is just a façade. Under this cover, he actually amassed dirty money for himself and seriously harmed society!"

Later, Li declared that he would never practice "Falun Gong" again, and published a long article in a newspaper, introducing his experience of being deceived and thanking people of all circles for their patient help and care.

In order to get Li Yixiang to abandon "Falun Gong", people from departments concerned and his school repeatedly talked with him and patiently waited for his sudden awaking from his mistake. They showed extreme forbearance, as an old Chinese saying goes, "Dripping water wears through a stone". Li is one of the two million "Falun Gong" practitioners who were deceived by "Falun Gong". Many other "Falun Gong" practitioners also had the same awakening experience as Li.

Since the true colors of the "Falun Gong" cultist organization have been exposed, most former practitioners who just wanted to improve their health and did not know the true nature of the cult have suddenly woken up to their mistakes.

China practices a policy of persuasion and education for most practitioners when handling and solving the "Falun Gong" problem. Meanwhile, they have emphasized again and again that those who have quit the cult or those who still believe in "Falun Gong" but do not participate in illegal activities organized by it will not be called to account. The fact is that no action has been taken against most former "Falun Gong" practitioners.

While handling the "Falun Gong" problem, China has invariably emphasized that it is necessary to distinguish between normal keep-fit exercises and using exercises as a camouflage for swindling people of their money, harming their lives and engaging in other illegal activities; not the former but the latter shall be opposed and forbidden. China also distinguishes between normal religious beliefs and legal religious activities, and the activities organized by the "Falun Gong" cult, so as to safeguard citizens' freedom of religious belief guaranteed by the constitution and law.

Some key members of "Falun Gong", such as Li Chang, have been investigated for their criminal responsibility by the Chinese judicial organs according to law, because they have violated the regulations of Article 300 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China. This article stipulates that "Whoever organizes and uses secret societies, cults or superstition to sabotage the implementation of state laws or administrative regulations and causes the deaths of other shall be punished." It is an international practice to investigate the criminal responsibility of cultist organizations which engage in illegal activities and those who violate the law. This is not only a measure to maintain the dignity and justice of the law, but also a duty that a government which is responsible to its people and society shall and must fulfill.

At present, most former "Falun Gong" practitioners have abandoned the cult and have returned to normal life, with the help of society in general. Now Li Yixiang is working on his doctoral dissertation. He got married recently. His wife is a teacher. Li's friends, colleagues, teachers and the other people who helped him are all glad to see his present situation.

(Compiled by New Star Publishers, Mar., 2000)