Persecution of Falun Gong in China: A Threat to Western Democratic Freedoms
The persecution of Falun Gong in China has gained widespread attention in the West, particularly as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) approaches the 24th anniversary of its brutal campaign against the spiritual practice. While the significance of this persecution is well-known, its impact on Western democratic freedoms may not be fully understood.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, was introduced to the Chinese public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in May 1992. It is a spiritual practice rooted in the Buddhist tradition, emphasizing truth, compassion, and forbearance. By 1998, over 70 million Chinese citizens had experienced improved health and morality through practicing Falun Gong.
The CCP’s response to the growing popularity of Falun Gong was to ban the practice on July 20, 1999. The party saw Falun Gong as a threat to China’s spiritual and moral foundation, which had been severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution. In its efforts to eradicate Falun Gong, the CCP has rewarded officials who excel at persecuting its practitioners while threatening those who refuse to participate. This has led to a decline in good governance and morality in China.
The methods of physical and psychological torture perfected during the persecution of Falun Gong have been transferred to other oppressed groups, such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, Christians, and now the people of Hong Kong. Moreover, the CCP utilizes its economic power to coerce other nations into remaining silent on the persecution of Falun Gong. This subjugation of human rights to trade and economic interests is a dangerous precedent, enabling the spread of the CCP’s influence and anti-Falun Gong propaganda.
The CCP’s contempt for international agreements and the rule of law has created a global environment where corrupt and dishonest practices prevail. This unchecked persecution has not only damaged Chinese society but has also propagated corruption and unethical behavior worldwide.
Falun Gong practitioners have been at the forefront of the fight for freedom of belief. They initially appealed to the CCP to allow them to practice their faith, gathering at Zhongnanhai on April 25, 1999. However, they soon realized that the CCP’s ideology was deeply rooted, leading them to reject the poisonous communist propaganda they had absorbed for years. The publication of The Epoch Times’ Chinese language edition of the Juiping (Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party) in November 2004 further assisted in exposing the true nature of the CCP.
Today, over 415 million Chinese citizens have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations, including the Communist Youth League and Young Pioneers. By standing up against the CCP’s oppressive regime, these individuals not only protect their own right to freedom of belief but also safeguard the rights of their fellow Chinese citizens and people around the world.
One particularly disturbing aspect of the CCP’s actions is its forced organ harvesting practices. The party has created a system where citizens are selected and killed for their vital organs, which are then sold for profit. This disregard for human life poses a grave danger to the world. Western democracies have an opportunity to expose these atrocities and avoid complicity by enacting appropriate national legislation against forced organ harvesting practices in China. Several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have taken steps towards addressing this issue domestically.
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s approach to Soviet communism provides a strategic framework for Western liberal democracies to expose China’s communist regime. Reagan regarded Soviet communism as a vile idea to be defeated, rather than a geopolitical rival to be managed. This approach highlights the need to expose the CCP’s viciousness and promote a better way rooted in the values of the free world.
On the 24th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong, it is crucial to remember the commitment of its practitioners in defending morality and goodness in China. Their struggle extends beyond the borders of China, as it impacts the moral fabric of the entire world. By standing up against the CCP’s oppression and exposing its true nature, we can pave the way for a new China based on truth, compassion, and forbearance.
(Note: The views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.)
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