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1 (May 1, 2002)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaazts0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS20333 Updated May 1, 2002 China and Falun Gong Thomas Lum Analyst in Asian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary The Falun Gong movement led to the largest and most protracted public demonstrations in China since the democracy movement of 1989. On April 25, 1999, an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 adherents assembled in front of Zhongnanhai, the Chinese Communist Party leadership compound, and participated in a silent protest against state repression of their activities. On July 21, 1999, the People's Republic of China (PRC) government, fearful of the spread of social unrest, outlawed the movement and began to arrest Falun Gong protesters. However, Falun Gong adherents continued to stage demonstrations for over two years and many have remained defiant while in prison. On July 18, 2001, the House of Representatives introduced H.Con.Res. 188, which calls upon the government of the PRC to cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Background and Major Events What Is Falun Gong? Falun Gong,also known as Falun Dafa,1 combines an exercise regimen with meditation and moral tenets. The practice and beliefs are derived from qigong, a set of movements through which one channels vital energies, and Buddhist and Daoist principles. Practitioners claim that they experience physical well- being, emotional tranquility, and a higher understanding of life' s purpose and one' s place in society. They state that by controlling the wheel of dharma, which revolves in the body, one can cure such ailments as high blood pressure, back aches, and even cancer. Falun Gong upholds three main virtues - compassion, forbearance, and truthfulness - and warns against manifestations of contemporary moral degeneration such as rock music, drugs, and sexual liberation. Adherents believe that through practicing Falun Gong, individuals can reach higher levels of cultivation, problems of society can be solved, and the end of the world can be averted.2 1 The literal meanings of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa, respectively, are law wheel exercise and great way of the wheel of dharma. See Danny Schechter, Falun Gong's Challenge to China (New York: Akashic Books, 2000). 2 See [http://www.falundafa.org] and [http://www.faluninfo.net]. Congressional Research Service **o The Library of Congress CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web