Why is the Chinese government persecuting Falun Gong?
A 1998 Chinese Government survey indicated there were 100 million people practicing Falun Gong in China — a mere six years since it was first introduced to the public. Fearing Falun Gong’s widespread popularity was overshadowing his own legacy, then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin ordered the traditional Chinese practice “eradicated.” According to a 1999 Washington Post article, “Communist Party sources said that the standing committee of the Politburo did not unanimously endorse the crackdown and that Jiang alone decided that Falun Gong must be eliminated.” Other groups whose beliefs are not controlled by the Chinese State are persecuted as well, like Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Tibetan Buddhists. For a more detailed account of why the Chinese leader is persecuting Falun Gong, visit our special report on the subject.
