Recently, the overseas media revealed that after recalling the "Red Guard Ambassador," Li Zhaoxing, Beijing has sent a team of senior diplomats to the U.S. to defend Jiang Zemin's crackdown on Falun Gong. These diplomats are expected to follow the example set by Jiang Zemin in New Zealand of personally handing out anti-Falun Gong brochures to foreign leaders. Their assignment is to lobby some U.S. politicians, one-on-one, to convince them that the PRC's use of violence and torture against millions of peaceful people is justified. They also want to warn the U.S. not to interfere with China's internal affairs.
Sources say that the first delegation is made up of former PRC ambassadors to the U.S., Li Daoyu and Zhu Qizhen, and former PRC ambassador to Canada, Zhang Wenpu. The second delegation is led by the newly appointed ambassador to the U.S., Yang Jiechi. Ambassador Yang is an old friend of the Bush family. He served as the Director of American and Pacific Affairs in the Foreign Ministry and is one of the top experts in U.S. affairs. The third "wave" in this diplomatic offensive will include Zhou Mingwei, the deputy director of the Taiwan affairs office in the PRC State Department. As former Director of External Affairs in Shanghai, Zhou is said to be experienced in "hosting American guests." And lastly, they will send the man known as the Godfather of foreign affairs, Deputy Premier and member of the Politburo, Qian Qichen.
The two former ambassadors, Li and Zhu, reportedly arrived in the U.S. on February 7, 2001 and paid a visit to former President George Bush in Houston. On February 12, they also visited former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in New York. They now have begun making the rounds of influential U.S. government officials, including senators and congressmen.
Looking at this so-called diplomatic mission by so many senior officials, one can't help but feel sad and ashamed for these Chinese diplomats. Had they been born in a democratic country ruled by law, their talent and experience would be bringing about peace, friendship, and meaningful cultural exchange between peoples. Instead, they have been forced by Jiang Zemin to parrot his ridiculous lies to the international community, repeat catch phrases of Chinese political movements. They know all too well that the world is criticizing the persecution, and what they are doing is unwise, and that their reputations and integrity will be ruined in their old age. Why then do they do this? Don't they know that the cost is too great? Don't they know they are selling their own reputations and souls? Don't they know they are bringing trouble and inviting further disaster to the Chinese people?
The lives of people who get involved in all kinds of political movements almost always end badly. This is clear to everyone who has lived through the various political environments in China. The majority of people, including government officials at different levels, always become the subject of persecution and sacrifice. Only a handful of "leaders" in the central government benefit from this strife. In every such campaign, the "enemies" demonized by the highest government officials are always proclaimed guilty beyond any doubt and deserve "ten thousand deaths" [typical Chinese Phrase to express hatred towards criminals]. The persecution of Falun Gong is no exception. No matter how much evidence the government claims it has, such as "attacking the TV stations and surrounding Zhongnanhai [the central government compound], self immolation, etc.," it is all propaganda for the current political needs and bears no relationship to the truth.
Jiang Zemin's persecution has so far caused the deaths of over 130 healthy and peaceful practitioners. Thousands of devoted Falun Gong practitioners are being tortured, detained with unlimited terms, and sent to psychiatric hospitals. Families are being torn apart, and people are deprived of the basic right to live in their own homes. But all this still cannot satisfy Jiang Zemin's jealousy and hunger for power. He now wants to spread his influence abroad beyond the PRC. He wants to extend his persecution to the U.S., and start a smear campaign designed to terminate the existence of Falun Gong, a legally registered civil organization in the U.S. Isn't this interfering in other countries' internal affairs? Will the U.S. government and people listen to Jiang Zemin? Will civilization, democracy, and rule of law bow down to violence and dictatorship?
We believe--for we can clearly see--that the U.S. political leaders know what the Chinese government is up to in its violent persecution, and that they have some basic understanding of Falun Gong and its peaceful, apolitical nature. Furthermore, many Chinese government officials have become aware of the truth behind Jiang Zemin's political campaign. Therefore, his efforts to spread hate, to cover up China's power struggle, and to suppress the Chinese people will be in vain. Seasoned U.S. politicians will not be taken in easily by Jiang Zemin.
Soon, history will prove that those who persecuted Falun Gong will be marked by shame and punished, and those who supported and respected Falun Gong will be rewarded in kind.
Falun Gong Practitioners in U.S.
February 15, 2001.
