(Clearwisdom.net) Taiwan's United Daily News reported on July 11, 2007 that Falun Gong practitioners in Chiayi City held a press conference on July 10. Attendees including professors, lawyers and representatives of public opinions concertedly condemned the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) manipulation of the Hong Kong government behind the scenes to persecute human rights. The conference suggested that everyone write a letter expressing their discontentment with the CCP, and asking the Hong Kong government to apologize to the people of Taiwan. They also expected President Chen Shui-bien to address this on behalf of the people to condemn the CCP.
The report said that the press conference was held at Chung Hsin Hotel in Chiayi City. Professor Ai Chang-rui from the Department of Business Management at National Chung Cheng University hosted the conference. Dignitaries including lawyer Tseng Chin-yuan, legislator Chuang He-ci, city councilor Chen Hsing-chi, Tsai Wen-hsu and Lai Wan-chen from the Chiayi City government, legislator Chiang Yi-hsiung, and assistant Wang Guang-lin, were invited to attend the conference.
Ms. Chen Mei-fang, teacher from Hou Bi High School, Tsai Shang-hai, a retired teacher from Bu Dai Middle School, Chen Ai-ying, a teacher from Hsing Chia Primary School and others recounted their experiences. They held valid visas but their names were on the "blacklist" used by the Hong Kong government. When their Mandarin Airlines flight arrived in Hong Kong, they were unreasonably treated. As soon as they deplaned, they were taken to the basement and not allowed to enter Hong Kong. They called on people from all walks of life in Taiwan to take this issue seriously, and condemn the Hong Kong government for persecuting human rights.
Falun Gong practitioners pointed out that more than 500 people from across Taiwan went to Hong Kong from June 24 to July 1, 2007 to participate in a grand parade, but they were all denied entry and violently deported. There were also 280 practitioners who were refused visas to enter Hong Kong.
Councilor Tsai Wen-hsu questioned, "The Hong Kong government deported Taiwanese people. What on earth is the CCP afraid of?" Councilor Chen Hsing-chi said that she had long been on the "blacklist," and that it does not matter that she can't travel to mainland China or do business. Legislator Chuang He-ci said that he was saddened seeing that Taiwanese people were subjected to the persecution. Vice President Annette Lu condemned the CCP and the Hong Kong government for not taking human rights seriously.
Chen Chang-hui, a veteran captain, said that he had been a terminal stage cancer patient, but recovered by practicing Falun Gong. He asked President Chen Shui-bien to voice concern on behalf of Falun Gong practitioners and the Taiwanese people, and to ask the Hong Kong government to apologize to the people of Taiwan.
