As predicted, Chen Yonglin continues to be a thorn in China’s side. Now he’s saying part of the jobs of diplomats in the US and Australia is to denounce the FLG and propagandize against them.
China’s diplomats and agents in the United States help Beijing to carry out a crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual sect, a former Chinese diplomat who is seeking asylum in Australia said on Thursday.
Chen Yonglin told a congressional panel probing China’s human rights record that his job for the past four years at the Chinese consulate in Sydney was to spy on and to persecute followers of Falun Gong, which China banned in 1999 after branding it an “evil cult.”
He presented documents naming six diplomats in the mission he fled in May who worked for a Chinese government agency whose “sole task is to monitor and persecute the Falun Gong.”
“To my knowledge, similar groups have been established in the Chinese missions in the United States and all other countries where the Falun Gong is active,” Chen said in testimony to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.
“I know that there are over 1,000 Chinese secret agents and informants in Australia and the number in the United States should not be less,” he said.
The Chinese embassy in Washington could not be reached for comment. On July 11, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said “lies created” by Chen did not merit an official response.
Chen said Beijing viewed the United States and Australia as main Falun Gong bases abroad and Chinese diplomats there were required to denounce the group, distribute anti-sect brochures and pressure businesses, schools and media to shun Falun Gong….
Chen, 37, said he was told in 2003 by a top official from a team set up in the Chinese Foreign Ministry to fight Falun Gong that there were 60,000 followers in China, half in prison camps and half under tight government control.
Other witnesses told the hearing that Chinese officials or persons linked to U.S. missions harassed The Epoch Times newspaper and New Tang Dynasty Television, media outlets run by Falun Gong practitioners in the United States.
Not very surprising, is it?
I can see the steam coming out of Hu’s ears. I can’t stand the Epoch Times, but this kind of approach only makes martyrs of them and furthers their dubious cause.
1
By Conrad
Any Chinese diplomats confidently identified as surveiling or harassing Falun Gong or other religious practioners in the US should be expelled.
July 21, 2005 @ 8:45 pm | Comment
2
By richard
I’ll buy that, but according to Chen that could mean all Chinese diplomats.
July 21, 2005 @ 8:56 pm | Comment
3
By kevin
This guy Chen is a bundle of fun. I’ve been following his every move in the news. It’s great, I hope he continues sharing all he knows with everyone. He’s definitely got some stuff to share.
July 21, 2005 @ 9:24 pm | Comment
4
By Conrad
Fine expell the bunch of ’em. I’m not standing for a bunch of commies coming to America to infringe upon peoples’ civil liberties.
That’s we Republicans’ job.
July 21, 2005 @ 10:28 pm | Comment
5
By Gordon
Funny, the last few times I’ve visited the Chinese Consulate in Chicago, there have been hordes of FLG members sitting across the street with signs in peaceful protest.
Sure, the FLG is a cult, but are they really dangerous to others in the societies where they dwell? No.
Have you ever once heard of an FLG member doing something harmful to themselves or others around them in any community outside of China? I haven’t and I would venture to say that’s because the propaganda wing of the CCP has invented all of this shit to demonize the FLG.
If any organization is a harmful cult to society, it’s the CCP!
July 21, 2005 @ 11:18 pm | Comment
6
By richard
Well, they have done some creepy things, like surround people’s houses in huge hordes, like a scene out of Night of the Living Dead. They can be a major nuisance and they are totally off the wall. But so are some Mormons I know, and some Orthodox Jews. And some Evangelicals. And some Muslims. Not to mention those Roman Catholics! Should we torutre them, arrest them and kill them. Nah. As long as they obey the law and pay their taxes, who cares?
July 21, 2005 @ 11:21 pm | Comment
7
By China Hand
Sympathy for and identification with FLG is strikingly widespread in elite circles in China. I don’t think the CCP worries as much about the mass manifestations of this cult as they worry about its hold on educated people disillusioned with the party’s turn away from an idealistic philosophy (in theory, not practice) and alienated by the materialism of contemporary society. What makes FLG especially unnerving is that it is a mirror image of the CCP itself: a disciplined, secretive cult with an out-there ideology. With the right combination of adherents and circumstances, I believe the FLG could threaten the cohesion and supremacy of the party. Given the fact that FLG’s leader lives in the USA and given the overseas leadership’s ability to coordinate activities within China, it’s not surprising that the Chinese embassies do their best to keep tabs on and disrupt FLG overseas. The biggest conundrum for regime change enthusiasts must be the fact that FLG, the most potent dissident force in China, doesn’t possess the kind of clear democratic, confessional, or ethnic identity that our policy makers are accustomed to working with. In fact, FLG seems so incomprehensible that there seems to be little interest outside of the circle of true believers in engaging and understanding FLG, let alone sympathizing and supporting it, even among the fire-eating confront-China crowd. If there are any FLG experts out there, I’d appreciate their comments.
July 21, 2005 @ 11:26 pm | Comment
8
By richard
Bingfeng has some strong thoughts on the matter. 🙂
Interesting points, China Hand. I sure wouldn’t want the CCP repalced bwith the FLG. Let me rephrase: Ideally we could find someone better to step into the CCp’s shoes. But if they’re the only ones in the wings, I guess I’d be willing to give them a go at it. What could they do worse?
July 21, 2005 @ 11:29 pm | Comment
9
By Conrad
How about the Jehova’s Witnesses? Can we torture, arrest and kill them?
Please.
July 22, 2005 @ 12:22 am | Comment
10
By Bing
He was a bastard minion of CCP
He is a bastard traitor of China
He is going to be a bastard henchman of USA
July 22, 2005 @ 2:51 am | Comment
11
By Fat Cat
I am summarising below Karin Aalderink’s view on some possible reasons why the CCP is so eager to suppress the Falungong movement:
Like all previous Chinese governments, the current government is highly focused on avoiding outbursts of social unrest by unsatisfied citizens. In this context, the Falun Gong is dangerous because of two reasons. First of all, the Falun Gong is popular among many people who live at the margin of society and many elderly people who do not reap the fruits of fifty years of Socialism. They might find in the Falun Gong a channel through which they can express their dissatisfaction with the actions of the government. Second, the group might function as a catalyst behind potential upheavals when non-Falun Dafa adherents “travel” with the group’s actions of defiance.
You can access Aalderink’s thesis at http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/bth/falun.htm
Benjamin Penny is also a leading expert in the Falungong movement. You can also access his publication details at
the Australian National University homepage.
July 22, 2005 @ 2:58 am | Comment
12
By American man
Bing, Are you saying that he’s a bastard?
July 22, 2005 @ 3:00 am | Comment
13
By Bing
CCP is never in short of scums like him. Insead, they make up the framework of CPP. People like hime are one of the main reasons for the corruption and moral degradation in China. Let them all go to free American. They must be able to excel in there, like Abu Hamza in UK. The same applies for all other wheelers.
A good riddance.
Thank you USA!
July 22, 2005 @ 3:03 am | Comment
14
By Bing
I won’t be suprsied if a flood of Chinese officials would defect and claim to be certain kinds of spy or compelled-persecutor if they had such a chance.
He is just one lucky bastard who got that chance.
That is actually a good point!
The American should open wide its gate for all corrupted CCP members to come in and brainwash them with Democratic Capitalism, which would save all of us.
Seriously, someone thinks about that!
July 22, 2005 @ 3:15 am | Comment
15
By American man
If all corrupt and morally degraded Chinese moved to America,We’d have a population of (give or take) 1.6 billion. We already have Chinatown’s everywhere. There’s only so much we can do for you. You need to do it yourself.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:15 am | Comment
16
By Bing
That’s all right, do your best to take as many as possible.
They come to US to start costing your wealth and stop squandering and grafting ours.
Not a bad deal for us?
A mush better way than stowaway to get a green card.
As one of you mentioned, wheelers don’t do bad things except harrassing Chinese embassy.
Sure you have done a great job which Chinese government can’t do without the ability to give them that much social benefits just for their special belief.
Let them live peace and happy in US.
We still have a lot more other cults, help yourselves and don’t be shy.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:25 am | Comment
17
By American man
Bing, You make me laugh! You are humor! Very,very humor!
July 22, 2005 @ 3:29 am | Comment
18
By American man
Can someone else take the Amway people?
July 22, 2005 @ 3:30 am | Comment
19
By Bing
AM
I tried to be serious, sorry if I failed.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:31 am | Comment
20
By American man
You learn more from your failures.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:32 am | Comment
21
By American man
Bing, in London,what’s the most popular night for Paki bashin’?
July 22, 2005 @ 3:33 am | Comment
22
By Bing
Why Paki bashin?
July 22, 2005 @ 3:37 am | Comment
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By kevin
i am pretty sure the corrupt guys would want to stay in china. they have a pretty nice little fiefdom here.
did i spell that right? i before e except after c…
July 22, 2005 @ 3:39 am | Comment
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By American man
When I was in London it seemed to be a very popular sport. Anyway it goes like this: Get really, really pissed (drunk) at the ol’ local. Pub closes about 11:30. Go to “Chippy” Commence beating of Paki’s.Go home. Sleep it off.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:42 am | Comment
25
By Bing
kevin
The minnow family would definitely have to stay in China.
The tuna family would definitely want the free ocean of American.
Take the tuna, leave us minnow if it is too much to afford altogether.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:47 am | Comment
26
By Bing
Even though that is still a popular “game”, I don’t think that could be my game unless I acted as the ball.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:48 am | Comment
27
By American man
I’m guessing it is enjoying a bit of a revival right now! Bing, be careful.I have a Mexican-American friend who was beaten after 9/11. They thought he was Muslim.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:52 am | Comment
28
By Bing
It’s a bit difficult, if not impossible, for me to bear a full-blown beard, so I would be much more worried about going to Afghan than staying in London.
July 22, 2005 @ 3:56 am | Comment
29
By American man
Never underestimate people’s stupidity.I’m worried sick about you!
July 22, 2005 @ 3:59 am | Comment
30
By American man
I forgot you couldn’t grow a MAN’S beard.
July 22, 2005 @ 4:00 am | Comment
31
By kevin
bing:
umm… huh? sorry it’s been a long day and i can’t quite follow the tuna/ minnow thing. that’s too deep for me.
but if it is a metaphor for “big” and “small,” then I would argue that the more corrupt an official is, the more likely they are to stay, and enjoy the life that they have. i spent time with a corrupt official last weekend, unfortunately. little to my suprise, he loved his country and loved his system! China is one of the best places to be corrupt in the world! At least China finally has chances of getting global first place rankings for something besides its population
July 22, 2005 @ 4:02 am | Comment
32
By Bing
Mine is WOMAN’s beard, does that satisfy you AM?
July 22, 2005 @ 4:02 am | Comment
33
By Bing
kevin,
Where are the other familiy members of that corrupted one? Or where are his grandchildren?
July 22, 2005 @ 4:05 am | Comment
34
By kevin
his family and “ernai” are all living happily here in China
July 22, 2005 @ 4:13 am | Comment
35
By Bing
Kevin,
What if US allow Chinese corrupted officials to easily get Visa protection?
I don’t see why there wouldn’t be a food of them going for that.
July 22, 2005 @ 4:19 am | Comment
36
By American man
Pakistani women have beards.Like I said be careful.
July 22, 2005 @ 5:23 am | Comment
37
By American man
Bing,seriously,What has been your biggest adjustment to living in England?I ask because my Chinese wife will be moving to the U.S. with me.Any advice would be helpful. If you choose to answer, do it on the open thread.
July 22, 2005 @ 5:46 am | Comment
38
By Bing
“Pakistani women have beards.Like I said be careful.”
Oh yeah, next time I hang around, I won’t wear my scarf.
July 22, 2005 @ 6:44 am | Comment
39
By renxu
Well, in my view, this Chen is increasely becoming a nuisance althought I think there are some truth about what he said (so what). Remember the guy Harry Wu? Like Harry, Chen will loose appeal soon. And I don’t think the China government care much about him.
July 22, 2005 @ 11:19 am | Comment
40
By yih
What is this site ? China bashing group ? I think all consulates and ambassies are all roaming with intelligence and spies — and Chan now is your site’s hero ? While you nation keep on bashing on the Muslims and your Blah blah Blairsheep keep repeating the same “resolve” like the puppy dog following his master of another dumb ass from Texas is valid ? 🙂 Amazing
July 23, 2005 @ 12:17 pm | Comment
41
By richard
Hi Yih, and welcome to the Peking Duck, where everyone is free to comment and share their viewpoint no matter your politics, nationality or race. This is not a China bashing site, and there are many Chinese commenters who participate here becuase they recognize that. I am very critical of my nation, and I never, ever bash Moslems (or any other religion). And I criticize Bush every day – I can’t stand the guy. Can you go onto your own online forums and criticize Hu the way I criticize Bush?
Anyway, to criticize the CCP is not to criticize China. Chen is Chinese and I admire him, so obviously I am not anti-China. I critcize Blair and Bush a lot, but I am not bashing England or the US. Please try to see the difference, and I hope to see you here again. Thanks!
July 23, 2005 @ 12:36 pm | Comment
42
By mi
admire Chen? what kind of person are you? Richard! a person betrayed his motherland, betrayed his soul in order to get feedED. lowest of the lowest human being. Death to dog CHen!! Pig Chen, shit Chen!!
July 23, 2005 @ 10:45 pm | Comment
43
By richard
Chen was being asked by his beloved country to inflict pain and suffering on his fellow Chinese citizens simply becuase they were members of an unpopular group. What a great hero, to stand up to his own bosses, risking his own life and that of his family members to protect his fellow Chinese. What a great Chinese hero. The CCP should put up a huge statue of him in the Great Hall of the People, and replace the huge Mao portrait in Tiananmen Square with a portrait of Chen Yongling, a true Chinese hero.
July 23, 2005 @ 10:51 pm | Comment
44
By Bing
A true Chinese hero for Chen?
Is this kind of bastard all we Chinese can produce?
“to stand up to his own bosses, risking his own life and that of his family members to protect his fellow Chinese.”
Then suicide bombers must be grand great heros of all muslem. They not only risk but sacrifice themsevles altogether.
Yeah he might have been risking his familiy, not for helping fellow chinese but playing a high stake for his own benefits.
July 24, 2005 @ 4:29 am | Comment
45
By richard
Bing, I was beng a bit facetious. I don’t think he’s necessariuly a great hero, but this assertion that he is a monster or comparable to a suicide bomber is quite silly,don’t you think?
July 24, 2005 @ 5:24 am | Comment
46
By Bing
Oh Richard,
Sorry if I didn’t sense you humor.
Thanks for the word facetious that is new to me.
July 24, 2005 @ 5:33 am | Comment
47
By Bing
He is definitely not a monster or comparable to a suicide bomber.
He is at most a clownish minion.
July 24, 2005 @ 5:34 am | Comment
48
By ko
it is so laughable that you western guys would think so much of this rubbish Chen!! he is mere a pig, a dog, shit what ever… I feel sorry for his wife and daughter..
July 27, 2005 @ 10:32 am | Comment
49
By Johnny K
Does the assertion that Chen is a “clownish moron” have any justification other than that you don’t like what he says?
July 27, 2005 @ 10:34 am | Comment
50
By richard
Chen is a great Chinese hero. I have recommended they replace that old portrait of Mao over Tiananmen Square with a portrait of Chen. The Party replied that my request is now under review.
July 27, 2005 @ 11:10 am | Comment
51
By Bing
ko
Why did you say he is a dog?
For Western people, dog is such a lovely creature!
Mind your wording, thanks.
July 28, 2005 @ 2:23 pm | Comment
52
By ko
Bing, you are right. I think use shit to describe CHen is better!!
July 30, 2005 @ 3:03 pm | Comment
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By ko
Richard, it seems you really like this shit chen, hum, I feel sorry for you!!
your soul need to be rescued.
July 30, 2005 @ 3:05 pm | Comment