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 Human Rights

China has an atrocious history of human rights, especially freedom of speech. This can be displayed through the treatment of the religious group, Falun Gong. First, the practice was banned in 1999; the government’s reasoning being that it was a “heretical organization”. Next, Chinese authorities launched a widespread propaganda campaign, painting the Falun Gong as a cult. At the same time, pro-Falun Gong media was eliminated. All books and informational media discussing the group positively were banned; websites were blocked. This holds true today. Peaceful protests also took place, some of them as large as the Tiananmen Square gathering. Instead of tolerance and understanding, however, they were met with violence, as many were beaten and arrested. The Chinese government has committed many injustices, but taken away citizen’s freedom of speech is perhaps the worst.

Global Interdependence

Although the Falun Gong religious group does not have a direct influence on China's economy, they do have an impact on the economic state of the country. The government of China has taken extreme interest in eliminating the followers of Falun Gong. Due to the fact that Chinese official's are preoccupied trying to quell the religious group, the economy of the country in 1999 took a nose dive. Instead of focusing on the depression that the country had fallen in to, the government remained adamant on persecuting the Falun Gong. More recently, this spiritual organization was targeted preceding the Olympic Games. The campaign had escalated during the few months before the games, with thousands being imprisoned; the majority lived close to the Olympic venues. The Chinese authorities feared that Falun Gong would use the international media to draw attention to their causes, therefore harming their global relations.

Environment The Falun Gong does not have an effect on the environment. Like other individuals, followers are concerned about the state of the environment; however, the views of the Falun Gong are not considered by the Chinese government. 

Tolerance of Diversity  Falun Gong is generally acceptant of other groups in regard to religion. The group does not require their practices to be primary, but rather in addition to any pre-existing beliefs. Any faith is welcome to learn Falun Gong; it does not have to be exclusive. Also, since Falun Gong followers have been subjected to persecution from the Chinese government, they understand the circumstances of other religious groups. Despite the neutral relationship between Falun Gong and other groups, the Falun Gong have had limited connections with others due to the fact that they are timid to be associated with Falun Gong. Many individuals and other organizations fear that they too will suffer from government discrimination if they get involved with Falun Gong followers.

What efforts have you taken to interact with China?

After 1999 when the Falun Gong religion was abolished, followers attempted to peacefully protest; however, police quickly showed up on the scene and beat and arrested demonstrators. Since the organization has been persecuted and subjected to violence, followers no longer wish to try and reason with the government.

Positive relationship with China?

Falun Gong followers have developed a poor relationship with China. This negative connection arose in 1996 when China began to realize the amount of influence the religious group had on society, and therefore feared their rising popularity. Soon after, a local newspaper, the Guangming Daily, published an controversial article regarding Falun Gong. Many religious followers were infuriated by this print story and were quick to resent its ideas. In 1999, the government abolished the Falun Gong organization. Today, there is still conflict between these two factions, which will probably remain in the near future. After all, there are differences between the government's strict political ideology and Falun Gong's principles, "Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance". Even the nature of communism requires there to be a "class enemy" to "struggle" against. Because of that persecution, Falun Gong and China have not had a positive relationship.

Do you intend on promoting the progress of China?

Falun Gong followers do not wish to promote the progress of China. The Chinese government has made it quite clear that they resent the religious practices of the group and so followers do not see it fit to glorify China. The Falun Gong group has suffered from extreme persecution from the government and has been discriminated against for more than a decade. Followers would practice the religion quietly within their homes; however, the government would partake in raiding their houses, kidnapping them in the process. Falun Gong individuals were then sometimes taken to labor camps, where they were required to work up to 20 hours a day producing goods for the Chinese to export and receiving no pay. Religious devotees were additionally shocked with electric baton, burned with irons, and in some cases were raped and tortured through sexual violence. The Falun Gong are also commonly dismissed from work and deprived of health care and pensions. In addition, followers were the targets of organ harvestings. They were killed by the thousands in order for their organs to be removed for urgent transplant. This discrimination has caused the Falun Gong to have scornful views towards China.

What impact will China have on the next 50 years of world history?

In the next 50 years, China will have a negative impact on world history. The government of China has shown that it will persecute groups that threaten the authority of the country. The Falun Gong are a peaceful group that only wished to practice their religion; however, the Chinese government has discriminated against the group. In the future, nothing is preventing China from persecuting other groups of people. The communist political system of China is not helping citizens to strive to reach political or economic sucess. Instead, the government wants to keep individuals at a lower level to ensure that they have complete control over the country. Speaking for the Falun Gong, China is not a positive role model and could very well have a detrimental impact on the history of the world in the next 50 years.

Work Cited

"Asia Times: China, Falun Gong and the Politics of Economic Depression." Asia Times Online :: Asian News Hub Providing the Latest News and Analysis from Asia. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. [].

Cuthbertson, Charlotte. "Falun Gong Targeted Ahead of Beijing Olympics." The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times, 09 July 2008. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. [].

"Falun Dafa." Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa Association. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. <[]>.

Jacobs, Andrew. "After 10 Years and 2,000 Deaths, China Still Presses Its Crusade Against Falun Gong - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 06 Apr. 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. []