David Meets Goliath

Abstract

This chapter chronicles the conflict between Falun Gong and the Chinese state. It begins by tracing the flagging fortunes of the qigong boom beginning in the mid‐1990s, a decline which prompted Li Hongzhi to leave China in 1995 and to establish residency in the United States. Falun Gong practitioners in China reacted to increasing media criticism within China by engaging in large, peaceful protests directed at the newspaper, magazine, or television station which had criticized the group. This strategy led eventually to the massive Falun Gong demonstration outside CCP headquarters in Beijing on 25 April 1999, which resulted in the launching of the suppression campaign against Falun Gong. The chapter devotes considerable attention to the competing wars of representation fought by the Chinese state and Falun Gong as each sought to sway public opinion. Falun Gong ultimately lost this battle and became increasingly political, a stance symbolized by the founding of a Falun Gong–run newspaper, the Epoch Times, which tirelessly criticizes the CCP.

Burning for a Cause: Four Factors in Successful Political (and Religious) Self-Immolation Examined in Relation to Alleged Falun Gong “Fanatics” in Tiananmen Square

“…Similarly it is not discussed in many studies on Falun Gong (e.g., Adams 2014; Li 2014; and Penny 2012) or given passing mention e.g. (Chang 2004, 104; ter Haar 2002, 2 paragraphs; the lengthiest analysis is Ownby 2008b, 216–219).…”

“…The path that led to the tragic events in Tiananmen are told differently by each side, but central was Falun Gong's arranging for around 10 to 15 thousand of its members coming to Beijing on April 25, 1999 to stage a seated meditation protest, and raising placards stating their aim, outside the Communist Party headquarters at Zhongnanhai — this is adjacent to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (Adams 2014, 146–147). The background to this relates to the massive rise and popularity of Qi Gong movements in China in the 1980s and the regime's attempts to criticize and control it (see Palmer 2008; and Ownby 2008b). Increasing pressure on Qi Gong groups, which had initially been backed by the government and research groups, saw many criticisms in the press and by intellectuals.…”

“…Often after protests, media companies would apologize to the Qi Gong group concerned, but a protest by Falun Gong in Tianjin saw police using strong arm tactics. Complaints led, it seems, to the protestors being told to take their grievances directly to Beijing leading to the fateful demonstration (for a fuller account see Ownby 2008b, 165–174; and Li 2014, 193–195).…”

“…It has been suggested though that this historical explanation is scholarly fantasy, and not the way a government would respond to a peaceful protest, suggesting it was simply a show of power against Qi Gong (Lemish 2008; and Palmer 2008). However, this overlooks the Chinese context, with an inbuilt fear of potential rebellion, while it is noted that Falun Gong had more members than the Communist Party, including high placed followers in the party, the army, and universities (see Ownby 2008b, 171; and Li 2014, 191). Indeed, the argument that the Communist Party was posturing against Qi Gong is not incompatible with it also putting down a potentially revolutionary enemy.…”

“…While we do not know whether the self-immolators were inspired by being Falun Gong practitioners, external sources suggest that, except the child, all were known Falun Gong activists, with the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy being the main source for this, although one investigative journalist has cast doubts on this (Pan 2001). However, it seems doubtful that an order to self-immolate came from the Falun Gong hierarchy; no substantive evidence has been put forward, while clear directives and regulations against suicide or any form of self-harm have always been part of the teachings of the movement (see Ownby 2008b, 216–217). However, Helen Farley (2014) argues there are elements which may have led some to see self-immolation as a legitimate act in the situation when considered against the backdrop of the movement's increasingly apocalyptic teachings, while she also suggests directives not to seek medical help can also be seen as a form of suicide promotion.…”