It is the end of summer and the start of autumn, Melbourne's sun is warm and congenial, shinning brightly on people of all ethnic backgrounds coming and going, this city renowned for "best city to live in the world" appears even more beautiful and vibrant.
It is 12 noon at the Melbourne central train station (9:00 am Beijing standard time) on March 6, the ebb and flow of people is continuous as usual, but today is an unusual day due to the dozens of Chinese people gathering on the sidewalk by the entrance. People of different ages, background, professions have gathered together for the same aspiration — — "to defend human rights, to appeal for law and order in China, to carry on a relay hunger strike against violence, to let the world know" this is the start of the 24 hour Global Relay Hunger Strike in Melbourne.
As an ordinary Chinese who escaped from Mainland China, I am enjoying the sweetness of freedom. Today, for my fellow countrymen who are still in tribulation, for guarding human rights, for ending one party dictatorship in China, along with global peace loving and democratic people in Mainland China and worldwide, for the second time in my life, I am carrying on the hunger strike against violence! I feel immensely proud of myself!
Unity is Strength
Amongst the 40 or more Chinese from all walks of life who participated in the Melbourne hunger strike group this time are; "Federation for Democratic China" vice president Mr. Liang Youcan, "Chinese Democratic Movement" Melbourne alliance Mr. Zhang Weiqiang and Ms. Chen Ying, "Chinese Political Party Alliance" deputy secretary-general Mr. Ruan jie, representatives from the "Epoch Times", "Free China", etc. Although their backgrounds are different, all participants worked as one body, they are sincere and honest to each other and encourage one another. This is all because they are here with one common aspiration and one common goal. This kind of union beyond differences in belief, party and thoughts yet is long lasting, stable and effective, touched me tremendously.
Not so long ago I saw many mutually accusing articles appearing on some well known websites. Putting aside my personal viewpoint, out of sensitivity from my past profession, I feel anxious and restless. I once was a cogwheel in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) system and I understood clearly that the mutual criticism and fault picking will ultimately benefit this evil CCP. Do not forget, the nine big "genes" of the CCP include "fighting", "inciting", "separating", "controlling", and "extinguishing". The CCP is the grandfather in the manipulating of conflicts and encouraging strife. Please think twice, all predecessors! Melbourne is worthy of its reputation as best city to live because it is such a peaceful environment, the people are united and full of righteousness. Although there are differences in opinion, so long as we are honest with each other and truly consider people's welfare as foremost, through open communication, all problems can be resolved! The CCP can eliminate unstable factors when they first appear, so why can't we try to resolve our conflicts when they first sprout? The only difference is we are using conscience and justice.
Spirit-Connecting Blue Ribbons
The March 6 activity was held in the center of Melbourne city where it was most boisterous with a large flow of crowd. This enabled more people to become aware of what was happening in China and to understand the great effort the overseas Chinese have put in to disintegrate the CCP and in seeking freedom. When learning that ten thousand people worldwide including Chinese in the Mainland are carrying out hunger strikes simultaneously to protest the CCP's tyranny today, many Australians are shocked; some of them even shed tears. People anxiously wanted to know "What can we do for you?" I told them, please pin a blue ribbon on yourselves and tell your friends what you have seen and heard. They invariably accepted the blue ribbon. At that moment, I was truly moved by all those who have been working for a future China. I myself am amazed how one little blue ribbon has tightly connected together people's hearts, kindness and the longing for freedom. I believe this connection will get longer and longer!
My fellow Chinese countrymen have inspired me deeply, it seems like they are changing too. I remember when I first arrived in Australia, some Chinese people looked at Falun Gong with hatred, but not anymore. What has taken its place is sympathy and support. Some Chinese students bravely asked questions and asked for materials. I have met several mainland tourist groups. Some who were obviously government officials in the groups also accepted the pamphlets and read them. This is change! This is victory! May be there is the second Hao Fengjun among them. If there is, I will definitely give him a big hug…my thoughts run wild.
Time went by faster than I realized. The night was already deep but the train station was still very busy. Although I felt hungry on and off, but in our discussions together and distributing materials continuously, I am not tired at all. By 2:00 am on March 7, the flow of people started to drop. Late at night, strangers brought us hot tea and talked with us. The night passed by, the sun rises slowly and we welcome the start of a new day next to Melbourne train station.
Hao Fegjun was an officer in China's notorious 610 Office , a Gestapo-like police unit given complete freedom to use any means to persecute Falun Gong practitioners with the goal of "eradicating" Falun Gong. Hao defected to Australia in February 2005 and has provided a wealth of information about the sordid inner workings of the CCP's most brutal police units.
For more information please see: :
Hao Fengjun: Why I Escaped from China (Part I)
Hao Fengjun: Why I Escaped from China (Part II)
Hao Fengjun: Why I Escaped from China (Part III)
Hao Fengjun Reveals Facts of the '610 Office'
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