TAIPEI—The President of Taiwan, Chen Shuibian, met with Falun Gong practitioners on July 12 to discuss the deportation of Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners from Hong Kong on July 1.
The practitioners who met with the president included Chang Ching-hsi, secretary of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association; Ming Chu-cheng, professor of political science at the National University of Taiwan; Teresa Chu, human rights attorney who has personally been deported twice by the Chinese Communist regime; and Liao Shu-huei, reporter from the Sound of Hope Radio who was deported from Hong Kong earlier this month.
President Chen heard detailed accounts of the Hong Kong deportation from Ms. Chu and Ms. Liao. Nearly 500 Taiwanese residents arrived in Hong Kong with proper entry documents just before the July 1 anniversary of Hong Kong's takeover by Communist China. At Hong Kong Customs, they were treated violently and were detained. The practitioners asked President Chen to condemn the actions of the Hong Kong government on behalf of the Taiwanese people.
President Chen said that world peace would not be possible until the Chinese Communist Party disintegrates. The path to gain human rights is extremely strenuous. He has consistently supported the efforts of Falun Gong practitioners in the last few years.
President Chen stressed that it is his belief that human rights should be an important foundation of any country. He expressed admiration for Falun Gong practitioners' unwavering efforts to advance human rights in China. When he has met with leaders of other countries, he also often speaks of the contrast between the support Falun Gong enjoys in Taiwan, and the persecution the group is experiencing in mainland China.
President Chen believes that the reason why the CCP fears Falun Gong is not because of problems with Falun Gong, but that the CCP leadership lacks faith in itself. Human rights and freedom are worth fighting for; the practitioners should not feel discouraged by the actions of the CCP.
Ming Chu-cheng told President Chen that more than 23 million people have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. This number is increasing by 30,000 to 40,000 every day.
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