Dear representatives from Chicago and all Members of Congress:
A few days ago I read on aboluowang.com that the Chicago Chinese consulate sent a letter to Mr. Timothy Johnson, the Representative for the Illinois 15th District in the US House of Representatives, warning him not to attend the NTDTV 2008 Global Chinese New Year Spectacular Show in Chicago. The consulate also demanded that he not send a congratulatory letter to the show, and slandered Falun Gong.
I also heard that the Chinese consulate sent similar letters to every member of Congress in the US. These rude and inappropriate actions of the Chicago Chinese consulate are most disturbing to me, a Chinese who has lived in Chicago for more than twenty years.
This letter from the Chinese consulate is not only discriminatory and slanderous of practitioners of Falun Gong, but also full of blatant lies and hatred. I only need highlight one of the deceitful statements in this letter, and you will easily see how devious and outlandish the letter is.
This letter said that in China, a thousand Falun Gong adherents died due to refusing to seek medical attention; and that hundreds of Falun Gong adherents committed suicide. But please look at the numerous Falun Gong practitioners living in democratic countries and see if any of them die or commit suicide like the letter described.
For the past eight years, Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted and slaughtered only in communist China. In all free countries, Falun Gong practitioners are all allowed to practice peacefully, with freedom. There are several hundred Falun Gong practitioners in Chicago and several thousands in the United States.
In Taiwan, half a million are practicing Falun Gong. There are so many Falun Gong practitioners around the world, yet we don't see any of them dropping dead from refusing to see doctors. Besides, it is one's own personal choice whether or not to see a doctor. It should not be used as an excuse for persecution. With regard to suicide, Falun Gong practitioners outside of China don't seem to be committing suicide either. On the contrary, Falun Gong prohibits committing suicide.
In reality Falun Gong practitioners, who deeply value life, are all suffering from immense unrestrained persecution and killing at the hands of the Chinese government. From this letter, it isn't hard to see the Chinese authorities' irrationality and complete disregard for human rights.
Other claims made in this letter, such as warnings of the explosion of the Earth, were all fabricated and designed to smear Falun Gong's image. They are so ridiculous and preposterous that they are not even worth refuting. With such nonsense, the Chinese consulate tries to impose their own misled thinking onto others. The Chinese consulate has brought shame and humiliation on China.
This letter infringes on and ignores the freedoms and rights of not only Chinese all over the world, but also US Congress members. The Chinese Consulate in Chicago does not have the authority to write such a letter which insults and offends the recipients.
It does not have the right to ask the Congress members not to accept an invitation to the show. Nor does it have the right to ask members of Congress not to send letters in support of the show. The actions of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago have brought the Chinese communist regimes' domineering totalitarianism into this free and democratic land.
This letter, written with hatred and filled with threats, ignores freedom of belief and value for human rights generally held in America. Discrimination against those with belief has also harmed the harmony and tolerance in Chinese communities. Such discrimination from the Chinese communist regime makes me feel inexpressible horror.
I am not a Falun Gong practitioner, but many of my friends practice Falun Gong. They are law-abiding citizens and pay their taxes like everyone else. What's more, they have made great and unprecedented contributions to the Chinese community.
Media professionals among Falun Gong practitioners established a Chinese-language television station (NTDTV), and a newspaper (The Epoch Times). Professional artists among them have brought the world the Chinese New Year Spectacular Show every year .
Because the Chinese New Year Spectacular displays the profundity of Chinese culture, in addition to being a first-rate production with high artistic quality, the show is gaining more and more popularity among Chinese.
I have seen NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular every year since its inception in 2004. I booked tickets for this year's show a few months ago and I have been longing to see this wonderful show for a while now. Each of the past shows has deeply touched my heart with its rich, novel and meaningful programs.
The Divine Performing Arts company consists of all kinds of professional artists. Many of them have been the top artists in China for their given art. Their programs are perfect in all areas; from the costumes to the choreography and audio effects. The digital backdrop, dancing, orchestra, instrumental solos and vocal performances are just flawless; the entire show is beautiful.
With such a high artistic level, the show has won the hearts of artists and Hollywood performers. This year, the Divine Performing Arts company has recruited even more professionals and artists; the original company has grown to become two.
I believe that if you want to know how wonderful this show is, if you want to understand just how degrading the consulate's letter is, you need to see the show for yourself.
May every member of Congress have a happy Chinese New Year!
Feeds