New York Councilman John Liu's relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has come into question after he allegedly offered advice to members of an angry mob that attacked Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing recently.
Liu, 41, went to Flushing after members of the pro-Communist mob were arrested for swarming and physically attacking Falun Gong practitioners during several incidents in June.
According to reports in the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, when Liu addressed the mob he did not condemn them for attacking Falun Gong practitioners, but instead advised that there were ways to harass the practitioners without breaking the law.
He told the mob they could use their "freedom of speech" to curse and make obscene gestures, but said he could not help them if they physically assaulted the Falun Gong practitioners.
Liu is possibly the most promising politician supported by the CCP, and has indicated that he may run for mayor of New York City in 2009.
Liu is the first Chinese New York City Council member. Although he was born in Taiwan he has become a VIP to the Chinese Consulate and maintains a close relationship with the Consul General and presidents of Chinese Associations, which are also communist organizations.
Falun Gong practitioners have expressed surprise at Liu's turn around, after he promised to protect their rights during his first election campaign.
While campaigning, Liu told practitioners he would advocate for them if he became a council member; but after being elected, he refused interviews with Falun Gong practitioners.
Liu also advised other council members not to support Falun Gong, adding to concerns that he was working closely with the CCP.
Liu was invited to China in 2006 after being nominated as one of the "Most Influential Overseas Chinese" by 10 CCP-controlled media companies, including Phoenix Satellite TV, World Daily, and the China News Service.
The CCP-controlled Xinhua Net website reported in March, 2007 that Liu traveled to China with Lu Chengrui, president of the Shandong Association of Fellow Provincials from New York, Hou Jianli, president of Beijing Fellows Association from New York, Xu Jiashu, president of New York Chinese Business Association, and Zhuang Zhenghui, former president of the New York Taiwan Business Council.
After that trip, Liu said in an interview with SinoVision, an America-based TV station, that he was amazed by the growth rate of China.
SinoVision was one of the media agencies that spread propaganda and incited hatred toward Falun Gong practitioners when reporting about the vicious attacks in Flushing.
Liu has lived in New York with his family since he was five. He became the representative for Northeast Queens in November 2001 and was re-elected in 2005.
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