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China Times (Taiwan): Falun Gong Practitioners Shot in South Africa

July 2, 2004

(Clearwisdom.net) Translated from a China Times report on July 1 from Taipei -- During Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong's official visit to South Africa on June 28, the vehicle driven by Falun Gong practitioner David Liang, who went to South Africa to attend a peaceful appeal, encountered a drive-by shooting. Liang was injured in both feet, with one foot fractured. He was the only one shot and the only one in the vehicle who wore clothing imprinted with the words "Falun Dafa." Taiwan Falun Dafa Association condemned the Chinese government for this act of violence. This was also the first time that Falun Gong practitioners were shot outside China.

Taiwan Falun Dafa practitioner, Professor Chang Jin-hua from the News Research Institute of Taiwan University introduced that Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong followed former Chinese President Jiang Zemin's directives to suppress Falun Dafa at large. He arrived at South Africa on June 27 for an official visit. Falun Gong practitioners planned to go there and stage a peaceful appeal.

Mr. Chang Jin-hua said that nine Australian Falun Gong practitioners arrived at South Africa on June 28. Local practitioners went to pick them up. They rode two cars to go to the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria to hold a protest. On their way, a white car drove by, and people in the car opened fire from the side slightly behind the second vehicle driven by practitioners.

Chang Jin-hua described that only David Liang, who drove the second car, wore a jacket with words, "Falun Dafa" and he was the only person injured. Both of his feet were shot and wounded. One foot was smashed and fractured. He was immediately sent to a hospital. Because the attackers did not rob them after the shooting, the incident is suspected more than a simple case of violating the public safety.

Taiwan Falun Dafa Association suspected that the gunmen were hired. Mr. Chang said that over the past five years of Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong, under Jiang Zemin's directives, it has been verified that nearly 1000 practitioners died from the persecution. These are verified. The estimated number may be more than 10,000.

Taiwan Falun Dafa Association expressed that in addition to condemnation, they will continue to file lawsuits outside China and their effort will not be affected by this incident.