(Minghui.org) Practitioners from central Taiwan gathered at Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City on July 18, 2026, to hold a rally and candlelight vigil marking 27 years of the persecution of Falun Gong. They commemorated practitioners who lost their lives as a result of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution for their faith.
Several elected officials and scholars attended the event despite periods of rain that afternoon, while others sent prerecorded messages of support. They commended Falun Gong practitioners for their peaceful and rational efforts to oppose the persecution over the past 27 years.
They also called on the international community to pay attention to the CCP’s ongoing persecution and transnational repression and to work together to protect human rights and freedom of belief.
Rally Continues Despite Wind and Rain, Candlelight Vigil Commemorates the Victims
Falun Gong practitioners hold a rally and candlelight vigil at Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City. (Minghui.org)
Practitioners’ candlelight vigil commemorates those who died as a result of the CCP’s persecution. (Minghui.org)
The event began in the afternoon. Practitioners displayed banners that read: “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Good,” and “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong.” By demonstrating the exercises, hosting a truth-clarification photo exhibit, and presenting dramatic reenactments, they introduced Falun Gong and exposed the CCP’s persecution.
Although heavy wind and rain swept through during the event, the activities continued as planned. After nightfall, practitioners held a candlelight vigil to commemorate those who have died during the persecution and called on society to help end the persecution.
Members of the public view a photo exhibition about Falun Gong and the CCP’s persecution. (Minghui.org)
Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-ta: Peaceful Perseverance Commands Respect
Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-ta at the rally (Minghui.org)
Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-ta expressed his respect for Falun Gong at the rally: “Falun Gong practitioners’ 27 years of peaceful and rational resistance to the persecution have drawn the attention of the international community and helped people recognize the true nature of the CCP’s tyranny.
“The spirit of Falun Gong practitioners in upholding universal values and safeguarding civilization is something Taiwan’s society can learn from,” he said. “On behalf of the citizens, I would like to express my respect. The efforts that Falun Gong practitioners have made over the years are very meaningful and valuable.”
Huang recalled that, many years ago while on a trip to Australia with his family, he first learned about the persecution from Falun Gong practitioners in Sydney. Their quiet yet steadfast manner left a deep impression on him. During his university years, he encountered practitioners on many occasions, which further deepened his understanding of the nature of the CCP and its authoritarian rule.
He said that it is precisely because Falun Gong practitioners have persisted in peacefully, rationally, and nonviolently telling people the facts over the past 27 years that the message has continued to spread and that such perseverance is truly admirable.
He said that the CCP’s transnational repression, which has expanded from persecuting Falun Gong to targeting other groups, means that, in addition to strengthening legal protections, the power of civil society is equally important. As long as society remains vigilant and aware, it can effectively respond to such threats.
“Falun Gong’s experience in protesting the persecution is an important resource for Taiwan as it works to safeguard democracy and strengthen democratic resilience,” he said.
Councilor Liu Shih-chou: Protecting Falun Gong Means Protecting Everyone
Taichung City Councilor Liu Shih-chou says that promoting legislation to stop the CCP’s abuses is also a way to protect everyone. (Minghui.org)
At the rally, Taichung City Councilor Liu Shih-chou said that Falun Gong practitioners have spent the past 27 years exposing the CCP’s tyranny and enabling the international community to learn the truth, an effort he greatly admires. “Thank you for bravely standing up to support Falun Gong practitioners who have long been persecuted,” he said.
Referring to the CCP’s organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners, Liu said, “This is an atrocity that cannot be tolerated by heaven or earth.” He condemned the involvement of some Taiwanese medical personnel who have participated in these types of activities in China and pointed out that promoting legislation to stop forced organ harvesting and protect Falun Gong is essential. “This is not only about protecting Falun Gong—it is about protecting everyone.”
On the issue of transnational repression, Liu said that Taiwan already has pertinant laws and that the government should actively respond to actions that endanger Taiwan. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and strengthen awareness of potential threats. He said that Falun Gong’s long-standing efforts to oppose the persecution have provided valuable lessons for Taiwanese society.
Councilor Chou Yung-hung: Democratic Nations Should All Protect Falun Gong Together
Taichung City Councilor Chou Yung-hung calls on democratic nations to work together to protect Falun Gong. (Minghui.org)
Chou Yung-hung, chief whip of the Democratic Progressive Party caucus in the Taichung City Council, sent a prerecorded message supporting Falun Gong. He said that Falun Gong is not a political organization, but a cultivation practice that promotes health and the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Such a group can operate legally throughout the world, yet only in China are its practitioners subjected to forced organ harvesting and transnational repression.
“Forced organ harvesting is a crime against humanity,” he said. “It is thousands of times more serious than ordinary murder because it amounts to the extermination of a group.
“Falun Gong is the clearest example of the CCP’s transnational repression and forced organ harvesting,” he said. “The Taiwanese government has a responsibility to protect Falun Gong, and democratic governments around the world have the same responsibility.”
Scholar Yang Tsung-jung: Peaceful Protests Demonstrate a High Level of Civilization
Scholar Yang Tsung-jung says that Falun Gong’s peaceful and rational opposition to the persecution reflects a high level of civilization. (Minghui.org)
Yang Tsung-jung, former chairman of the Central Taiwan Professors’ Association, said that 27 years of resisting the persecution “is an extraordinarily long time, and the courage of Falun Gong practitioners is truly admirable.
“Confronting an evil regime requires tremendous strength and unity,” he said. Yet Falun Gong, as a group, “has expressed its appeal through peaceful, rational means and through art and culture. This approach is highly consistent with the values of a civilized society and is truly remarkable.”
Yang also observed that Falun Gong enjoys strong support in Taiwan and throughout Europe and North America, and that people from diverse backgrounds around the world are able to understand and support the practice.
Regarding the issue of forced organ harvesting, Yang said that practitioners have persistently exposed the persecution over many years, enabling the international community to become increasingly aware of the issue. He expressed admiration for practitioners’ perseverance and called on the international community to continue paying attention to and condemning the CCP’s abuses.
Elected Officials Call for Legislation Against Transnational Repression
Taichung City Councilor Hsieh Chih-chung calls on democratic nations to jointly resist the CCP’s transnational repression. (Minghui.org)
Taichung City Councilor Hsieh Chih-chung expressed his long-standing support at the rally. He said that whenever his schedule permits, he never misses Falun Gong’s annual events to protest the persecution. He said that practitioners have remained steadfast in their belief for 27 years, and that the cumulative impact of their efforts has gradually gained international recognition. He said he hopes that more people will join together in the future to help stop the CCP’s abuses.
Hsieh said that transnational repression has always been one of the CCP’s methods of suppression. “If the CCP engages in transnational repression, then all countries that cherish freedom should provide transnational support,” he said.
He said Taiwan should unite the forces of peace, in opposition to violence, and protect human rights to support those facing persecution across borders.
Taichung City Councilor Lee Tien-sheng has long supported Falun Gong and calls on more people to pay attention to the persecution. (Minghui.org)
Taichung City Councilor Lee Tien-sheng said that he has supported Falun Gong through concrete actions for many years. He said that practitioners have always upheld the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance while continuing to expose the CCP’s persecution, helping more people recognize the regime’s true nature.
He called on all sectors of society to continue supporting Falun Gong and to promote resolutions and legislation in local councils to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. He pledged to take the lead in introducing such proposals and to invite more elected representatives to join the effort through co-sponsorship.
Nantou County Councilor Liao Tzu-yu praises Falun Gong practitioners for their long-standing peaceful and rational resistance to the persecution. (Minghui.org)
Nantou County Councilor Liao Tzu-yu said, “The CCP has persecuted Falun Gong practitioners for many years. With steadfast faith and perseverance, practitioners have continued to respond through peaceful and rational actions, demonstrating tremendous courage in standing up to the CCP. This is truly admirable.
“The CCP’s crimes of trafficking in human organs has been widely condemned around the world,” she said. “As more people learn about these facts, they will come to recognize the CCP’s evil nature.” She said this growing awareness will also strengthen public resolve to resist the CCP’s illegal transnational repression.
Taichung City Councilor Wang Li-jen calls for accelerating legislation against transnational repression. (Minghui.org)
Taichung City Councilor Wang Li-jen expressed his support for Falun Gong in a prerecorded video. He said that the CCP’s forced organ harvesting is inhumane and that Taiwan should amend its laws as soon as possible to prohibit such crimes and impose heavier penalties while joining the international community in stopping and sanctioning those responsible.
He said the CCP recently enacted the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, further expanding its transnational repression, which he described as a serious warning for Taiwan. He urged the Legislative Yuan to promptly advance the Counteracting Transnational Repression Act so that those involved in violence and transnational repression can be sanctioned under the law, thereby protecting the safety and freedom of Taiwan’s people.
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Category: July 20 Events
