Monday, April 30, 2012

The Inspirational Story OF A Former Leukemia Patient

 
 Zhang Shujun

  My name is Zhang Shujun, and I am a 35-year-old woman. Like most other young people, I loved life and was full of vigor and vitality. However, I contracted leukemia when I was only 26 years old. The disease came to me like a fatal blow to my life. My mind went completely blank and ears ran down my face endlessly while I was lying in the hospital bed. Why me? Why was life so unfair to me? The endless and painful medical procedures weakened my immune system. I always caught the flu and constantly had high fevers. Since I was sensitive to the cancer-fighting drugs, I often had terrible itching all over my body. I had to scratch hard and it caused bleeding. Because of the length of the treatments and the frequent blood transfusions, the skin on the back of my hand became stiff. I felt sick and vomited every time I was given a transfusion. 

  After a year of these painful struggles, my beautiful black hair fell out due to the large doses of radiation and the chemotherapy treatments. I lost 30 lbs. in only a few days. I felt desperate after seeing several other leukemia patients pass away one after another. I started to continuously think about my life and its worth: human beings realize how insignificant and helpless they are when they face death. Although they might be wealthy and have the most powerful positions in the world, in reality they have nothing. I kept asking myself, what is the mysterious power that dominates and balances everything in this world of suffering? The medical procedures caused many seizures; any of them could have easily taken my life. At the time, I was thin, had a dark pallor and was out of shape. My health kept deteriorating even after several Western and Chinese hospitals treated me. My parents took care of me and suffered both emotionally and financially. I do not know how many times my mother cried behind my back. I cried endlessly. I wondered whether there existed any power to help me escape from the clutches of death. I prayed and hoped I would live. At this moment between life and death, I suddenly realized that the meaning of life was not merely seeking comfort for oneself; instead, there were things much more precious and beautiful! 

  In March 1995, I luckily found out about Falun Dafa. It was a turning point in my life. In the beginning when I went to the exercise site, I couldn't even perform the first four exercises since I was extremely weak and the condition of my heart was very poor. After some time of working on the exercises, my body gradually felt relaxed and I could easily finish the standing exercises, which lasted for an hour. I felt like I was saved from the hell of pain and hopelessness! It was a miracle! 

  Only one month after I started to cultivate Falun Dafa's universal principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,” the disease that could not be cured by modern medicine, and that cost my family hundreds of thousands of yuan [tens of thousands of US dollars] was completely gone. Doesn't this show that Falun Dafa is a genuine and extraordinary science? The smile came back to my face. I used to be an invalid and couldn't take care of myself, but soon I could do the housework and take care of my parents. They were so happy to see the change in me. After three years of torture from this serious disease and its treatments, I was finally experiencing the wonders of being completely free of disease and pain. The changes in my body and mind have made me firmly believe in the truth of Falun Dafa. After only two months of practice, I returned to work. In my daily life, I followed the principles explained in the main book of Falun Dafa, Zhuan Falun. I worked hard and always considered others first. I tried to examine myself first whenever there was a conflict. Under the guidance of the Fa [the Law or universal principle], I strove to reach the realm of selflessness and altruism. The changes that happened to me were obvious to the supervisors and other employees in my work unit. 

  My mother also changed a lot after she started to practice Falun Dafa. All her illnesses went away and so did her bad temper. She used to fight with my father and now she has become kind and understanding after practicing Falun Dafa. My family is happy and lives in perfect harmony. Dafa gave me back my life; therefore I should be of benefit to others with my life and put my best effort into clarifying the truth and awakening people's conscience. I feel sad when I see people indulging in the pursuit of fame and self-interests or struggling helplessly with incurable diseases. 

  Therefore, when a few people in the government mistakenly began persecuting and slandering Falun Gong, I went to Beijing to declare the truth and awaken the conscience of the people with my personal experiences and with my life that was enriched by Dafa. However, I was illegally arrested, detained and punished by my work unit. Now I have been forced to leave home and wander without shelter to avoid further persecution. Nevertheless, I feel it is worthwhile if people will no longer be blinded by the lies of the government after I tell them of my experiences. I hope people will be able to distinguish between kindness and wickedness, and good from evil by examining their own kind nature. 

  I truly hope everyone in this world will feel the same splendid and magnificent happiness that I feel! Now I understand why we cultivators should attain the righteous enlightenment of selflessness and altruism. The purpose of existence for a cultivator is entirely for the benefit of others!       

  March 23, 2001 Note from editor: for safety concerns, the name in the article was changed to a pseudonym. All names of hospitals, doctors and addresses were omitted.



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因坚持信仰遭迫害 一家三人失去生命

Listen Online 在线收听 - http://media.soundofhope.org/audio01/2012/4/30/mixdownliuyinfei.mp3

河北省衡水市阜城县崔庙镇的法轮功学员刘印飞近日向本台披露,中共当局对他们家因坚持信仰进行长期惨无人道的迫害,有三人因此失去生命、家破人亡。
刘印飞告诉记者,他们夫妻,以及他的母亲张秀荣、大姐刘素香、哥哥刘秋生夫妻、四姐刘建新都是法轮功学员。在99年江泽民对上亿人的法轮功修炼团体悍然发起中国历史上最大规模的迫害之前,一家按真善忍的标准做好人,身心健康,和乐融融。在江泽民的“经济上截断、名誉上搞臭、肉体上消灭”的群体灭绝性迫害政策下,家里人多次被抓其中4人被非法劳教,3人因迫害致死。
他说:(录音)“我是2000年3月13号因为到天安门广场去打横幅被抓的,然后被送到了河北省石家庄市被劳教1年。”
刘印飞的妻子也因到天安门打横幅被非法关押在浙江莫干山劳教所。他们家还因坚持真善忍信仰和赴京上访而遭到文革式的游街迫害。
录音:“我母亲,还有我,还有我嫂子有一次被抓以后,当时就是3个人,脖子上挂着牌子,喇叭上放着诬蔑法轮功的录音,一上午走了10几个村庄,对我们进行文革式的批斗。”
刘印飞的大姐刘素香2000年也因赴京为大法讨回公道而被抓捕并送到河北省石家庄市女子劳教所劳非法劳教两年,在劳教所遭受上大挂等酷刑迫害多次性命垂危。姐夫多次探望都遭拒绝,终因压力过大不幸发生意外。
录音:“2002年1月份,我姐夫因为我姐被非法劳教两年,在里面遭受酷刑,我姐夫压力也是非常大,当时3个孩子都是未成年。而且那段时间,很多出来的法轮功学员都给我姐夫带来消息说,我姐在里边如果不转化,很可能就会失去生命。所以我姐夫他也是精神压力非常大,每天这种压力下精神恍惚,有一次在房子上面一脚踩空掉到地上,当时就摔死了。”
刘印飞的嫂子之后被非法关押在北京劳教所迫害至双眼几乎失明。哥哥刘秋生被迫害的流离失所。2002年2月2号,刘秋生在回家探望时被早已埋伏在外的警察抓捕,在饱受酷刑迫害20天后被活活打死。2月23号,警方当着刘秋生14岁儿子的面,将他的器官强行摘取。(详见本台报道 http://soundofhope.org/programs/162/215599-1.asp)刘印飞的母亲张秀荣也在饱受当局迫害及1个月内失去两位亲人的打击下含冤离世。
录音:“所以这一个月等于说两个亲人死于非命。作为老人,白发人送黑发人,我母亲当时也是一下承受不住了,身心全垮了。2004年,母亲也是含冤离世了,当时是60多岁。”
刘印飞的四姐刘建新在刘秋生被迫害致死后向大家讲述法轮功真相和当局对他们家的残酷迫害,衡水市公安局将她非法抓捕,刘建新绝食抗议,在奄奄一息后险些被灌食致死。
录音:“绝食抗议以后,可能就是生命垂危了吧。警察就把她弄到一个医院里面去灌食。灌食的时候,警察就对这个医生说:你给她灌死得了,灌死她。这个医生还是非常有良心的,他当时就没有按照警察的要求去做。等到灌食结束以后,警察不在场,这个医生就说:你这个事情处理完以后,我就不做医生了。他说:太残忍了。这样呢等于我姐姐捡了一条命吧。如果那个医生没有医德,那我姐姐也就被他们灌死了。”
目前刘印飞已逃离中国身在海外,他呼吁中国各界人士要认清中共迫害法轮功学员的真相,早日停止迫害。
希望之声国际广播电台记者王倩 杨芳采访报道。
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【九评之五】评江泽民与中共相互利用迫害法轮功
[VIDEO] 连环画音像片:评江泽民与中共相互利用迫害法功

Ten Years of Persecution - Millions Suffer

Tragically, the year 2009 marks the 10 year-anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. The persecution is as severe as ever and the lack of help from the world community abroad has aggravated the suffering of those Chinese who continue to lose their loved ones because they simply want to keep practicing Falun Gong and exercise their basic human rights of freedom of speech and belief. We have brought you only the most poignant stories, hoping that you will pass the word and help to stop the torture and insane persecution of innocents in China.


Torture Caused Ms. Gao Yumin's Baby to Die in Her Womb

Ms. Gao Yumin, 40, was three months pregnant when she was arrested on September 19, 2007, for her belief in Falun Gong. On October 28, after brutal beatings at the police station, she was rushed to the hospital unconscious. When the doctors operated because her heart had stopped, they found a dead fetus in her womb. They sent her home after 8 days in the hospital and a cost of 10,000 yuan, but arrested her again on December 15, 2008, saying she hadn't finished her term. She is now detained and being tortured at the Jiamusi Forced Labor Camp.

Ms. Sun Min Beaten to Death in Police Custody within a Day of Arrest
Ms. Sun Min's body showed clear signs of torture
Ms. Sun Min and her husband were arrested on April 22, 2009, for distributing Falun Gong truth-clarification DVDs and sent to the Niujie District Police Station. Ms. Sun died within a day of her arrest. At a viewing of her body, the family saw evidence of beatings with an electric baton, being tightly handcuffed, and hung up by her arms. The family took pictures.

Mr. Zhu Hongbin, Sentenced to Seven Years for Having Falun Gong Books, Died of Torture and Harmful Drugs
Photo of Mr. Zhu Hongbin when released from prison
On December 29, 2001, Mr. Zhu Hongbin, 38, was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison because he had Falun Gong truth-clarification materials. He was tortured, injected with an unknown drug, and starved multiple times. When finally released from prison, he weighed so little that his family could easily count all the bones in his body. He died on June 18, 2009, not long after his release.

Mr. Yang Guiquan Dies from Injuries a Month after Being Taken into Custody
Mr. Yang Guiquan, 45, was arrested on June 20, 2009 and sent to the Xindi Detention Center in Liaoning Province. He only lasted through a month of torture and brutal force-feeding before he died on July 20. Witnesses said his body was covered with bruises and scarring consistent with use of an electric baton.
Mr. Yang Guiquan

Mr. Zhang Litian Beaten to Death in Jinzhou City Prison
In April 2008, to "prepare for the Olympics," Laizhou City "610 Office" Chief Liu Jingbing led a group of officers to arrest Mr. Zhang Litian (36) and sentenced him to five years in Jinzhou City Prison. On November 16, 2008, he went on a hunger strike to protest the brutal beatings. The next day, on November 17, 2008, Warden Zhang Baozhi encouraged four prisoners to cruelly beat Mr. Zhang to death. The local police informed Mr. Zhang's family that he died from a heart attack. When Mr. Zhang's family saw his body, they found there were many injuries and bruises, especially around his heart area. The authorities also refused the family's request to hire a third party forensic doctor to conduct an autopsy.
Mr. Zhang Litian (right)

Mr. Fu Ziming Dies during Brief Detention
Mr. Fu Ziming, 34, was arrested on April 17, 2009, because he posted a pro-Falun Gong message. He died just three days later while the "610 Office" escorted him back to Jianli County. The authorities would not allow his family to view his body.

Ms. Kang Ruiqi's Mental Disorder Caused by Forced Injection
During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, agents from the local 610 Office, officers from the Pozi Street Police Station, and staff from the community committee arrested Ms. Kang Ruiqi and subjected her to 18 months of forced labor at Baimalong Forced Labor Camp. Because she refused to give up practicing Falun Gong, the guards injected her with unknown drugs. As a result, she became mentally disordered. She does not recognize her family or friends. She completely lost her normal thinking and memory. Most of the time, she stares or utters nonsense.

Mr. Li Guangwei Has Been Missing for Four Years
Mr. Li Guangwei, 65, was famous for his Chinese calligraphy and painting. Because Mr. Li had written letters to tell people about his experience with Falun Gong, the authorities started monitoring him and followed him whenever he went out. On July 25, 2005, he told his family that he wanted to take a walk, and would come back shortly. However, he never returned. Even four years later, no one knows his whereabouts.
Mr. Li Guangwei

Olympic Persecution:
We have documented the cases of 10,194 Falun Gong practitioners who were detained, arrested, and tortured during the 2008 Olympics. Many of them are still in detention and still being tortured.

For a list of the 10,194 Falun Gong practitioners, please go to following link:http://www.falunhr.org/reports/PDFs/BeijingOlympicsPersecution.pdf.


Read all newsletters online

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7400法轮功学员排创始人李洪志大师图像 Taiwan: 7400 practitioners formed picture of Master Li Hongzhi

各界吁法办江罗刘周 还法轮功李洪志师父清白
法轮大法佛学会4月29日在中正纪念堂汇集7400名法轮功学员,共同排出法轮功创始人李洪志大师的图像,场面殊胜壮观。(摄影:丹尼尔/大纪元)













【大纪元2012年04月29日讯】(大纪元记者钟元、戴德曼台北报导)台湾自由广场29日上午11时由7,400位法轮功学员圆满排出“法轮功创始人李洪志大师”图像。法轮功学员朱婉琪律师表示,台湾有数十万修炼“真善忍”的法轮功学员,他们理性平和善良的表现,全是来自于李洪志师父的教导。在李洪志师父传法20周年之际,他们能参与排字非常荣幸,希望以自己修炼真善忍的能力和表现,把李洪志师父最庄严神圣的法像呈现给世人,也期盼世人能够体会到法轮大法的美好。
法轮大法洪传114个国家地区
朱婉琪表示,李洪志老师曾经当选亚洲五十名最具影响力的人物的榜首,也曾被提名诺贝尔和平奖。在法轮大法洪传世界20年来,迄今,已洪传于一百一十四个国家与地区,在不同地区有定“法轮大法日”、“李洪志日”,来感念法轮功创始人无条件、义务的把修炼真善忍的高德大法,传给不同种族、年龄、性别的世人。
朱婉琪说,李洪志师父在国际社会上面声誉崇隆,但法轮功在中国大陆仍受到中共最残酷的灭绝性迫害,法轮功创始人也受到中共最残酷和最严厉的诋毁及攻击,中国大陆至今还没有还师父清白,身为弟子的他们非常痛心。
法轮功学员排法像 谢师恩
台湾法轮大法学会副理事长黄春梅表示,排法像活动是法轮功学员展现大法的美好,也是法轮功学员对创始人李洪志大师感恩的表达方式之一。她说,中正纪念堂是国外旅客必游之地,当大陆游客看到这么多法轮功学员齐聚一堂,他们非常惊讶,“法轮功在台湾能够这样哦,你们这个活动有申请吗?政府同意吗?”经过解释他们了解中共迫害法轮功的真相后,大陆游客私下表示真的非常羡慕台湾有信仰的自由。
十三年来都担任图像设计的法轮功学员吴清祥表示,这次修正去年第一次排的一些可以改进的地方,比如今年的法像顶上有赤橙黄绿青蓝紫有色无色,感觉更殊胜,图像的呈现更精致。
由于中共对法轮功创始人李洪志大师的抹黑,很多大陆民众仍对法轮功被迫害真相不了解,吴清祥说,法轮大法洪传世界二十周年,随着王立军事件的演变,让更多人明白中共政法委滥用职权,打压善良的法轮功群体的真相,尤其像活摘法轮功学员器官这种惨无人道的事情,连中共总理温家宝都说,“不施麻药,摘活人器官,还拿去赚钱,这是人干的事情吗?”
很多人想亲眼一睹李洪志大师却没有机会,透过法像也是一种方式;对此,吴清祥表示,去年第一次排李洪志大师法像的影像一放在网路上,大陆好多民众都想方设法翻墙观看那种殊胜的场面,很多人都留言:“太了不起了,太殊胜了,太让人感动了!原来法轮大法在全世界都是受到欢迎的,而中共对法轮功的镇压是不对的。”
中山大学企管系教授杨硕英说,非常荣幸参与这次活动,他说修炼法轮大法11年,自己受益匪浅,身心健康,脾气变好。他提到,记得有一年排《转法轮》这本书,有学员用数位相机拍到每位法轮功学员头顶上都有一根功柱,真的让他非常震撼,至少就他的理解这是有史以来人类第一次用数位相机拍到功柱,这真的是无比荣幸的事情,而他自己也做一些能量存在的实验,知道这些都是真实存在的。
台北上海同德堂知名中医胡乃文说,虽然中共在打压法轮功,但很多大陆民众都知道法轮大法好。作为医生,他说,修炼法轮功后不只让他身体变好,最重要的是心灵、情绪都在最好的状态,这是作为人的权利,不过因为中共镇压法轮功,让很多人看不到法轮功的美好。
中国石油公司大林炼油厂化学工程师张福章表示,学炼法轮功已经12年了,学了法轮功后身体健康了、家庭和谐了,工作上也很容易创造和谐的工作环境,所以法轮功其实对于一个人身心包括家庭、工作是有很大的帮助,所以当初为什么在大陆有那么多人学。
他强调,中共镇压法轮功这件事情,事实上在中国大陆本身就违法,明明规定人民有这种自由,比如练气功这是一件很简单的事情,但透过这种政治因素把这样一件事情,突显出来。事实上,全世界都知道中共政权处理这种事情,基本上是非理性而且非常残暴的,这里面包括很震惊的活摘法轮功学员的器官,这种事情是天理不容的。
高为邦:非常敬佩法轮功创始人
台湾投资中国受害者协会理事长高为邦表示,“我对法轮功有认识蛮久了,从1999年在中国报导上看到,全面毁灭性的污衊,对法轮功情况比较了解之后,对法轮功学员和创始人李洪志非常敬佩,现在真正能揭发中共邪党的一股重要势力。”
对于中共宣传法轮功不让看病不吃药的抹黑,高为邦表示,法轮功这么多年哪有做一件坏事?他说他认识的法轮功学员都是高级知识份子,中共要取缔总要名目嘛,找不到理由,安不上一个罪名在法轮功学员身上,所以就采取扑杀残酷手段,这是非常恐怖的。
他说,不要说光平反法轮功而已,其实也不能说平反,法轮功没有错,要平反什么,错的是下手的人。这是江泽民恐惧嫉妒法轮功,一个那么大权力的人,就决定要消灭一个团体,这是很大的罪恶,应该追究所有曾经迫害法轮功相关人员的罪状,不能轻易放走曾经协助江泽民迫害法轮功这笔血债的人。
周美里:还法轮功创始人清白
台湾图博之友会会长周美里表示,法轮功真善忍是非常值得全世界尊崇的重要精神,看到法轮功学员在中共这么大压迫下,都能坚持真善忍的精神,这给我们很大启示。法轮功坚持揭露中共迫害真相,让全世界的人能够看清中共的邪恶本质,这也是我们必须要对法轮功非常感到敬佩的地方,这对全世界的和平是莫大的贡献。她认为,还原法轮功真相,还法轮功创始人清白是最基本要求,也应该会达成。
孔识仁吁法办江、罗、刘、周
中国民主党全国联合总部副秘书长孔识仁表示,在中共统治之下,冤假错案太多,甚至还故意制造嫁祸于人,比如中共制造残酷的天安门自焚事端嫁祸于法轮功。他强调,迟早有一天中共要垮台,到时法轮功会得到自由发展空间。中国有机会实现民主,肯定要对参与迫害法轮功的人进行审判,将“江、罗、刘、周”等作恶者绳之以法,还原中共统治以来所有制造的六四及法轮功真相。
立委:中共迫害法轮功真相应告诉中国人
立委许忠信表示,中共迫害法轮功是国家在迫害人权,重庆市委书记薄熙来垮台,他就是中共迫害法轮功群体中的一个。他强调,我们认为马政府对中共迫害法轮功的行为,必须严正的以人权角度去对中共说:“这是违反世界人权的行为!”并要求马政府为台湾的人权,保持良好的纪录。
立委黄文玲强调,中共迫害法轮功活摘器官,非常不人道。中共因为薄熙来倒台,若中共总理温家宝针对迫害人权,有所作为,为法轮功平反,我们非常乐观其成。她认为,胡温应该把事实真相揭露给人民,让全中国人有深刻反省机会,当中国人知道江泽民等人恶形恶状迫害中国人时,这将造就中国慢慢走上民主。
约七千四百名来自台湾及日本、韩国、马来西亚等多个国家的法轮功学员4月29日于台北的中正纪念堂共同排成一个巨大的法轮功创始人李洪志先生的法像图,提前庆祝法轮大法传出二十周年以及恭贺李洪志先生六十一华诞。
穿着十多种不同颜色衣装的法轮功学员一人一个点坐定在法像图的不同部位。从空中俯视,整体呈现出创始人李洪志先生身着金黄色唐装、打手印,围于十八层光圈之中,双目微闭,坐于莲花座之上,两侧有“大法”两个大字。
这是继去年11月底之后,法轮功学员第二次集体排出李洪志先生的法像图,形象更为传神。
台湾法轮大法学会理事长张清溪说:【录音】“用这样一个表达形式来一方面感谢师父给我们这么多,我们受益这么多,一方面希望说,用这样的形式让很多人看到,他能够好奇也好,他希望认识到法轮大法也好,就是让更多直去了解真相。”
据张清溪介绍,到目前为止,台湾已有超过100万人学炼过法轮功,全台包括离岛有超过1000个炼功点。大部分学员是1999年之后走入法轮功的。99年中共开始全面迫害法轮功使得法轮功更加广为流传。
【录音】“师父谢谢您!师父谢谢您!”
约七千四百名法轮功学员齐声感恩李洪志先生。这次排法像活动除了日本、韩国和来自马来西亚的一百多名法轮功学员,其他七千多名学员则都来自台湾各地。
记者随机采访了几位学员,谈谈他们参与其中的感受。
刘女士:【录音】“很好,我觉得大家都非常地…尤其在这么小的一个一个(座位)位置上,大家都是一员,大法弟子的洪流中的一员,所以不会分彼此,来就是配合到最后。一直到最后司仪带领我们说师父谢谢您,我说到第二次的时候我是…感慨很深,就是很想流眼泪一直到现在,所以一直走过来也是百感交集吧。”
颜女士:【录音】“我们在这种环境里,真的是很棒,因为在师父的佛光沐浴里,我真的好谢谢师父。”
杨女士:【录音】“排法像的过程中,天空其实飘着雨,所有的人都很安静地坐在那边,也不会去管裤子湿了,还是脏掉了。这样的场景,我想在这里,对大陆,或者是外国人的这些众生来看,其实是一个非常殊胜的一个场面,我今天看到这样的场面其实满感动的。”
邱女士:【录音】“感觉就是很感动,我很喜欢那种感觉,其实,要散会的时候我舍不得离开,我真得很喜欢这样的感觉。”
莲本:【录音】“我从日本来,作为大法弟子来讲,这样的活动不多,而且呢就是非常地殊胜,也很严肃,能够参与的话我觉得非常地殊胜。”
在台北中正纪念堂这个台湾知名的旅游景点里,有许多不同族裔面孔的旅客来来往往,他们对法轮功学员集体排法像的活动感到新奇,纷纷停下脚步拿出相机拍摄。其中操着中国大陆口音的人们,有的会心一笑,有的则摆出姿势,与法轮功学员合影。
随着当前中共最高层的权力争夺战中,王立军出走美领馆与薄熙来倒台延烧周永康,在迫害法轮功中欠下累累血债的江泽民派系势力迅速溃堤,法办血债元凶的呼声高涨,这也使得法轮功成为当前中国社会变局的焦点。
台湾法轮大法学会理事长张清溪再次呼吁大陆民众利用各种机会了解法轮功真相。【录音】“我们特别是希望中国大陆的中国人,他们能利用各种机会来了解法轮功是什么,然后了解中共为什么迫害法轮功。我们希望中国大陆人更多了解中共迫害法轮功的真相,因为迫害法轮功跟你协助迫害法轮功,甚至你莫不作声默认这个事情,事实上对这个生命都非常不好。”
希望之声国际广播电台记者叶治忠、静言台湾台北采访报导。
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【九评之五】评江泽民与中共相互利用迫害法轮功
[VIDEO] 连环画音像片:评江泽民与中共相互利用迫害法功

Chen Guangcheng escape: will China’s reaction be reform or repression?

By  in Beijing, guardian.co.uk

Chen Guangcheng
Chen Guangcheng’s case has highlighted shortcomings in the Chinese Communist party’s business-as-usual approach. Photograph: AP

A cascade of dramatic scandals triggered by a blind Chinese activist and a dead British businessman have created a pivotal moment for reform or repression by the Chinese Communist party, according to long-term observers of politics in Beijing.
Would-be modernisers, led by premier Wen Jiabao, have their best opportunity since 1989 to press for greater transparency, accountability and rule by law, but they will have to overcome the ingrained conservatism of rivals who have endorsed secrecy and violence to ensure the continuation of rule by party.
Normally stodgy and secretive, the Chinese political script has been ripped up this year by a series of unexpected events that would appear implausible even in a novel by Graham Greene or John Grisham.
Last week’s audacious escape by blind civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng from years of house arrest is the latest twist in a tale that looks set to run all the way through to a Communist party congress in the autumn, when a new generation of leaders will take the helm of the world’s most populous nation and second biggest economy.
Chen’s flight and unconfirmed reports that he is now under US diplomatic protection follow an asylum bid by a top police chief, allegations of rampant corruption and rival wiretapping inside the Communist aristocracy, and the purging of party princeling Bo Xilai, who had been expected to enter the inner sanctum of the politburo until his wife was accused of poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood.
Though very different, these are all catalysts at a time of change – and not just in China. The latest events have even had an impact on the US presidential election campaign, when the Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney called on Barack Obama to protect Chen Guangcheng.
But the most significant fallout will be in China’s internal politics, where recent remarkable events have highlighted the shortcomings of a business-as-usual approach.
Until Chen fled, the local government in Linyi, in Shandong province, had been punishing a man and his family for more than six years because he exposed an illegal system of forced abortions and then became a central figure in the campaign for civil rights in China.
He has subsequently released a video in which he details his maltreatment and calls on Wen to investigate the case.
The authorities have yet to respond publicly. But veteran China watchers say the issue strikes at longstanding political fault lines.
“This should be a pivotal point in the struggle between Chinese reformers and anti-reform vested interests. Chen Guangcheng is not an anti-Communist dissident. His case is simply about whether there is any real law in China. I see it as a struggle between those who want rule of law and those who are content with China’s feudal tradition in which local authorities can defy the country’s laws and the central authority allows this, as long as it doesn’t threaten their rule,” said Sidney Rittenberg, whose association with the Communist party dates back to his time as an adviser to Mao Zedong in the 1940s.
Rittenberg said the central government should “clean out” the Linyi officials responsible for Chen’s treatment. “It is time for all decent people to take a stand for the issues of land, peace, and democracy,” he said.
But punishing local officials will embarrass the politburo heavyweights, such as security chief Zhou Yongkang, who approved the handling of Chen’s case.
In 2007, the central authorities sent an inspection team to report on the trial in which Chen was sentenced to four years in jail for “disrupting traffic” and causing a public disturbance. When Chen was released in 2010, he was put under extrajudicial house arrest.
According to Nicholas Bequelin of Human Rights Watch, this was again done at the behest of central leaders.
“The state security bureau told the Linyi authorities that they had to neutralise Chen but not re-arrest him lest it create more international outcry,” said Bequelin, who said the authorities were increasingly using illegal measures because the old methods of information management have been incapacitated by the spread of microblogs.
“The security apparatus is not able to control and prevent critics and dissidents the way it was before. To make up for this erosion of social control, increasingly unlawful methods are being deployed against activists, including disappearance and torture, so as to silence them and intimidate others,” he said.
The key question raised by Chen’s escape – and the US-China negotiations said to be taking place about his future – is whether the Chinese authorities will choose to clamp down harder or to change.
That debate has the potential to split the party as it did in 1989, when student protests in Tiananmen Square prompted a face-off between reformers and hardliners in the politburo.
Hardliners have had the initiative ever since, but this year’s events have opened up new possibilities. The state security apparatus is controlled by Zhou Yongkang, who has already been weakened by the fall of his ally Bo Xilai and – now aged 69 – is due for retirement at the upcoming congress. This is an opportunity for prime minister Wen Jiabao, who has long talked about the need for political reform, but previously appeared powerless to do anything about it.
Dali Yang, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, said the two recent cases have given Wen ammunition to argue that current policies intended to maintain stability – particularly the excessive use of force – are counterproductive. Whether he takes the risk to push for change, however, remains to be seen.
“There are growing numbers of people who feel China has made scant progress on the rule of rule in recent years. These cases have stimulated discussion on the need for political/legal reforms. Coupled with the leadership transition, they may turn out to be the pivotal cases but it’s still too early to tell. The party’s instinct is to retain control,” said Yang.
The control instinct appeared strong at the weekend, when police rounded up several of Chen’s family and supporters, who could easily become victims of retribution or bargaining chips if the Chinese government decides to take a hard line. Two of them – Hu Jia and Guo Yushan – have been released – but there are still concerns for the escapee’s cousin, Chen Kegui and the activist who helped him, He Peirong.
State media have yet to comment on the case. This may be because negotiations with the US are still under way and the timing is sensitive, ahead of a high-level bilateral economic and political dialogue in Beijing later this week that will be attended by the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and treasury secretary Timothy Geithner.
But the lack of a clear signal has prompted speculation and frustration that the central leadership is unable to agree on how to handle this case – and the wider direction of reform in China.
The sense of frustration was apparent in Study Times, the influential newspaper of the Central Party School. In a comment piece headlined “The biggest danger facing reform is the lack of a driving force”, it called for a wider public debate about the country’s future.
“Without open and rational discussion, reforms will either be fake or imposed, which means they cannot win the support and recognition of society,” it said.
President Hu Jintao has tended until now to side with conservatives, who emphasise the need for stability at all costs. His likely replacement, Xi Jinping, is also seen as a safety-first compromiser.
They will also have to bear in mind the influence of former president Jiang Zemin and military leaders.
Jean-Pierre Cabestan, professor of political science at Hong Kong University, said reformers are on the offensive, which might ease the search for a solution to Chen’s case. But he warned that the authorities are risk-averse and will not gamble with anything that might disrupt the transition of power.
“Chen Guangcheng’s flight occurs at a very delicate moment not only because of the Bo Xilai crisis but also the upcoming 18th party congress and more importantly because the party leadership is obviously divided about many substantive economic and political issues,” said Cabestan. “In the post-Arab spring, Bo Xilali crisis, not only Zhou Yongkang but the whole leadership have become more risk-adverse than ever: they are very much aware of the domino effect of Chen Guangcheng’s release.”
No dominos have fallen yet, but the coming days and weeks look set to be crucial not just for a blind activist, but for the political direction of China.
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 大家都来看”九评共产党” ( VCD, 书)!
Let’s find “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party”(VCD, books)!
快上大纪元声明退出共产党和共产党其它组织(/团/队),抹去邪恶的印记!
Quit the Evil Chinese Communist Party or its affiliated organizations today!