overseas media on Falun Gong

The four Falun Gong followers who set themselves ablaze in Tiananmen Square last month are still in critical condition, despite all-out rescue efforts by the Chinese government, a senior anti-cult official said in Beijing Tuesday.

Liu Jing, head of the newly-set-up Anti-Cult Office under the State Council, told a press conference that the treatment currently focus on the curing of the burnt parts and nutritive support to prevent the occurrence of burn syndrome.

Five Falun Gong followers from central China's Henan Province set themselves on fire in the square on January 23. One died immediately, and the other four were rushed to hospital with serious burns.

Among the four injured are Chen Guo, a 19-year-old music student, and Liu Siying, a 12-year-old girl.

(Xinhua)