overseas media on Falun Gong

The International Herald Tribune said on April 19, 2001 that the banned Falun Gong cult has not blocked China's win in defeating a resolution introduced by the United States trying to "condemn" China's human rights condition. Excepts follow:

"GENEVA -- China blocked debate Wednesday at the UN Human Rights Commission on how well it safeguards the basic rights of its one billion citizens.

Beijing rounded up enough votes to defeat discussion of the resolution, introduced by the United States, by 23 to 17, with 12 countries abstaining and one absent. Hundreds of followers of the banned Falun Gong cult stood silently outside the UN's European headquarters where the 53-country commission was holding its annual session.

Beijing derided the American resolution as "full of absurdities" and "slanderous assertions." Its delegate, Qiao Zonghuai, said that "after a century of humiliation by outside powers," China was finding its own footing and would not bow to the "whims" of foreigners eager to impose their values. Six countries - Cuba, Libya, Syria, Russia, Indonesia and Pakistan - rallied to speak out for China's bid to bar any full discussion of its rights record. Pakistan's delegate insisted that "at no point in history" have Chinese citizens enjoyed as much freedom and prosperity."