Falun Gong sabotages anti-SARS efforts
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06/12/2003
The Falun Gong cult has been widely condemned for hindering the prevention and control of SARS in China, said a Xinhua commentary released on Monday. While people around China were sparing no efforts to fight SARS, Falun Gong followers were trying their best to interrupt SARS prevention and control, said the commentary. During the past few months, some Falun Gong followers had travelled to many places to distribute propaganda promoting the group, some had even deliberately tried to get close to hospitals to contract the SARS virus for the purpose of spreading the disease, the commentary said. Moreover, some followers of the Falun Gong cult who were SARS suspects refused to be treated, and some even tried to stir up disorder near SARS hospitals, aiming to disturb the treatment of SARS patients, the commentary added. At the same time, Falun Gong leader Li Hongzhi and the cult's headquarters in hiding overseas, had organized gatherings and issued new doctrines concerning the SARS outbreak. Li Hongzhi said that he had long ago forecast the outbreak of the disease, calling it "punishment from heaven." The cult's headquarters had also instructed Falun Gong followers on the Chinese mainland to carry out activities to hinder SARS control. The cult's activities have once again shown that it is anti-mankind, anti-science and anti-society, the commentary said. The commentary condemned the Falun Gong for linking the disease to "doomsday" prophecies, and claiming that those who practise Falun Gong could avoid the disease. The commentary said the Chinese Government had done a good job controlling SARS and maintaining social stability. Xinhua (HK Edition 06/12/2003 page2)
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