Falun Gong The Enemy Within?

Mad cult? Religion? A covert form of political opposition? Statement of faith or political ultimatum? In less than 10 years, the Falun Gong religious movement has sprung from obscurity and now claims 70 million members throughout China, and more supporters abroad. In that time the Communist Party of China has engaged in an abrupt about-turn: from mild support and encouragement of Falun Gong meditation and physical practices as good for people's health, to banning the movement in 1999. Since then, tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested and imprisoned without trial; its publications publicly burned; its leader has fled into exile; and a campaign of vilification been mounted. This compelling and insightful book uses original interview and other materials to explore the important questions about a movement which has divided the Chinese leadership and Party as well as the population at large, and which now threatens to complicate the country's relations with the outside world. Tanner also looks at what the Chinese Government doing in the current crackdown; its measures as related to the international covenants on human rights it recently signed; and prospects for the future.Tanner, Stuart is the author of 'Falun Gong The Enemy Within?', published 2005 under ISBN 9781842771181 and ISBN 1842771183.