Beijing Pressures Taiwan to Restrict Falun Gong Activities

June 29, 2008

Author: Wu Cenxi

Source: The Epoch Times

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-6-29/72658.html

Beijing has recently put pressure on Taiwan to remove displays about the persecution of Falun Gong and repression in Tibet from popular tourist attractions.

They hope to accommodate more than 3,000 mainland tourists starting in July, but lawmakers called on the government not to self-censor.

Since May the newly elected government of the Republic of China (ROC, also known as Taiwan) has actively promoted exchange across the strait. A deal was recently signed lifting restrictions on mainland tourists visiting the ROC, and establishing regular weekend chartered flights.

Beijing's International Tourism Administration has now begun exerting pressure however, just one week before the new deal is to take effect. Some Taiwanese media have also started to report negatively on Falun Gong activities at tourist attractions, and police have even taken photos of Falun Gong practitioners doing exercises and distributing material.