A Chinese Falun Gong follower released from a Shanghai labour camp has been
reunited with her Australian fiance, who she plans to wed on Valentines’ Day
next year.
Li Ying today thanked the Australian Embassy for expediting her application
for a spouse visa, and the federal government for continually raising her
case with the Chinese authorities.
Ms Li had finished serving a two-year sentence making handmade toys at
Qingsong women’s labour camp but continued to practise Falun Gong, which
threw doubt on her release.
Outlawed in China, Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation
and exercises based on the principles of truth, compassion and tolerance.
Ms Li returned to Australia a fortnight ago following consistent efforts by
her fiance, Australian citizen Grant Lu, to have her released from the
prison farm.
She faced reporters in Sydney today, her comments interpreted by Mr Lu.
“It is very painful in there. One day is just like a year,” she said.
“(Australia) is a very beautiful country and I like the sunshine here. I
never see this sunshine in China. Everybody can freely speak what they want
to say. Here I can freely say Falun Dafa is great.”
Ms Li said the Chinese government put her in a brainwashing class in January
2001 to try to turn her from Falun Gong.
That October she was arrested and put in the camp, where she said she dreamt
of being reunited with Mr Lu.
After learning of his fiancee’s imprisonment, Mr Lu began his mission to
secure her release.
“I was very worried about it because I heard a lot of stories that the Falun
Gong practitioners (were) being persecuted to death,” Mr Lu said.
“Lots and lots of bad stories … that’s why I tried everything.
“I wrote a letter to all the Senators of Australia and my local MP. I asked
the kind-hearted Australian people to sign a petition.”
Mr Lu had to change his name before travelling to China and bringing Ms Li
to Sydney on November 29 this year.
A few days later the Senate passed a motion noting close relatives of
Australian citizens were currently detained in China because they practiced
Falun Gong.
Since China’s President Jiang Zemin ruled out its practice in 1999, 823
Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death, including three
relatives of Australian citizens.
Nine family members of Australian citizens are currently detained in Chinese
labour camps.
Posting date: 13/Dec/2003
Original article date: 10/Dec/2003
Category: Media Report
