On Thursday 13 February 2003, the Hong Kong government published the full text of the draft law to implement Article 23, which it hopes will come into force as soon as possible. Close examination of this document reveals that it has been deviously crafted to allow the Jiang regime to ban Falun Gong in Hong Kong and persecute HK Falun Gong practitioners.

"If we don’t resolutely stop the government from legislating the evil law of Article 23, the influence of Beijing will completely take over the rule of law in Hong Kong. Then, the legislation of Article 23 will indeed be the beginning of the end for Hong Kong as a free society ruled by law. It is our unshirkable historic responsibility to stand up to defend our innate human rights and stop this evil law from destroying Hong Kong."

"Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners deeply regret the Tung Administration’s decision to legislate Article 23 in spite of strong objection raised by various groups. We are further saddened by the Administration’s complete lack of sincerity and sense of responsibility to the people of Hong Kong and the well being of the territory..."

"Dr. Li..was arrested on his arrival in China [and] is presently being held at the Yangzhou Detention Centre in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, where he is under investigation for the alleged crime of sabotaging television and / or radio broadcasts."

"His arrest is wrong. We are deeply concerned about Charles’ safety and do not want to see a tragedy extended to an innocent U.S. citizen. We respectfully and urgently request you contact the relevant United States Governmental bodies, the U.S. Embassy in China, and the Chinese Government to secure Dr. Li’s immediate release."

"I am seriously concerned for Dr Charles Li's safety, as he is a Falun Gong practitioner, and Falun Gong is known to be dealt with very fiercely by the Chinese Regime. I received a note in mid January about a lady named Qunying Liu, a Falun Gong practitioner who was tortured to death within 3 hours after being arbitrarily detained by police in Caidian District, China."

The authorities hastily cremated his body in order to cover up their crime. According to his relatives at the crematorium, the deceased had his eyes and mouth wide open. Both arms were outstretched, and both hands were firmly clenched into fists. There was dried blood on the back of his skull. A once strong and healthy man became emaciated within merely 14 days.

As a result of the torture, he suffered a mental collapse. His hands twitch and one eye bulges. He has great difficulty speaking, and is losing the ability to look after himself. A young man in the prime of his life reduced to this sorry state! In spite of all this, the police refuse to release him.

They brutally tortured practitioner Mr. Yue Baoxue with a method called "Cuffed and Hung Up" for 7 consecutive days and nights: [This means both hands are cuffed behind the back, both feet off or only toes touching the ground, one is hung from a basketball support or house beam by the handcuffs. Both hands and arms will soon go numb from lack of blood circulation.]

The secretary and tax collectors went to every villager's home to collect the tax. When they came to a practitioner's home, the practitioner was busy making a huge banner reading "Congratulations: The Anniversary of [city name omitted to avoid persecution] City's Falun Dafa Day." He immediately paid the required agriculture tax. The tax collectors said to him with a smile, "Keep making your banner, we won't bother you."

Gradually, my father brought up the topic of Falun Gong. The owner right away said, "Who would believe what they say? More and more people are practising Falun Gong. Is it really good?" My father replied, "Of course it's good! I have done research on qigong and martial arts for so many years. I can clearly judge whether it's good or not."

On February 15, the 2003 Western United States Fa Conference solemnly commenced in Los Angeles, California. Master Li Hongzhi personally came to the conference site to teach and expound on the Fa [Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance]. More than 1,500 practitioners attended.

The Korean Presbyterian Church of Tucson Arizona invited local Falun Gong practitioners to hold an introductory lecture about Falun Gong...the practitioners used their own experiences to introduce the excellent healing effect of Falun Gong and taught the exercises. The introduction was given in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

The main point practitioners wanted to make was the positive effect following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance has on one's daily life and how this directly impacts one's health. This, in turn, saves not only that one person but it also saves the government huge amounts of money.