Press release Free China Movement http://www.freechina.net/ Tel: (202) 256-2925, (202) 213-3442 Email: dcofficefcm@yahoo.com 01/10/2001 Washington DC, Quiet systematic crack down on Zhong Gong started in 1999 with more details known to the outside world today; Free China Movement--a coalition of 35 pro democracy and human rights organization--calls United States to implement the "International Religious Freedom Act" by putting sanction against People's Republic of China in order to stop the wide spread crackdown on spiritual and religious movement in main land China; FCM also calls for INS of USA and department of Justice to release the Founder and well respected spiritual leader of Zhong Gong Master Zhang Hongbao from the jail in Guam. Here are more detailed reports of crack down on largest spiritual movement--Zhong Gong--in mainland China since 1999. between September 1999 and October 1999, there were more than 600 Zhong Gong leaders, teachers and activists arrested by the Chinese government. The list below is just small part of what we find out so far. More details will be reported to the world as soon as confirmation is made. 1.Rui Guojie, manager of Zhong Gong Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company, was arrested on mid August 1999 by Public security Bureau of Xi Ning City. Mr. Rui, 33 years old, was sentenced to one year in "Re-education Camp through Coerced Labor" under the charge of "Subverting the State Power". 2.Mr. Xiang Renbuo, 29, manager of Xi Ning Branch Company of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Company was also arrested along with Mr. Rui. 3.Mr.Chai Jingchun, 72 years old, executive director of Xi Ning Branch and Mr. Zhou Youwen, 56, of the same branch was also arrested at the same time. All three of them were detained for 15 days. 4.Mr. He Jizhong, 62, executive director of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company and member of National People's Congress, was detained illegally for two days at the same time in 1999. 5.Zhao Zegeng, 28, manager of Haidong branch of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company, was arrested on September 20, 1999 and was sentenced to one year in "Re-education Camp through Coerced Labor" under the charge of "Subverting the State Power". 6.Mr.Yang Weifu, 26, executive director of Haidong branch of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company, was arrested on September 20, 1999 and was sentenced to one year in "Re-education Camp through Coerced Labor" under the charge of "Subverting the State Power". 7.Ms. Gao Ruifeng, 59, accountant of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company was detained in September of 1999 and later released on bail and is pending trial. 8.Mr. Zhu Xiang, driver of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company was detained in September of 1999 and later release on bail and is pending trial. All legal assets of Zhong Gong Kylin Group Qinghai Provincial Company was confiscated Free China movement strongly opposes Chinese Communist government's widening human rights violations starting 1999 following the start of crack down on China Democracy Party and Falun Gong. Similar to Falun Gong, Zhong Gong advocates for spiritual exercise to teach people to be good people and contribute to the society thus to improve health and spiritual conditions. Because of its tremendous success in improving people's health conditions, Zhong Gong has attracted more than 38 million students nation wide. "The Chinese government is determined to kill Master Zhang Hongbao at any means they could because they know once he is freed in USA he could be the most powerful opposition leader PRC has in the 51 years of its rule. Our source in Chinese government told us a new accusation and conspiracy is being developed by the government to try to convince USA to deport him back to China. Please watch the new tactics PRC will be using soon!" stated Wang Xizhe, co-chair of China Democracy Party which has more than 34 of its co founders sentenced from 3 to 13 years in jail since the crack down in December 1998. "We urge the US government to do the right thing on this important matter. To detain Master Zhang in the jail of Guam so to appease PRC is not setting up the right role a great nation like USA should be. Release him from the jail pending court decision so he could help to protect more of his students from being persecuted is not only a humane thing to do but a must-to-do for the legality and morality of US foreign policy!" Stated Shengde Lian, former Tian An Men square student leader, political prisoner and currently executive director of Free China Movement coalition. "Our government should not disappoint more than 38 million Chinese people's hope that USA is the safe harbor which will protect human rights and religious belief and who will stand strong against any form of violation of human rights and intimidation of US internal affairs. USA should spoke out strongly against any further ungrounded accusations against Master Zhang. Release him before our government lose face in front of the Chinese people who trust us and rely on us for moral support!" Stated Timothy Cooper, International Director of Free China Movement. (30)