NEWS – Feb. 14, 2003 Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net
A Shattered Valentine’s Day
California Woman Works Around the Clock to Rescue Fiancé from China
WASHINGTON DC (FDI) – Just a few weeks ago, 29-
year-old software consultant Yeong-ching Foo had been
thinking about wedding plans.
On January 28th her plans changed.
She received a call from the U.S. consulate in Shanghai
informing her that her fiancé, Dr. Charles Li, had been
arrested at the airport upon entering China to visit relatives
for the Chinese New Year.
“He has done nothing wrong,” Ms. Foo says. “He is always
kind hearted and helps others. The Chinese government is
persecuting him because he practices Falun Gong.”
Ms. Yeong-ching Foo, Dr. Li’s fiancée,
For more than two weeks, Ms. Foo has been working has spent the last two weeks in Wash-
around the clock to build awareness of the plight of her ington DC and New York City to call for
husband-to-be and appeal for his immediate release. the immediate release of Dr. Li.
“Yeong-Ching‟s phone has been ringing constantly with
requests for press interviews in both English and Mandarin
Chinese,” says Adam Leining, a friend of Dr. Li‟s who is
helping with the rescue effort in Washington DC. “She‟s
had anywhere from 4 to 8 meetings a day with government
officials and media... we‟re determined to get Charles back
immediately.”
Ms. Foo‟s friends in different areas have mobilized media
events, outdoor sit-ins and petitions as well.
The Human Rights Desk at the U.S. State Department
reports having received hundreds of faxes and phone calls
from concerned Americans who have learned of Dr. Li‟s
situation.
During the past two weeks, Ms. Foo says she has steadily Dr. Charles Li, an American Citizen and
gained her composure and confidence in speaking out. “At practitioner of Falun Gong, was detained
first I was shocked and scared,” she says, “But I know I after arriving in China on January 22. Dr.
have to do everything possible to help Charles.” Li has not been formally charged and is
currently being held at the Yangzhou
Detention Center in Jiangsu Province.
Ms. Foo continues, “Under Jiang Zemin‟s regime there is
no chance for a fair trial that would allow Charles to clear
his name and return to the U.S., and so diplomatic efforts to rescue him are absolutely essential.”
Her persistence appears to be making a difference.
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo‟s office has initiated a „Dear Colleague‟ letter to gather signatures from
the House of Representatives seeking Dr. Li‟s immediate release. Congresswoman Eshoo intends to
present the signatures to the Chinese Ambassador in Washington DC.
Congressman Tom Lantos, a long-time critic of China‟s human rights record and a vocal advocate for
those who practice Falun Gong, is preparing a statement to share with the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus.
This past week, Ms. Foo has also met with the Commission on International Religious Freedom and
the U.S. State Department.
“I will stay here [in Washington D.C.] as long as it takes,” Ms. Foo says. “If this were China, they
might try to arrest me too. But in the United States, I can make a difference.”
She holds back her tears as she shows a picture of her fiancé. “Charles is an American citizen.” She
pauses and then looks at his photo. “He should be coming home soon.”
Contacts for Interviews with Ms. Foo
Adam Leining - +1 (415) 279-4407
Sherry Zhang - +1 (415) 845-5295
Related Stories
Family Appeals for Charles‟ Release
Personal Statement from Charles' Fiance, Ms. Foo
News Story about Charles' Detention
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NEWS - Feb. 14, 2003
Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on
the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” It is a practice that was taught in private for
thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional
Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and
Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now
practiced in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin
outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more
citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health
and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang‟s regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn
public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.
The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 572 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of
Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death
toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have
been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER –
Levi Browde 914-720-0963, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, or Feng Yuan 917-941-1097. Email:
faluninfoctr@nycmail.com, Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/