The Chinese government is
reeducating Falun Gong practitioners who have violated
relevant laws within China's legal framework, a Chinese
anti-cult official said in Beijing Tuesday.
Liu Jing, head of a newly set anti-cult office
under the State Council, told a press conference that a
number of Falun Gong followers are put under reeducation
through labor, not simply because they practiced Falun Gong,
but because they have committed slight crimes of violating
law and order.
"China's well-established
system of reeducation through labor is fully within the
country's legal framework. We use it as a special means to
reassimilate law violators into society," Liu said.
When asked for comments on the overseas Falun
Gong organization 's denial of the cult identity of the five
people, who set themselves ablaze on Tian'anmen Square last
month, Liu said, "It is worth noticing that Li Hongzhi,
the cult leader, and his accomplices have recently changed
their explanations for the tragic event. Li Hongzhi's foxy
statements constitute the best proof for the unforgivable
crimes he has committed."
The Office for
the Prevention and Handling of Evil Cults under the State
Council was established in September 2000, responsible for
coordinating China's anti-cult efforts and exchanging views
with foreign counterparts on related issues.