(Minghui.org) Director Liu Binjie of the General Administration of Press and Publication issued Announcement 50 on March 1, 2011, repealing two notices that were officially announced in 1999:
1. The notice on reaffirmation on the views of publications about Falun Gong; and
2. The notice on banning publication of Falun Gong books and enforcing administration of publications.
(Announcement 50 of the General Administration of Press and Publication on March 1, 2011)
“The decision of the Press and Publication Administration to repeal the fifth batch of normative documents” was passed during the second administrative meeting of the Administration on December 29, 2010. Now, it has been released to the public and becomes effective on the day of this announcement.
Director Liu Binjie, General Administration of Press and Publication
March 1, 2011
The decision of the General Administration of Press and Publication to abolish the fifth batch of normative documents:
To move forward with an administration that is based on law and strengthens the government of press and publication under the rule of law, the Administration of Press and Publication reviewed the fifth batch of normative documents and decided to repeal 161 notices. Now, it has been released to the public and becomes effective on the day of this announcement.
Table of Contents of the fifth batch documents that the Press and Publication Administration repealed., totaling 161 documents
No. 99. The notice on reaffirmation on the views of publications about Falun Gong.Number: [1999]933. Issued: July 22, 1999.No. 100. The notice on banning publication of Falun Gong books and enforcing administratively its publication.Number: [1999]989. Issued: August 5, 1999.
Falun Gong was first taught to the public in 1992 and soon gained immense popularity across China for its positive effects on health and morality. Nearly 100 million people were practicing Falun Gong by 1999.
Out of jealousy and fear of losing control over the population, Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, initiated the persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. The persecution has led to the confirmed deaths of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners over the past 18 years. Even more have been tortured for their faith and even killed for their organs.
Despite the persecution, people all over the world are now practicing Falun Gong. Its books have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Despite the repeal of the two unlawful notices, the persecution of Falun Gong persists. Many practitioners are still imprisoned. Reading and distributing Falun Gong informational materials can still lead to one’s arrest and imprisonment in much of China.