(Minghui.org) To commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the release of the Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party, elected officials in Washington DC, experts, media, and survivors of the persecution attended a forum on Capitol Hill on November 22, 2024, to celebrate the 440 million people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.

US Congressmen said it’s encouraging that 440 million Chinese citizens have renounced their memberships in the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Several elected officials saluted those who had the courage to quit the CCP and expressed their support for the those who seek to break away from the regime’s tyranny.

The Epoch Times and NTD TV’s forum on Capitol Hill on November 22 celebrated the 440 million Chinese people who have renounced their association with the CCP and its affiliated organizations and commemorated two decades since the release of the editorial series Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party. Elected officials in Washington D.C., experts, and media spoke at the forum. (Photo of the forum).

Congressman: It Is Encouraging that Nearly 440 Million Chinese People Have Come to Light

Rep. Ralph Norman recorded a video for the forum in which he said, “The Epoch Times publication - ‘Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party’ which was published some 20 years ago to date is an extraordinary work highlighting the destruction of the CCP.” “It is so encouraging that now nearly 440 million Chinese people have come to light and quit the CCP. I believe this is largely in part due to the Epoch Times, especially its Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party.”

Three congressmen recorded videos or issued statements for the forum. From left to right: Dan Newhouse, Gus Bilirakis, Ralph Norman

Norman said, “The CCP has persecuted millions of Falun Gong practitioners, which I know is such an important practice for the Chinese culture.”

Rep. Gus Bilirakis wrote in his letter of support: “China has a long history [of] using a variety of repressive methods as a part of a genocidal campaign to forcibly remove the people and culture of certain religious and ethnic minorities within China.

“Falun Gong practitioners in particular have been the target of the CCP. Falun Gong practitioners suffer from persecution, intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and even death at the hands of the CCP solely because of adherence to their personal beliefs. They are the main source of organs illegally harvested by the Chinese government.”

Rep. Dan Newhouse wrote in his letter of support: “It is no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is working around the clock to influence our institutions and change our way of life here in the United States and around the world. Religious freedom, freedom of speech, and basic human rights are the cornerstones of liberty, and I remain committed to reining in the CCP's malicious efforts to degrade them.”

Former Assistant Secretary of State: Diplomats Should Not Have Any Illusions About the CCP

At the forum, Robert Destro, former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, reminded U.S. diplomats not to have any illusions about the CCP, that they should have a clear understanding of CCP officials.

Robert Destro, former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said, “Quitting the CCP is a peaceful spiritual awakening movement.”

He noted that foreign diplomats have the opportunity to speak to CCP officials face to face. Because of that, he suggested, “We must realize that, like us, they are God’s citizens, yet, at the same time, they participate in taking organs from Cheng Peiming. Therefore, we must be clear about reality and know who we are dealing with.”

Retired Army Colonel: The CCP Is the Source of the World’s Problems

John Mills, former Director of Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy, and International Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and a retired army colonel, said all the problems in this world can be directly attributed to the CCP.

Retired army colonel John Mills spoke at the forum.

Mills emphasized: “We are now in extremely dangerous times... the CCP is exporting its evil actions around the world. Every conflict in this world can be directly attributed to the regime’s evil actions.”

Chairman of the Global Quit the CCP Center: Quitting the CCP Is a Spiritual Awakening

Yi Zhongyuan, chairman of the Global Quit the CCP Center, said in her speech: “Quitting the CCP is not a political movement, it’s more like a spiritual awakening.”

She said the 440 million who have withdrawn from the CCP include Party officials, and members of the Young Pioneers and Youth League. Globally, millions of volunteers work tirelessly day and night, using phone calls, the Internet, and other means, to help Chinese people recognize the CCP’s evil nature and quit the Party.

“The goal of communism,” Ms.Yi said, “is to destroy the world.” She called on international society to do more to support Chinese people in quitting the CCP. “Supporting the movement is not only supporting the freedom of Chinese people, it is also supporting and protecting global freedom and safety.”