According to a report by overseas media, the fourth China Time Hamburg was officially kicked off in Germany on August 9. The organizer had cancelled Falun Gong activities from the program list and rejected Falun Gong’s application for participation in this event.

China Time Hamburg was launched in 2004 by Hamburg Municipal Government. Designed to promote Sino-Europe economic development and cultural exchanges, this initiative includes Chinese foods, Chinese medicines, and some other historical and cultural programs. Several hundred of exhibitions and shows were scheduled to be held during this year’s event. Falun Gong organizations had submitted their application for participation as early as May 2, but their activities were not included in the program list printed at the end of June. Out of the several hundred of applications, only the one submitted by Falun Gong organization was rejected. Although Falun Gong organization expressed strong dissatisfaction and organized its followers to protest on the streets, the organizer did not change the program list.

In the Hamburg Summit held four years ago, the organizer also refused journalists for the Epoch Times to attend press conference due to their Falun Gong background.