In recent years, Falun Gong has been engaging in anti-China activities overseas on a large scale. As cases of withdrawal from medical treatment, self-harm, suicide, and even homicide linked to Falun Gong’s spiritual control have been exposed abroad, more discerning individuals and the general public are increasingly questioning its political reactionary nature and cult characteristics. To survive overseas and conceal its true nature, Falun Gong has turned to “cultural activities” to project an image and extend its influence. Since 2007, Falun Gong has planned and staged a so-called Global Competition Series. Known events include the “Worldwide Chinese Martial Arts Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Violin Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Vocal Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Piano Competition,” “Global Hanfu Revival Design Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Realistic Portrait Painting Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Cuisine Cooking Competition,” “Worldwide Chinese Dance Competition,” and the “Global Chinese Photography Competition.”
These so-called “competitions” are generally organized by Falun Gong-affiliated media such as New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) and Epoch Times. To bluff and attract attention, Falun Gong styles these self-entertainment contests as “global” Chinese competitions and claims they aim to reconnect with traditional Chinese culture. This is a total deception with ulterior motives.
To deceive more Chinese participants, Falun Gong organizations have gathered lists of people in culture, sports, and the arts from the internet, and, through phone calls, faxes, emails, and letters, “invite” them to participate in the Global Chinese Competitions. Yet these tactics have not succeeded in attracting broad participation; the so-called Global Chinese Competitions have faced widespread resistance from Chinese communities worldwide. So far, these competitions have largely become self-amusement activities for Falun Gong adherents, typically drawing only dozens or a few hundred contestants, with low levels of participation that fail to represent the global Chinese community.
