Letter: Kaine, Warner should support Falun Gong Protection Act

Beijing faces a crisis as Xi Jinping acknowledges “difficulties and problems” in economic development – an unprecedented admission from Chinese Communist leadership. The recent ousting of Xi’s close allies, the ex-foreign minister and ex-defense minister, and his brief disappearance from public view have fueled speculation about political instability.

As the United States prepares for potential changes in China, aligning with the Chinese people emerges as a strategic approach. While existing laws support Tibetans, Uyghurs and residents of Hong Kong, and Taiwan, these regions represent only a fraction of China’s population and geography. Falun Gong, despite its widespread presence and influence in China, has received limited U.S. support.

A Buddha school spiritual and meditation practice, Falun Gong gained popularity before the paranoid Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution of it in 1999. Yet Falun Gong practitioners have peacefully resisted the suppression while educating the world about Chinese Communism and the traditional Chinese values that Falun Gong teaches. It has proven to be a unifying force that could play a crucial role during times of crisis.

The Falun Gong Protection Act, which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now introduced in the Senate, aims to deter state-sanctioned organ harvesting crime in China, in which Falun Gong is one – and probably the main – target. This bill represents a significant step toward engaging mainstream Chinese society and providing material support to Falun Gong.

It is both morally imperative and strategically wise for Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to support this bill. While President Joe Biden has successfully built international alliances, signing this bill into law would be a positive gesture toward building allies within China itself.

– Li Ding, Fairfax