On April 7, more than a hundred people gathered in the Aotea Square to celebrate 300 Million denouncements from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In Chinese, it is known as the “Tuidang” movement, which means withdrawing (‘tui’) from the party (‘dang’).
The Tuidang celebration was hosted by the Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation exercise from China founded upon principles ‘truthfulness’, ‘compassion’, and ‘tolerance’. Numerous guest speakers also took part in the celebration; these include Barry Wilson, the president of Auckland Council for Civil Liberties and many Chinese pro-democracy activists including Weijian Chen and Freeman Yu. Many locals also stopped by to show their support.
On the opposite side of Queen St, an opposition group of Communist-supporters arrived with banners to protest against the Tuidang movement. These protesters consist of elderly Chinese who declared to support the Chinese Communist Party unconditionally.
Global Tuidang Centre: 300 million Chinese people have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organisations
The Tuidang movement is also known as the three withdrawals. That is, withdrawing from the Chinese Communist party, and the affiliated Communist Young Pioneers and the Communist Youth League, which most Chinese youth will have joined in schooling years. These ceremonies are often regarded with utmost pride when adolescents stand in front of the Chinese flag and swear to the following oath:
“I volunteer to join the Communist Party of China, to support the Party’s principles, to respect the provisions of the Party constitution, perform the duties of a Party member, carry out the Party’s decisions, strictly observe Party discipline, protect Party secrets, be loyal to the Party, work enthusiastically, fight for communism all my life, be ready at all times to sacrifice everything for the Party and the people, and never betray the Party.”
(Translation courtesy of Peter Wood)
The Tuidang Centre has a vision of raising awareness on the ‘destructive character of communism’ and has established various online platforms illustrating the oppressive effects of the Communist regime. Tuidang submissions are then recorded and tallied on the Tuidang webpage.
According to the Open Magazine, Falun Gong practitioners have promoted the Tuidang Movement since 2004 to advocate a new, democratic China. In July 2011, there were 90 million Chinese people who have renounced ties to the CCP.
The Tuidang movement have also received support from senators Mr Harkin (Iowa) and Mr Brown (Massachusetts) in 2012; Martha Flores Vasquez, District Leader in Queens, New York in 2014; and Poland’s Former President Lech Walesa in 2015.
The Tuidang Service Centre, New Zealand Branch spokesperson Ms Wei said, “Globally, there are 300 million Chinese people who have withdrawn from the Chinese communist party and its affiliated organisations.”
Auckland Council for Civil Liberties president Barry Wilson congratulated the Tuidang Movement for 300 million denouncements from the CCP- a significant milestone for human rights and the human civilisation.
Pro-communist protesters: “Every one of us is a member of the Chinese Communist Party”
Before the Tuidang celebration had began, Communist supporters had arrived on site raising banners, billboards and the Chinese Communist flag to condemn the Falun Gong and to support the CCP.
Soon after, a young girl in a Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) shirt appeared next to the Communist supporters and began a peaceful demonstration of the Falun Gong exercises.
Immediately, pro-communist protesters holding billboards surrounded her in a tight circle.
Pro-communist organiser Juan-ren Yan, also the deputy director of the Peaceful Reunification of China Association of New Zealand (PRCANZ) began chanting loudly into a microphone.
Yan asked, “Are you all blind?”
The pro-communist crowd chanted in unison, “Yes, all blind!”
Yan asked, “Are you all deaf?”
The crowd replied, “All deaf!”
When reporters approached the chanting crowd, an elderly woman with a badge blocked the way said, “Who are you with? We don’t want photos.”
The reporter asked, “Is Mr Juan-ren Yan a member of the Chinese Communist Party?”
The pro-communist protester replied, “We are all members of the Chinese Communist Party here.”
Chinese Association director: I will always stand with the Chinese government
One of the pro-communist organisers Yu-fang Han is the Chairman of the Panmure Chinese Association, an affiliated organisation of the overarching United Chinese Associations of New Zealand.
On the Tuidang Movement, Han Yu-fang told the Eagle Vision Times, “Even if our political views differ, they should not taint the reputation of Chinese people. “
Reporter: Do you think that they are damaging the reputation of Chinese people or the Chinese Communist Party? Is it correct that you disagree with their act of exposing the ugly side of China?
Ms Fang: I don’t agree.
Reporter: So they [Tuidang supporters] should cover them up?
Ms Fang: Yes… well no, it’s not that they should cover it up. I just think that they are damaging the reputation of Chinese people.
Reporter: How come? Is the Chinese Communist Party equivalent to Chinese people?
Ms Fang: The CCP is ruling China.
Reporter: The party is the head of the state. So we cannot condemn them when they make mistakes?
Ms Fang: No, that’s not what I’m saying…
—
Reporter: From our interview, I’ve gathered that you are unfamiliar with both historical and current events in mainland China. But if these unfortunate events have indeed taken place, will you still agree with the nature of these events?
Ms Fang: Regardless of what happens, I will always stand with my mother country. I will always stand with the Chinese (CCP) government.
Pro-Democracy supporters: The Chinese Communist Party is the most evil regime- It is now time to withdraw from the CCP
Pro-democratic activist and chief editor of the Beijing Spring Magazine Wei-jian Chen was invited to speak at the Tuidang Celebration. Chen said that it is now time to withdraw from the CCP, a regime of the utmost evil. He added that since establishment, the CCP has brought upon severe destruction of the Chinese nation and its traditional culture.
Pro-democracy activist Freeman Yu, also a former representative of the National People’s Congress and a former corporate executive in China, also spoke at the Tuidang event. Yu called upon the release of ‘709’ human rights lawyers in China who were arrested during the ‘709’ incident in 2015.
Pro-democracy activist Wei-guo Xi described his experience in the detention centres in mainland China where he was subjected to torture.
On the other hand, pro-democracy activist Mr Ding described a journey of awakening, from ‘Mao-worshippers’ three generations back, to one who has truly grasped the nature of the CCP.
Ding said, “The Chinese Communist Party brainwashes the Chinese people to sacrifice themselves for the Party.”
Space Dome founder- Principles should not be compromised for the sake of business
Dennis Hyde, management director of Space Dome technologies, has been a social activist since youth and a member of the Amnesty international for 20 years. He condemned the CCP for its mental and physical persecution of Chinese citizens, as well as its persecution of the Falun Gong.
“You’ve got to look at huge populations of people on the globe that are consciously repressed,” said Hyde. “Even coming here today and speaking freely is a god given right for us all.”
On top of that, he stressed the role of media in our society today.
“It has to be truthful journalism. All the media channels need to be free, not to be dictated by the government,” said Hyde.
“[In China,] you’ve got a dictatorship governing the greatest resources, which is the power of business. That’s where all the money is, [it is] very difficult to move that. Of course, where does the power come from? It comes from the top businesses; it comes from the military. Then you’ve got the media and the CCP controlling all of that. So then how do we make any headway with that? Especially as a little New Zealand. This is where we have to be strong. We have to stand up against the CCP and say, ‘Our principles are different, and these are our principles.’ “
“Of course, you get people standing up and they start off being strong and they get knocked down. They get knocked down because of the great pressure.”
But there are “some great speakers and some businesses who are standing for their principles. Like Falun Gong’s principles of truthfulness and tolerance.”
“We’ve heard all the stories about how the brave ones can get through, like Nelson Mandela.”
We’ve got a rise now in the ‘Awareness movement,’ said Hyde. The Awareness Party, for instance, has been created “to give people the opportunity to see a bit more of the truth.”
“Kiwis need to be aware of every culture that comes into our country. We need to know what they’re about, what they stand for.”
Xiao-bo He：The truth can be ugly and brutal, but it cannot be denied.
Pro-democracy supporter Xiao-bo He sailed to New Zealand from North Carolina on his very own ‘Starlight.’ As a Christian, he supports the freedom of spiritual expression and was interviewed along with his 11-year-old daughter Emerald.
Reporter: Some Chinese citizens regard the Tuidang event as a defamation of Chinese people and the Chinese government. How do you regard this issue?
Mr He: Whoever says that has identified themselves as Zhao’s. (Note: Zhao’s refer to top bureaucrats, the rich, leaders in-system and their offsprings.) If you are a high ranking official of the CCP, it is completely understandable for you have a financial dependence on them. But for most Chinese people, they are not Zhao’s. So I can only say that they have been brainwashed deeply. They think that the CCP represents them. The irony is similar to slaves who regard their employers as people who represent them. Actually, the CCP does not represent China. Has the CCP ever given me a chance to vote?
Reporter: Some Chinese are satisfied with the ‘voting system’ of China today. (Note: In theory, the right to vote and stand for election is outlined under article 34 in the constitution of China. And yet the one-party ruling system contradicts the theory of voting rights. ) That includes Mr Yan, one of the leaders of the pro-communist group across the road.
Mr He: I’m not surprised. Many of them hold high-ranking positions within the Chinese Communist Party and utter ‘blind lies with their eyes open.’ Lying is one of the many skills they’ve mastered. They have to do this in order to reach where they are today- be it an official or a representative. Under CCP’s reign, you have to lie without even blinking. That is one of the fundamental skills of a member of the CCP.
The reporter asked 11-year-old Emerald, “Do you know what it means to ‘lie blindly with your eyes open?’
Emerald said, “It’s when you know that you’re lying, but you’re still lying. You know that everyone else knows that you’re lying, so why do you say it?”
It is safe to say that all Chinese are aware of the fact that they have no voting rights in China. Yet to uphold and support a false constitution reveals the true nature of CCP members who dare not criticise the party.
Mr He: This is the arrogance of power and the promotion of such arrogance. It’s blackmail in plain sight, and yet we have been trained to be submissive under such arrogance and threat.
Emerald: “It’s as if your superior claims that this tree is a strand of grass, then you must also say that it is a strand of grass. In their minds, they own the world.”
Mr He: “This is a very frightening matter. When your superior says that this is a strand of grass, the Party members will immediately say that this is a strand of grass and will exhaust their brains to come up with a lot of reasons to prove that it is indeed a strand of grass – a skill that every Party member must master. The Western ideology is based upon respect, but the CCP’s ideology is based upon fear. Many Chinese remain fearful of the CCP even in Western societies. Fear has taken root in their hearts and has become second nature.”
Mr He: “At times, people despise the truth, because the truth is typically ugly. Humanity itself has an ugly side – especially being a Christian, [we] believe that there are evils in this world, and that evils are ugly and fearsome. [Emerald: “That’s why you don’t want to see (the truth)”] Yes – that’s why you don’t want to see [the truth]. One is aware of the truth, yet one would rather avert their eyes than to look.”
Mr He: “We know that they [Falun Gong practitioners] have been through a lot of persecution. Such suffering has empowered them with spirit and energy. You can see that the majority of Falun Gong practitioners have families, if they don’t [have the spirit], I think that it is very difficult for parents to let their children [practice Falun Gong]… very difficult. You would understand if you have children, that parents must feel agonising to be able to do this…”
Note: Mr He implies that parents may be torn between letting their children uphold their spiritual beliefs and endangering their safety, as children can also be persecuted in China for practicing Falun Gong.
Mr He: “From the information that the Falun Gong have exposed and information that I’ve received from other sources regarding organ harvesting, I believe that it is essentially true. However, when such appalling, frightening truth is exposed, it can be regarded as questionable rumours and be twisted by the opposition- the CCP, who says, ‘You see, that’s the type of rumours the Falun Gong fabricates.’ This is also an obstacle that has prevented people from learning the truth.
Mr He: “The truth can be ugly and brutal, but it cannot be denied!”
Chen: New Zealand Chinese need to dissociate themselves from the CCP
Pro-democracy activist Wei-jian Chen urged Chinese-Kiwis to dissociate themselves from the CCP wholeheartedly.
Do not confuse China and the Chinese government
“The Chinese Communist Party and China are separate, do not regard them as one. The mission of Falun Gong practitioners is not to defame our mother country, but to expose the crimes of the CCP!”
“Under the propaganda of the CCP, many have confused China with the CCP, thinking that the CCP is China, and that China is the CCP. If you believe that, then you would think that Falun Gong practitioners set out to ridicule China.”
“For other Chinese immigrants, some may have had first-hand experience with the CCP’s crimes, others may have been oppressed and restricted by the regime, and as a result, only discover the truth about Falun Gong and the CCP overseas.”
“Of course, their negative impression of the Falun Gong reflects a critical issue. That is a result of the CCP’s circulation of its false propaganda. So we have to understand them. We have to take the initiative to press on with our movement and our campaign.”
China’s economic prosperity is not created by the CCP
Chen continued, “It is often said that the CCP has guided the development of China’s economy in recent years. This, in itself, is a false proposition and a misconception. After the CCP’s revolutionary takeover, private entities have been converted to state properties; free economy has become planned economy; within the first 30 years of its reign, China’s economy was on the verge of collapsing. China’s citizens lived in misery – we have all witnessed it.”
“30 years into its reign, the CCP became aware of the crisis. Deng Xiaoping suggested an economic reform and was appointed to lead it. That was also a false proposition. In reality, Deng Xiaoping merely reinstated a portion of the free trade regulations that the CCP has previously removed. The prosperity of China’s economy in the past 30 years is a result of reduced control from the CCP which led to the partial recovery of China’s economy. This in turn, gave rise to a sharp economic prosperity and a large manufacturing potential.”
“So China’s economic prosperity is the reflection of its people. It’s the wisdom and hard work of Chinese citizens that created its prosperity. The only relevance of the CCP is that, without it, the economy may have flourished to a greater extent!”
The Chinese Communist Party does not allow for voluntary renouncements
We all know of the Jian Yang incident with teaching English to spies in China.
On this matter, pro-democracy activist Wei-jian Chen said, “Is Jian Yang a spy? He’s concealed a significant problem in his response to the press conference last year. That is, he was initially a student of Luoyang foreign languages institute. He became as teacher there after having completed his studies. So, in confirming that he has been teaching Chinese spies at the Luoyang foreign languages institute, he confirms that he too, is a spy!”
“The CCP has never accepted any proposals to quit membership. There are only members who have been expelled, not voluntary withdrawals. Yang’s relationship with the Chinese Embassy, his speech, his actions, his goals and pursuits all indicate that he has not been expelled from the CCP. He is still a member of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Many Chinese associations and local Chinese- kiwis have already severed ties with National MP Jian Yang. However the National Party has yet to cut ties with Yang.”
“Yang has became a liability of New Zealand politics. Yang’s incident has greatly influenced the outcome of last year’s elections for the National Party. So if the National party aims to return as the governing party, they will have to cut ties with Jian Yang sooner or later. The fact that Yang serves as a spy for the CCP has been reported internationally by media including the New York Times (who has also interviewed me on this matter.) So who would dare to have affiliations with Yang in a democratic society? As for the National Party which has yet cut Yang loose, it is a matter of financial benefits. To my knowledge, Yang has contributed to a third of National’s Chinese political donations during elections last year. I suspect that they will fade him out when timing is suitable.”
The cycle of manipulation and desertion
“We have recently formed a group with our circle of pro-democracy friends – the New Zealand Values Alliance which targets those who propagate the dictatorship ideology of the CCP rather than the freedom of a democratic society. Our goal is to help them [pro-communist supporters] come to one realisation – that the CCP and China are separate entities.”
“My next point is that if you do not agree with the values of New Zealand, you will be miserable upon arriving here. Upon meeting the locals, you will find that they value and enjoy the principles of Kiwi culture. If you want to lead a life as a New Zealander, and yet you remain fixated on the idea of totalitarianism, you will feel very conflicted. In addition, the Western society is now undergoing immense changes – the United States, especially. To apply for permanent residency in the United States, you have to possess its values. As a citizen of New Zealand and Western countries, you have the freedom to express yourself and uphold your principles. That’s fine because you are already a resident there. But in the future, immigrants may be denied entry if they protest and fight for communism while receiving the benefits from a democratic society. I hope that all who possess such mentality will awaken.”
“In addition, the Chinese Communist Party would manipulate overseas Chinese individuals before eventually deserting them. The CCP was a bystander when other nations were discriminating against Chinese abroad, such as in Indonesia. You may regard the CCP as your mother but this mother has never seen you as a son. I believe that many of those who fight and protest for the CCP will come to realise that: while they were taught to prioritize the CCP over their own parents, the CCP has never treated you as family!”
Mr Juan-ren Yan who had expressed his “ultimate support for the CCP” at the Tuidang event has written an open letter to the Shanghai Municipal Committee on Mar 23. In the letter, Yan addressed the “Shanghai permanent resident regulations” issued by Shanghai authorities which will terminate the Chinese citizenship of Chinese citizens abroad.
In the letter, Yan said, “We have been deserted by our home country. The contentment of 60 million Chinese abroad, have been stripped off us.”
Chinese- New Zealanders need to dissociate themselves from the CCP wholeheartedly
Chen said, “For those Chinese who have migrated overseas in search for a quiet, peaceful life, they will critically reflect on their life in China. The openness of communication abroad have alerted them to the corruption of the CCP. They will consider withdrawing from the CCP as a meaningful act in their life. In order to redeem themselves and start anew, they will want to renounce membership from the Chinese Communist Party.”
“For some reason in the past, these people have joined the CCP or have became an official in the CCP. But now that they are aware of what they have contributed to; they realise that they have helped the CCP persecute our Chinese nation and our Chinese people; and have even committed crimes. So upon arriving overseas, they will reflect critically, and they will leave the CCP.”
“Of course, it requires courage to withdraw from the CCP publicly, and only few do so. But we need more people to wholeheartedly draw the line between ourselves and the Chinese Communist Party.”
Translated from Chinese
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