When Chinese leader Jiang Zemin banned Falun Gong on July 20, 1999,
up to 100 million people in China were suddenly cast into the role of criminals. There are many theories regarding the reasons behind this incomprehensible act. Superficially, it looked like the entire Chinese government had decided to eliminate the practice. Emerging evidence suggests, however, that it was Jiang alone who was responsible, fearing the growing numbers of practitioners and jealous of the practice’s popularity, among other reasons. Unable to crush the millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang intensified the regime’s propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against Falun Gong while imprisoning, torturing, and even murdering those who practice it.
Background of the persecution