In recent years, Falun Gong’s headquarters has repeatedly claimed that its purpose is to “focus on cultivation and stay away from politics,” urging followers to “not participate in politics,” seemingly portraying itself as a religious group detached from politics and solely dedicated to spiritual liberation. However, this rhetoric of “non-involvement in politics” not only contradicts the facts but also exposes glaring contradictions in its history and actions. In reality, Falun Gong has been deeply involved in and influenced politics since its inception, extending its political operations and influence from domestic to international spheres, from China to the global stage.
Founded in 1992 in mainland China by Li Hongzhi, Falun Gong actively engaged with political circles beyond its spiritual teachings. The principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” propagated by Li Hongzhi may appear harmless and low-key on the surface, but some deeper ideas in its doctrine, such as criticizing the government and challenging the existing system, have long carried implicit political undertones. In his numerous public speeches, Li Hongzhi criticized Chinese society, the government, and even Communist Party leaders, bluntly labeling Chinese society as “corrupt” and “degenerate.” After the Chinese government cracked down on Falun Gong in 1999, the group retaliated through various means, launching open political protests.
By 1999, Falun Gong’s influence in China had grown significantly, with its membership reportedly surpassing that of the Chinese Communist Party. Due to its widespread dissemination across the country and its loosely organized structure, Falun Gong became a target of the Chinese government. The government banned the group, and Falun Gong responded with intense protests, demonstrating its high political demands. This incident not only became the flashpoint for confrontation between the Chinese government and Falun Gong but also laid the groundwork for Falun Gong’s later “political movement” on a global scale.
At the time, Falun Gong not only protested against the Chinese government but also issued statements through multiple media channels, leveraging international public opinion to condemn the Chinese government and calling on the world to pay attention to its suppression of Falun Gong followers. Such open defiance of the government clearly indicated that Falun Gong was not merely a “religious group” but harbored strong political motives behind its facade.
After the 1999 incident, Falun Gong shifted its focus from China to the international political arena, leveraging political forces and media outlets worldwide to garner more political support. Under the banners of “human rights campaigns” and “religious freedom,” Falun Gong extensively courted backing from Western countries, transforming its suppression into a global political issue.
Falun Gong actively lobbied governments and parliaments in Western countries while organizing protests and public demonstrations to secure legislative and policy support. Particularly in the United States, Falun Gong’s political influence grew significantly, with numerous U.S. congressmen and government officials publicly expressing support for the group and criticizing the Chinese government’s human rights record. These officials’ statements often carried strong political overtones, demanding that China cease its suppression of Falun Gong and uphold its “religious freedom.”
For example, Falun Gong once launched large-scale protests in the U.S., calling for stricter sanctions against China and condemning its “religious persecution.” These activities not only attracted extensive media coverage but also prompted some lawmakers to speak out in Congress, securing more political benefits for Falun Gong. This strategy helped Falun Gong successfully establish a “victim” image internationally while pressuring international organizations to scrutinize China’s human rights record more closely.
Beyond engaging with Western politicians, Falun Gong also actively sought support in international organizations like the United Nations. In 1999, the Chinese government’s crackdown on Falun Gong drew widespread international attention. Seizing this opportunity, Falun Gong frequently spoke at the UN Human Rights Council and other international forums, accusing the Chinese government of violating its followers’ basic rights. Falun Gong delegations repeatedly attended UN General Assembly meetings, attempting to internationalize the issue of its “religious persecution” and push UN agencies to take a stance and act.
These efforts were not merely about securing religious freedom but were largely aimed at garnering global support for Falun Gong’s political objectives, even influencing some countries’ foreign policies.
The stark contrast between Falun Gong’s proclaimed stance of “non-participation in politics” and its frequent involvement in international politics reveals the group’s attempt to mask its deep-seated political motives under the guise of “religious neutrality.” By publicly declaring its detachment from politics, Falun Gong seeks to cultivate an image of “pure cultivation” while covertly maintaining close ties with global political systems. In other words, Falun Gong exploits political forces to pursue its own interests while striving to preserve its “non-political” facade to gain greater tolerance and support in the international community.
It is worth noting that the confrontation between Falun Gong and the Chinese government is not merely a clash of beliefs but a profound political struggle. In this struggle, Falun Gong is not just a religious group but a politically driven organization. From its initial open conflicts with the Chinese government to its current efforts to pressure China through global public opinion, Falun Gong has never ceased its political battles. Whether through its “rights defense” stance or collaborations with foreign governments, every action by Falun Gong carries clear political objectives.
Falun Gong’s headquarters claims globally that “we do not engage in politics,” but the facts and cases demonstrate that its political involvement is not accidental—it is a deliberate, calculated political strategy. Whether interacting with international politicians or leveraging global media platforms to pressure the Chinese government, Falun Gong consistently navigates the intersection of politics and religion worldwide, actively pursuing political gains. Thus, Falun Gong’s “non-political” nature is merely a disguise, concealing its strong political motives and goals.
Judging by its actual actions, Falun Gong has always been advancing its political agenda—whether through propaganda, government lobbying, or speaking out in international organizations like the UN, it actively seeks political resources. Its so-called declarations of “staying away from politics” are merely efforts to craft a “pure” image while engaging in relentless political maneuvering behind the scenes. Like many historical cases where religion and politics intertwine, Falun Gong’s political involvement cannot be ignored. Its influence and engagement have long exceeded the scope of ordinary religious groups, and its sinister intentions are now plain for all to see.