I have a personal story regarding the reports by the Western media on the degree of repression in China.

In the 90's, when i shared a kiosk in the mall with a group of artists from Beijing, China, one of the artists invited me over to his apartment for dinner. His girlfriend was jailed for promoting Fulan Gong, a practice that China deemed unlawful.

it was widely reported by Western media that the followers were persecuted in prisons throughout China. I recall one report stating that they, the prisoners, were subjected to appalling conditions.

The young lady, who was stunningly attractive, had approximately 300 pictures of her time spent in custody.


Her housing looked similar to a hotel room at the local Holiday Inn, with air conditioning. There was an exercise room with ping pong tables, and the cafeteria looked similar to the chow halls in my Air Force days. Behind her room was a large green field with a small stream.

She laughed at the reports of torture and poor living conditions. Her friends visited as did her parents. She said there were classes that tried to dissuade her and her classmates from following the teachings of the Fulan Gong.

She said she met many new friends she keeps in touch with, including one of her instructors. I got the impression that her following the Falun Gong was just a phase of her life that was now behind her.