Yang Xiaolan, a Falun Gong practitioner who fled from mainland China, cries during an interview at her home in Hong Kong, China July 2, 2020. Picture taken July 2, 2020. REUTERS/Pak Yiu

A street booth providing Falun Gong promotional materials is seen at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry terminal in Hong Kong, China, July 5, 2020. Picture taken July 5, 2020. REUTERS/Pak Yiu u000d u000d

Yang Xiaolan, a Falun Gong practitioner who fled from mainland China, practises Falun Gong at her backyard during an interview in Hong Kong, China, July 2, 2020. Picture taken July 2, 2020. REUTERS/Pak Yiu

A South Korean Falun Gong practitioner takes part in a rally against China's crackdown on Falun Gong followers in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul, November 11, 2010, as Chinese President Hu Jintao visits to attend the G20 Summit. Falun Gong was banned in China in 1999 and over 3,300 Chinese practitioners have died in prison or due to abuse in the 10 years of the crackdown, according to members of the group.The Chinese letters on the sign read, "China is good! Chinese people are good! But Chinese Communist Party is not good!" REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS RELIGION)

South Korean Falun Gong practitioners meditate as they commemorate the 11th anniversary of International Falun Gong Day, which falls on May 13, in Seoul May 9, 2010, while they also stage a rally against China's crackdown on Falun Gong followers. Hundreds of South Korean members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement participated in the rally. Falun Gong was banned in China in 1999 after thousands of members gathered in central Beijing to protest around China's Communist Party headquarters. Over 3,300 Chinese Falun Gong practitioners have died in prison or due to abuse in the ten years of the crackdown, according to Falun Gong. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

South Korean Falun Gong practitioners meditate as they commemorate the 11th anniversary of International Falun Gong Day, which falls on May 13, in Seoul May 9, 2010, while they also stage a rally against China's crackdown on Falun Gong followers. Hundreds of South Korean members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement participated in the rally. Falun Gong was banned in China in 1999 after thousands of members gathered in central Beijing to protest around China's Communist Party headquarters. Over 3,300 Chinese Falun Gong practitioners have died in prison or due to abuse in the ten years of the crackdown, according to Falun Gong. REUTERS/Truth Leem (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A woman practices Falungong in protest against China's banning of the spiritual practice near the United Nations in New York September 23, 2009. REUTERS/Natalie Behring (UNITED STATES POLITICS RELIGION)

Followers attend a candlelight vigil in Taipei, July 19, 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown of the spiritual group Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN SOCIETY RELIGION CONFLICT)

Followers attend a candlelight vigil in Taipei, July 19, 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown of the spiritual group Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN SOCIETY RELIGION CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A human rights activist protests against the visit of China's President Hu Jintao in Slovakia in front of China supporters near the Presidential Palace in Bratislava June 18, 2009. REUTERS/David W Cerny (SLOVAKIA POLITICS CONFLICT)

Falun Gong members practise after a news conference at Liberty Square in Taipei April 25, 2009, to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown that drove Falun Gong underground in mainland China. Hundreds of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement held protests in Hong Kong and Taiwan on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of a surprise demonstration in Beijing that led to its outlawing in China. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN RELIGION POLITICS CONFLICT)

Falun Gong members practise after a news conference at Liberty Square in Taipei April 25, 2009, to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown that drove Falun Gong underground in mainland China. Hundreds of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement held protests in Hong Kong and Taiwan on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of a surprise demonstration in Beijing that led to its outlawing in China. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN RELIGION POLITICS CONFLICT)

Falun Gong members practise after a news conference at Liberty Square in Taipei April 25, 2009, to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown that drove Falun Gong underground in mainland China. Hundreds of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement held protests in Hong Kong and Taiwan on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of a surprise demonstration in Beijing that led to its outlawing in China. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN RELIGION POLITICS CONFLICT)

Falun Gong members practise after a news conference at Liberty Square in Taipei April 25, 2009, to mark the 10th anniversary of the crackdown that drove Falun Gong underground in mainland China. Hundreds of members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement held protests in Hong Kong and Taiwan on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of a surprise demonstration in Beijing that led to its outlawing in China. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN RELIGION POLITICS CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Falun Gong followers hold banners during a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur April 25, 2009. A decade-long crackdown drove Falun Gong underground in mainland China but it has flourished abroad, where it has morphed from a spiritual movement into a vehicle against Chinese Communist Party rule. The banners read "Falun Dafa". REUTERS/Zainal Abd Halim (MALAYSIA POLITICS CONFLICT ANNIVERSARY)

More than three hundred Falun Gong followers meditate at Hong Kong's Victoria Park April 25, 2009 to mark the the 10th anniversary of the Falun Gong protest in Beijing, which triggered a crackdown and the designation of the group as a cult. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA POLITICS ANNIVERSARY)

More than three hundred Falun Gong followers meditate at Hong Kong's Victoria Park April 25, 2009 to mark the the 10th anniversary of the Falun Gong protest in Beijing, which triggered a crackdown and the designation of the group as a cult. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA POLITICS ANNIVERSARY)

More than three hundred Falun Gong followers meditate at Hong Kong's Victoria Park April 25, 2009 to mark the the 10th anniversary of the Falun Gong protest in Beijing, which triggered a crackdown and the designation of the group as a cult. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA POLITICS ANNIVERSARY)

Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners practice in front of Taipei 101 building where Chen Yunlin, Chairman of China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), eats dinner in Taipei November 3, 2008. Negotiators for China and Taiwan will meet this week, as Beijing sends its highest-level official in decades to the self-ruled island that it claims as its own to sign a list of deals over a din of protests. Talks between Chen and Taiwan's top negotiator on China policy will be held from November 3 to 7. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang (TAIWAN)

A member of Falun Gong is seen during a demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy in Sofia August 9, 2008 to call upon China to improve its human rights record. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov (BULGARIA)

A follower practises Falun Gong at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei July 2, 2008. Chinese tourists arriving in Taiwan this week may meet face to face with followers of the spiritual group Falun Gong, but tourism authorities will try to prevent possible confrontations, local media reported. Falun Gong has been persecuted in China, but followers are allowed to practise freely in Taiwan and have been promoting the movement at sightseeing spots popular with Chinese tourists. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN)

A member of Falun Gong meditates in the rain during a demonstration in Sydney September 7, 2007, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit.

REUTERS/Russell Boyce (AUSTRALIA)

Members of Falun Gong hold banners during a demonstration in Sydney September 6, 2007, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit. REUTERS/Russell Boyce (AUSTRALIA)

Members of Falun Gong have their hands tied during a demonstration in Sydney September 6, 2007, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Members of Falun Gong dressed as Chinese police officers and victims demonstrate in Sydney, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit, September 6, 2007. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (AUSTRALIA)

Members of Falun Gong are dressed as a Chinese police officer and a victim demonstrate in Sydney ahead of this week's Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation APEC summit September 4, 2007.
REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Members of spiritual movement Falun Gong meditate during a protest in central Bucharest July 20, 2007. China classified Falun Gong as a cult and banned it in 1999. Since then the group has campaigned from abroad against what it says is brutal persecution of its followers in China. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel (ROMANIA)

A member of spiritual movement Falun Gong meditates during a protest in central Bucharest July 20, 2007. China classified Falun Gong as a cult and banned it in 1999. Since then the group has campaigned from abroad against what it says is brutal persecution of its followers in China. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel (ROMANIA)

A Falun Gong member meditates during a demonstration outside the Chinese government's local liaison office in Hong Kong June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA)

A follower of the Fa Lun Gong religious sect meditates under a pedestrian bridge in Singapore March 14, 2007. Members of the Fa Lun Gong sect, which claims 100 million members, is led by U.S.-based Li Hongzhi, who preaches salvation from a wicked world headed for catastrophe. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SINGAPORE)

Followers of the Fa Lun Gong religious sect meditate under a pedestrian bridge in Singapore March 14, 2007. Members of the Fa Lun Gong sect, which claims 100 million members, is led by U.S.-based Li Hongzhi, who preaches salvation from a wicked world headed for catastrophe. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SINGAPORE)

Followers of the Fa Lun Gong religious sect meditate under a pedestrian bridge in Singapore March 14, 2007. Members of the Fa Lun Gong sect, which claims 100 million members, is led by U.S.-based Li Hongzhi, who preaches salvation from a wicked world headed for catastrophe. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SINGAPORE)

Falun Gong followers meditate during a hunger strike demonstration in
Hong Kong August 13, 2002 to call for an end to Beijing's suppression
of the controversial spiritual movement and the preservation of
freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations take place ahead of
Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong followers accused of
causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's main representative
office in Hong Kong while protesting China's crackdown on the movement.
REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/CP

Police officers watch meditating Falun Gong followers during a hunger
strike in Hong Kong August 13, 2002. The group called for an end to
Beijing's suppression of the controversial spiritual movement and the
preservation of freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations take
place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong
followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's
main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's
crackdown on the movement. REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/RCS

Falun Gong followers march in Hong Kong August 12, 2002 to call for an
end to Beijing's suppression of the controversial spiritual movement
and the preservation of freedoms in the territory. The protest took
place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong
followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's
main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's
crackdown on the movement. REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/DL

Twenty Falun Gong followers march in Hong Kong August 12, 2002 to call
for an end to Beijing's suppression of the controversial spiritual
movement and the preservation of freedoms in the territory. The protest
took place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong
followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's
main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's
crackdown on the movement. REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/DL

A Falun Gong follower, wearing a religious pendant, meditates during a
hunger strike demonstration in Hong Kong August 12, 2002 to call for an
end to Beijing's suppression of the controversial spiritual movement
and the preservation of freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations
take place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong
followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's
main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's
crackdown on the movement. REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/CP

Falun Gong followers meditate during a hunger strike demonstration in
Hong Kong August 12, 2002 to call for an end to Beijing's suppression
of the controversial spiritual movement and the preservation of
freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations take place ahead of
Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong followers accused of
causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's main representative
office in Hong Kong while protesting China's crackdown on the movement.
REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/CP

Police officers watch meditating Falun Gong followers during a hunger
strike in Hong Kong August 12, 2002. The group called for an end to
Beijing's suppression of the controversial spiritual movement and the
preservation of freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations take
place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong
followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's
main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's
crackdown on the movement. REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/RCS

Falun Gong followers meditate during a hunger strike demonstration in
Hong Kong August 12, 2002 to call for an end to Beijing's suppression
of the controversial spiritual movement and the preservation of
freedoms in the territory. The demonstrations take place ahead of
Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong followers accused of
causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's main representative
office in Hong Kong while protesting China's crackdown on the movement.
REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/CP

A Chinese mother, carrying her son, cycles past a satellite dish in
Beijing July 12, 2002. Beijing has vowed to punish Falun Gong adherents
it blamed for the satellite sabotage, underscoring its deep hatred for
the movement that has staged some of the boldest protests against
Communist Party rule since its popularity in China began to spread a
decade ago. Between June 23 and 30, television hijackers had cut into
broadcasts of the World Cup finals, ceremonies marking the fifth
anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule attended by President
Jiang Zemin and news of devastating floods, officials said.
REUTERS/Guang Niu

GN/DL

More than 100 Falun Gong followers stage a protest march in Hong Kong
May 13, 2002 to mark the 10th anniversary of the first time Falun
Gong's now-exiled founder, Li Hongzhi, began to spread his teachings.
Chinese police hauled off a lone foreign supporter of the banned
spiritual movement in China after he held up a small protest banner in
Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday, witnesses said. REUTERS/Bobby
Yip

BY/CP

Falun Gong followers holding placards practise meditation exercises in
Hong Kong May 13, 2002 to mark the 10th anniversary of the first time
Falun Gong's now-exiled founder, Li Hongzhi, began to spread his
teachings. Chinese police hauled off a lone foreign supporter of the
banned spiritual movement in China after he held up a small protest
banner in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday, witnesses said.
REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BY/CP

More than 100 Falun Gong followers practise meditation exercises in
Hong Kong May 13, 2002 to mark the 10th anniversary of the first time
Falun Gong's now-exiled founder, Li Hongzhi, began to spread his
teachings. Chinese police hauled off a lone foreign supporter of the
banned Falun Gong spiritual movement after he held up a small protest
banner in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday, witnesses said.
REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BY/CP

Chen Guo, 20, recovering from injuries sustained when she set herself
on fire at Tiananmen Square last year during a protest by alleged
followers of the Falun Gong movement, lies in a hospital bed in Kaifeng
in Henan province April 4, 2002. China has banned the Falun Gong
movement, declaring it an "evil cult", while followers accuse the
government of a brutal crackdown on believers. Two people died in the
protest in January 2001. China has long denied foreign media access to
the protesters, but this week arranged interviews with the survivors
and their accomplices, including two jail inmates. REUTERS/Str

GN/DL

Falun Gong practitioner Simone Schlegel from Switzerland medidates
outside Hong Kong's Legislative Council March 20, 2002. Hong Kong
police earlier charged 16 followers, including four from Switzerland,
for obstruction offences after they protested against Beijing's
crackdown on the controversial spiritual movement. It was the first
time the local government had charged Falun Gong adherents, according
to the group. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BY/CP

A Falun Gong practitioner holds a photograph, taken by a Falun Gong
follower, showing Hong Kong police taking away Falun Gong protesters on
Thursday, as she meditates outside a police station March 15, 2002.
Hong Kong police on Friday charged 16 followers, including four from
Switzerland, for obstruction offences after their Thursday protest
against Beijing's crackdown on the controversial spiritual movement. It
was the first time the local government had charged Falun Gong
adherents, according to the group. Chinese characters on the placard
reads "Police violently break into peaceful protesters" REUTERS/Bobby
Yip

BY/CP

Falun Gong practitioners meditate outside a police station in Hong Kong
March 15, 2002 to protest against the use of violence against their
followers on Thursday. Hong Kong police on Friday charged 16 followers,
including four from Switzerland, for obstruction offences after their
Thursday protest against Beijing's crackdown on the controversial
spiritual movement. It was the first time the local government had
charged Falun Gong adherents, according to the group. REUTERS/Bobby
Yip

BY/CP

Chinese police detain American follower of the banned Falun Gong
spiritual movement Levi Browde of New York after he and Canadian
follower Jason Loftus (not in picture) staged a protest in Beijing's
Tiananmen Square on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, February 11,
2002. The two unfurled a yellow banner and shouted slogans including
"Falun Gong is good" in Chinese, witnesses said. (BEST QUALITY FROM
SOURCE) REUTERS/Str

ASW/RCS

Every Sunday in a quiet corner of Central Park about a dozen people of many nationalities practice the gentle, graceful movements and breathing exercises of the Falun Gong spiritual group. Though they are thousands of miles away from China, the country that spawned the practice and that now outlaws it, many say they, too, feel the intensity of the Chinese government's suppression. Falun Gong followers participate in a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government in this April 21, 2001, file photo.

JP/HB

Every Sunday in a quiet corner of Central Park about a dozen people of many nationalities practice the gentle, graceful movements and breathing exercises of the Falun Gong spiritual group. Though they are thousands of miles away from China, the country that spawned the practice and that now outlaws it, many say they, too, feel the intensity of the Chinese government's suppression. A Falun Gong follower hands out literature during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government in this April 21, 2001 file photo.

JP/HB

Falun Gong followers participate in a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A New York City policeman looks at a board with pro-Falun Gong information during a march by the group in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A Falun Gong follower hands out literature during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

Falun Gong followers participate in a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A counter-marcher shouts at a Falun Gong follower during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A counter-marcher, carrying a sign with information about a Falun Gong follower that set himself on fire, trails another Falun Gong follower (C) during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A man rips up and throws back litterature that had just been handed to him by a Falun Gong follower (R) during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

A counter-marcher shouts at a Falun Gong follower during a march in New York's Chinatown to commemorate their fellow supporters of the spiritual doctrine whom they say have died at the hands of the Chinese government, April 21, 2001. About 500 Falun Gong followers participated in the two hour march, which also drew a number of counter-marchers who shouted slogans against Falun Gong, which China has banned as an "evil cult." Tuesday will mark the second anniversary of the gathering of about 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in front of Zhongnanhai, Beijing's equivalent of the White House, that led to the practice being banned in China in October 1999.

HB/

Falun Gong followers display photographs they claim are colleagues beaten in mainland China, during a sit-in at the waterfront of Hong Kong's Tsimshatsui shopping district April 17, 2001. Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners staged a peaceful demonstration at two locations in the territory on Tuesday, ahead of a United Nations vote on China's human rights record.

BY/CC