July 2001

[...]

... Leaders like Jiang have other memories on their minds. The Chinese president reportedly sees a parallel between the Falun Gong spiritual movement and the Taiping uprising (1851-1864), [...]. That example helps explain the viciousness with which Jiang has cracked down on the group, which has many followers in the [party' name omitted] Party itself. "Some of China's other leaders don't necessarily agree with the need for such a thorough crackdown," says human-rights activist John Kamm. "Jiang is the one behind the drive to wipe out Falun Gong."

[...]