Debunking Chinese Communist Party Propaganda

Similar to other perpetrators of large-scale human rights abuses, since 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used hate propaganda as a core component of its campaign to wipe out Falun Gong. Taking advantage of its control over Chinese media, the CCP has bombarded citizens with what the Wall Street Journal called an “old, communist-style propaganda war.” The bombardment began on July 22 of 1999, the day Falun Gong was officially banned in China. State-run television immediately launched disinformation marathons, broadcasting alleged “exposés” on the meditation group 24 hours a day.  

Over a decade later, the CCP’s campaign to vilify Falun Gong inside China continues.

What few in the West realize, however, is just how much this misinformation has also spread outside China. It has seeped into the public consciousness in the West via new English editions of Chinese state-run media or sloppy journalism by independent news outlets.  

In particular, the following three claims form the backbone of the CCP’s propaganda against Falun Gong. Their aim is to undermine sympathy for Falun Gong practitioners and justify the inhumane measures the CCP has taken against them. Each one, when scrutinized and held up to independent investigation, is exposed as false and manipulated.

We offer the following brief explanations and references to inform our audiences and counter the pernicious effects of the CCP’s propaganda, lest it deprive the victims of horrible crimes in China of the kind of international support that saves lives.

• Central Government Compound “Besieged”

• 1,400 Alleged Falun Gong-related Deaths

• Self-immolation on Tiananmen Square

In addition to the above three points, explanations of other common misconceptions about Falun Gong and their implications for people in China can be found here and here.