DFAT Unresponsive on Whether Major Human Rights Issue Addressed with Beijing
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Wong did not address the issue of Falun Gong during his visit with the CCP.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia was unable to confirm whether the country’s foreign minister specifically discussed the severe persecution of Falun Gong with Beijing’s top diplomat during his recent visit.
Beijing’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Canberra and Sydney recently, meeting with various Australian officials. Human rights rallies greeted Wang, drawing attention to the systematic abuses against Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Falun Gong practitioners in China.
The visit by the foreign minister is seen as part of the efforts to normalize relations between Australia and China, which have been strained since 2018 due to various controversies.
Following a change in government in May 2022, the Labor government has been working to improve relations with Beijing.
During his visit, Wang met with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Wong discussed various issues with Wang, including trade, tensions in the South China Sea, and human rights concerns.
Wong also raised concerns about issues in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. The Australian government has expressed concerns about religious and other minorities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to advocate for human rights.
Efforts to address the Falun Gong issue during the Strategic Dialogue were not directly confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
John Deller, from Australia’s Falun Dafa Association, highlighted the CCP’s reluctance to address concerns raised in private, emphasizing the importance of public condemnation of human rights abuses.
Falun Gong, a peaceful meditation practice, has faced severe persecution in China due to its popularity threatening the ruling party. Millions of practitioners have been targeted, detained, tortured, or killed for their beliefs.
The CCP continues to propagate propaganda against Falun Gong while pressuring overseas entities to align with its narrative.
Practitioners in Western countries also face external interference and pressure.
