Life abroad Li Hongzhi

li hongzhi (right) receiving proclamation, in 1999.

in 1995, li declared had finished teaching falun gong in china, , began spreading practice abroad. first stop in march 1995 chinese embassy in paris, france, had been invited teach practice. followed seminars in sweden. between 1995 , 1999, li gave lectures in united states, canada, australia, new zealand, germany, switzerland, , singapore. falun gong associations , clubs began appearing in europe, north america , australia, activities centered on university campuses.

in 1996, city of houston named li honorary citizen , goodwill ambassador unselfish public service benefit , welfare of mankind .

on 25 april 1999, 10,000 falun gong practitioners gathered near central appeals office demand end escalating harassment against movement, , request release of tianjin practitioners. according benjamin penny, practitioners sought redress leadership of country going them and, albeit quietly , politely, making clear not treated shabbily.

after event, li received more measures of recognition north american municipalities. in may 1999, li welcomed toronto greetings mayor of toronto , lieutenant governor of ontario, , in 2 months followed received recognition cities of chicago , san jose.

li hongzhi moved united states in 1996 wife , daughter, , in 1998 became u.s. permanent resident, settling in new york.

on 29 july 1999, after falun gong banned, ministry of public security of china levelled series of charges against li, including charge of disturbing public order , issued circular indicating status being wanted , pressing arrest. @ time, li hongzhi living in united states. chinese government s request interpol arrest rejected on grounds request matter of political or religious character , lacked information on ordinary law crime have committed chinese government revoked passport, preventing him travelling internationally.

by april 2001, li hongzhi had received on 340 awards , proclamations australia, canada, china (before crackdown), japan, russia, , u.s. in recognition of extraordinary contributions people s spiritual , physical health, , freedom of belief in world. these include certificates of recognition several governmental bodies in united states – including honorary citizenship awarded state of georgia , city of atlanta. on 14 march 2001, freedom house bestowed li hongzhi , falun gong international religious freedom award advancement of religious , spiritual freedom @ ceremony in united states senate. in same year, li ranked powerful communicator in asia asiaweek magazine power inspire, mobilize people , spook beijing . nominated 2001 sakharov prize on 25 members of european parliament, nominated nobel peace prize in 2000 , 2001, , in 2013 ranked foreign policy magazine 1 of 500 powerful people in world.