Chinese Immigrants Say They Experienced True Freedom and Relief After Quitting the CCP

Chinese Immigrants Say They Experienced True Freedom and Relief After Quitting the CCP
Twenty-four Chinese receive certificates of withdrawal from the Chinese Communist Party and its associated organizations, known as the "three withdrawal," at a rally to commemorate the 25th anniversary of "4.25 Appeal" in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. Shi Ping/The Epoch Times
Mary Hong
Updated:
0:00

Twenty-four courageous Chinese who withdrew from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its associated organizations, Youth League and Young Pioneers, known as the “three withdrawals,” recently joined a parade and assembly in New York, marking the 25th anniversary of a peaceful appeal on April 25, 1999, in Beijing.

Mostly new immigrants to the United States, they expressed their joy of freedom and genuine relief, having shed fear and broken free from constraints by denouncing the CCP.

The event, known as the “4·25 Appeal,” was held in Flushing, New York, a hub for the Chinese community, by Falun Gong practitioners to commemorate a historical event 25 years ago when thousands of Falun Gong practitioners gathered quietly in Beijing to ask for the release of adherents who had been beaten and detained in a nearby city and raised their concerns with the ongoing harassment of Falun Gong at the hands of a few high-ranking officials.

Fear Dissipated After The Parade

Zhang Xiong, a new immigrant, received a certificate after renouncing his membership in the Communist Youth League. He took to the stage and explained that it required considerable courage for him to join the parade and address the audience.
Zhang Xiong, a new immigrant, renounces the Chinese Communist Party, and gives a speech at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. (Dai Bing/The Epoch Times)
Zhang Xiong, a new immigrant, renounces the Chinese Communist Party, and gives a speech at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. Dai Bing/The Epoch Times

“To be honest, I was quite nervous when I first arrived, but after joining the parade, I’ve been smiling non-stop and feeling really good, very pleased,” he said. “I think it’s the warmth of the camaraderie among Falun Gong adherents that is completely opposite to the CCP propaganda. I realized that the CCP is a demon. I’m very happy to be with a group of kind-hearted people.”

Mr. Zhang said that humans inherently entail the freedom to believe, yet the CCP can’t tolerate Falun Gong, a belief embraced in over 100 countries globally. “Why is this so?” He remarked, “I sense that the CCP’s days are numbered.”

‘Fortunate to Have Left China’

Sun Quan'an has only immigrated to the United States for two months. After learning that many people received certificates for quitting the CCP, he was anxious to receive one for himself.
Sun Quan'an is anxious to receive a certificate for quitting the Chinese Communist Party and its associated organizations, at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. (Shi Ping/The Epoch Times)
Sun Quan'an is anxious to receive a certificate for quitting the Chinese Communist Party and its associated organizations, at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. Shi Ping/The Epoch Times

He said that this parade was the first time he learned the truth about Falun Gong, and he learned that everything the CCP said was false.

“It’s truly astounding, completely reshaping my perception. Back in China, I had no clue,” he remarked, reflecting on the false propaganda touted by the regime, “Falun Gong is nothing like what’s portrayed inside China! It’s really unfathomable. It appears that for all these years in China, we’ve been manipulated. Thankfully, I’ve made it out.”

Mr. Sun said that despite the Chinese people enduring considerable hardships, many still perceive life positively due to the CCP’s deep-seated indoctrination. “Therefore, I consider myself fortunate to have left China,” he said.

He indicated that when he realized how local government workers had honored Falun Gong, “I felt compelled to delve deeper into it.”

Freedom After ‘Three Withdrawals’

Wang Binbin, an engineer who came to the United States six months ago, renounced the CCP at the end of last year. He joined the Flushing event to show his support for the “4·25 Appeal” commemoration.
Wang Binbin expresses the sense of real freedom and liberation after quitting the Chinese Communist Party and its associated organizations, at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. (Shi Ping/The Epoch Times)
Wang Binbin expresses the sense of real freedom and liberation after quitting the Chinese Communist Party and its associated organizations, at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful "4.25 Appeal," in Flushing, New York, on April 21, 2024. Shi Ping/The Epoch Times

He expressed a sense of true freedom and genuine relief after quitting the party.

“It feels great, like breaking free from long-term confinement,” he expressed. “I’m no longer holding back. It seems like something has restrained me, and I lost the courage to voice my thoughts. But now, I genuinely feel free. I can speak my mind freely, and I have faith in the righteousness of our cause.”

He mentioned a relative who also practices Falun Gong, who often imparted to him the principles of Falun Gong, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” from which he feels immensely enriched when he tries to observe his life according to the principles.

“I firmly believe that as long as you nurture a compassionate heart, the divine will guide you, leading to good fortune,” he expressed. “For when you persistently refine yourself with righteous principles, you will inevitably become a better person.”

Shi Ping contributed to this report.
Mary Hong
Mary Hong
Author
Mary Hong is a NTD reporter based in Taiwan. She covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Mary primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."
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