‘No Evidence’ Backs FLG Sujiatan Accusations

When shocking reports first emerged that China was mass-harvesting the organs of thousands Falun Gong members, the U.S. government called on China to allow international inspection of the facility in question. China wisely decided to do just that — though not quite immediately — and embassy staffers who visited the location have found the evidence for the reports lacking.

Officers and staff from our embassy in Beijing and consulate in Shenyang have visited the area and the specific site mentioned in these reports on two separate occasions,” McCormack said.

“In these visits the officers were allowed to tour the entire facility and grounds and found no evidence that the site is being used for any function other than as a normal public hospital.”

The timing, coinciding with Hu Jintao’s visit certainly played a role. First, Falun Gong had a motive to make the charge at this time. Second, China urgently needed to clear the air before Bush and Hu met. Third — and this is the part that gives some pause — the embassy had a very powerful motive to find the evidence lacking. That said, the evidence at this point doesn’t support the specific charges at Sujiatan. It’s a hit for the credibility of the Epoch Times, which was trying to fill a badly needed role as an independent newspaper that feels free to challenge the Chinese government.

And of course, plenty of credible evidence supports accusations of Chinese persecution of the Falun Gong, and credible evidence also supports accusations that the Chinese government harvests executed prisoners’ organs.