Year of the Horse: Chinese Elites Extend New Year Greetings to Falun Gong Founder Master Li

A Chinese human rights lawyer wishing Master Li a Happy New Year! (Provided by interviewee)

[People News] As the 2026 Bingwu Year of the Horse Lunar New Year arrives, communities around the world are immersed in the joyful atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. At this hopeful moment, leading elites from the fields of law, business, media, and national defense academia have spoken out one after another, extending their most sincere New Year greetings to Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Gong, and to all practitioners.

Those interviewed highly praised the profound impact of the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” advocated by Mr. Li Hongzhi in elevating personal character, rebuilding social conscience, and resisting authoritarian oppression. They believe that Master Li has brought positive change and hope for civilization to the world, and they also deeply admire the resilience demonstrated by Falun Gong practitioners during long-term persecution.

Lawyers: “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” Are the Cornerstones of Rebuilding Social Conscience and Civilization

Former Beijing lawyer Lai Jianping. (Provided by interviewee)

Former Beijing lawyer Lai Jianping, upon entering the 2026 Year of the Horse, expressed special respect to Mr. Li Hongzhi and all Falun Gong practitioners. He offered his wishes: “To Mr. Li Hongzhi and to all Falun Gong practitioners, compatriots and colleagues, I extend holiday greetings. May everyone in the Year of the Horse achieve their wishes, enjoy health, peace, and happiness.”

In the interview, Lawyer Lai analyzed in depth the social significance of Falun Gong. He believes Falun Gong is a belief system created by Chinese people themselves, one that accords with human nature and aligns with the direction of modern civilization.

He emphasized that this set of principles holds far-reaching progressive significance in reforming faith, elevating values, improving social ethos, and inspiring people to resist authoritarianism.

He particularly mentioned that the “resilient will and perseverance” shown by Falun Gong practitioners over the past two to three decades under brutal persecution represent a model of moral courage in confronting authoritarianism through faith, and are “worthy of learning and emulating by the Chinese people.”

In his view, anyone possessing common sense about universal values would express gratitude for the unique contributions Falun Gong has made to social culture.

Shanghai-born lawyer Wu Shaoping, now residing in the United States, extended New Year greetings on behalf of the “Overseas Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Alliance,” wishing everyone “prosperous business and flourishing careers in the Year of the Horse,” and at the same time “respectfully wishing Mr. Li Hongzhi a Happy New Year, good health, and every success.”

Former mainland Chinese lawyer Wu Shaoping said: “I respectfully wish Master Li Hongzhi a Happy New Year and all the best. I have long wanted to find an opportunity to express my greetings, admiration, and respect for Master Li!” (Provided by Wu Shaoping)

Lawyer Wu shared his understanding of the spiritual core of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance”: “Truthfulness” means honestly facing oneself and the world, and having the courage to “expose the CCP’s falsehoods and ugliness”; “Compassion” is the fundamental quality in dealing with others; and “Forbearance” is not mere retreat, but the will to “uphold one’s faith and not give up” even in harsh environments.

He stressed that currently “the regime that engages in the most fabrication is the CCP,” and expressed concern that the CCP’s “red culture” has led to moral collapse and the “breakdown of rites and music.”

Therefore, he believes that “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” will bring “the greatest benefit” to social reconstruction, cultural restoration, and moral repair after the CCP regime collapses in the future.

Scholar: Gaining Insight Into the Spirit of “Altruism” Through Nine Commentaries

Dr. Shen Ming-shih, Associate Professor at Tamkang University’s Graduate Institute of Strategic Studies. (Provided by Shen Ming-shih)

Dr. Shen Ming-shih, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, also extended New Year greetings to Master Li in the 2026 Bingwu Year. He sincerely wished “Master Li Hongzhi good health and every success in the coming year. Especially, may more people be inspired by you to change the world and lead it toward the realm of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.’”

Dr. Shen shared his reflections on reading Master Li’s works, stating that the philosophical thinking within them prompts reflection on the meaning of life: “Life is not only about fame and wealth… what is more important is ‘altruism,’ serving others, even sacrificing for others.” He believes that this concept of altruism is the primary driving force enabling people to survive in dark times.

As an expert on Taiwan’s national defense and CCP issues, Dr. Shen spoke highly of the book Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. He frankly stated: “In Taiwan’s past research on the Communist Party, none has been as in-depth as Nine Commentaries.”

He said that Nine Commentaries succinctly and profoundly exposes the lies and violent nature of the Communist Party, which is precisely the enlightenment that Taiwanese society—currently influenced by united front tactics and lacking understanding of the CCP’s true nature—most urgently needs.

On the cultural level, Dr. Shen greatly praised Shen Yun Performing Arts. He observed that although Taiwan maintains good traditional Chinese culture, it has also been influenced by modern multiculturalism; if one seeks “classic or very traditional Chinese culture,” these precious elements can be found in Shen Yun’s performances. He sighed that much of the world’s beauty has been facilitated by Master Li, and beneficiaries should feel gratitude.

Businesspeople and Media Figures: Shen Yun Art Awakens Cultural Pride

Shanghai-born businessman and Christian Wang Yan, now living in the United States, extended New Year greetings to Mr. Li Hongzhi and all Falun Gong practitioners on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

He sincerely admires Master Li for promoting traditional Chinese culture and stated that “what people fear most is having no faith.” He supports Falun Gong’s efforts to spread the truth and promote kindness.

Mr. Wang emotionally mentioned that under the CCP’s long-term deception, he had never seen such profound and extensive Chinese culture until he watched Shen Yun’s performance, which deeply moved him. He thanked Master Li for presenting to the world these national treasures that, under CCP rule, “you are not allowed to know.”

Shi Yuge, Vice Chairman of the Eastern U.S. branch of the China Democracy Party, speaking at a rally on December 3, 2019. (Lin Leyu / The Dajiyuan)

Shi Yuge, a former mainland media professional and film producer, wished all Falun Gong members “peace and blessings in the coming year,” and especially wished “Master Li Hongzhi good health.”

At the same time, he expressed hope that the Falun Gong community in the coming year will have even greater vigor in opposing tyranny, and he admires Master Li for having “used his own ability over many years to open a new path for the world,” pointing out a direction for world peace and opposition to dictatorship.

Liu Ao, a former executive of a generic pharmaceutical company, also offered his New Year wishes: “May all Falun Gong disciples worldwide and Master Li be safe, healthy, and joyful in the new year.”

He revealed in the interview that Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party was his “enlightenment reading,” believing that the book exposes the CCP’s “most fundamental evil” and helps people understand the preciousness of truth and goodness.

Liu Ao stated that everyone should be grateful for Master Li’s transmission of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance: “Truth” enables the public to understand the facts, “Compassion” allows people to feel warmth, and “Forbearance” represents the perseverance of “persistently doing such good deeds over many years.”

He believes people will feel gratitude for the grace of Master Li in spreading Dafa.

Those interviewed generally believe that in a chaotic world, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” not only elevates personal morality but also serves as an important force for preserving tradition, resisting tyranny, and guiding humanity back to conscience. At this moment of renewal, people from all sectors of society express their deepest gratitude and blessings for the hope and profound influence brought by Mr. Li Hongzhi.

(Reported by Dajiyuan reporters Cheng Mulan and Chang Chun)
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