(Minghui.org) Hundreds of practitioners gathered at Edinburgh Place near Hong Kong City Hall on January 28, to celebrate the New Year and send best regards to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.

Video: Hong Kong Practitioners Respectfully Wish Master a Happy Chinese New Year

The event started at 9:00 a.m. with a waist drum performance. Practitioners shared how Falun Dafa has helped them to be healthier people and better citizens. Then young and old sang several songs to express their gratitude towards Falun Dafa and Maser Li.

Falun Dafa practitioners in Hong Kong gathered on January 28, 2017, at Edinburgh Place wishing Master Li a Happy New Year.

Most of the attendees were local practitioners in Hong Kong, but some were immigrants and visitors from mainland China. While speaking of the the great benefits they have received from Falun Dafa, several practitioners were moved to tears.

More People Begin to Learn

Despite the 18-year-long ban in China, more and more people have become interested in learning Falun Dafa. Xuemei, manager for the Hong Kong branch of Tianti Books, said she noticed the number of people who came to purchase Falun Dafa books greatly increased in October last year. Most had heard about the bookstore from materials distributed by practitioners.

Xuemei (right) said more and more people are wanting to learn Falun Dafa.

“A woman once came to buy books, but the bookstore was closed on that day. When she came the following day, she told me she was so eager to learn that she could not wait any longer. As a result, she downloaded the books and began reading them on the evening before. I was so moved by her words,” Xuemei recalled. She said the bookstore also provides 9-day video lectures and it has attracted lots of people.

Helping Chinese Tourists Learn the Facts

Because a large number of Chinese have been influenced the Communist Party's hate propaganda and turned against Falun Dafa, practitioners have been actively reaching out to Chinese tourists at tourist sites and telling them what Falun Dafa really is. Rong, a practitioner volunteer, said that many people are willing to quit the Communist Party after learning how the regime has harmed Chinese during the past several decades. “During a street fair before the New Year, I helped more than 400 people renounce their memberships in the communist organizations,” she said. One tourist greeted her with a big smile, “Falun Dafa is great! Thank you for doing this because the Communist Party is doomed.”

Many Chinese tourists and local residents accepted Falun Dafa materials at a street fair.

Liang Yuzhen, an immigrant from China, said she had been detained and severely tortured back in China for her belief. After filing a criminal complaint to Chinese authorities against former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin for persecuting Falun Dafa, she often went to the street to urge people to sign petitions to support. “Quite a few people told me to keep up and encouraged me. I was so moved,” Ms. Liang said, “I promise to do better in the New Year.”

Ms. Hu, a practitioner who often goes to tourist sites, said that many people are curious to learn learn more about Falun Dafa. “On the day before the Chinese New Year, we gave away thousands of copies of Falun Dafa materials, including hand-made lotus flowers that represent purity and peace.”

“By supporting the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, they are heading toward a bright future,” Ms. Hu continued, “I am so happy for them.”