Which strategy has the Chinese government used to respond to the Falun Gong movement?

The Chinese government's response to the Falun Gong movement has primarily involved a crackdown on the movement and its materials. This response emerged in July 1999 when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a campaign to suppress Falun Gong, which it viewed as a significant challenge to its authority and social stability.

The government has not only prohibited the practice of Falun Gong but also engaged in extensive propaganda campaigns aimed at discrediting the movement and portraying it as a dangerous cult. This includes restricting the dissemination of Falun Gong's teachings, detaining practitioners, and conducting forced reeducation programs. The crackdown has involved both legal measures and public relations strategies to delegitimize the movement within Chinese society.

The strategies employed have been aggressive and widespread, targeting not just individuals who practice Falun Gong, but also the dissemination of its literature and online presence, thereby attempting to eliminate its influence. This approach reflects the Chinese government's broader strategy of maintaining control over religious and social practices that it perceives as a threat to its rule.