Zhang Hongbao

Infobox Person
name = Zhang Hongbao
zh-c|c=張宏堡


image_size = 120px
caption = Zhang Hongbao
birth_date = January 5, 1954
birth_place = Harbin, China
death_date = July 31, 2006
death_place = Arizona, USA
other_names =
known_for = Founder of Zhong Gong
occupation = Businessman

Zhang Hongbao (张宏宝), born January 5, 1954 in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,Beijing Public Security Bureau, [http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/sgxx/sggg/sgxw/t34848.htm Zhang Hongbao Is a Criminal Suspect in China] , Chinese Embassy in the United States, July 25, 2000] was the founder and spiritual leader of Zhong Gong, which is based on "qigong". He was also a wealthy businessman, and a self-proclaimed leader of the chinese democracy movement.

He died in a motor vehicle accident in Arizona in July 2006. After his death, no significant activity by Zhong Gong has been reported.

Biography

Early life

Zhang came from Harbin, and had spent part of his youth during the Cultural Revolution in a state farm in Heilongjiang. [http://chinamatters.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html World of Shadows] , "China Matters", July 26, 2006, Retrieved 2007-10-25 ] In 1987, he founded Zhong Gong, [Mike Chinoy, [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/east/08/24/china.dissident/index.html Chinese sect leader waits for word on asylum in U.S.] , "CNN", August 25, 2000] a movement which claimed 34 million followers, 120,000 employees, 30 life cultivation bases, and 100,000 “branches” at its peak.

Zhang had diverse business interests, although his empire was centered on the Kylin Group, which was made up of some 60 companies headquartered in Tianjin. The group reportedly employed 100,000 workers, mostly in qigong-related education, publication and health-product ventures.Philip Cunningham, [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?eo20001230a1.htm Falling victim to U.S.-Chinese diplomacy] , "The Japan Times", Dec. 30, 2000]

Unlike Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Gong, who disavowed political ambition, Zhang Hongbao positively embraced it.John Kusumi, [http://www.chinasupport.net/buzz09100601.htm Zhang Hongbao, qi gong master, Chinese dissident, and lightning rod for controversy dies at age 52] , "China Support Network", September 10, 2006]

A close disciple defected from the group and wrote a scathing exposé alleging that Zhang was a fraud and had illicit sex with followers. Sima Nan alleges that Zhang is a rapist and may even be responsible for the murder of some former followers.Craig S. Smith, [http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/073100china-leader.html Asylum Plea by Chinese Sect's Leader Perplexes the U.S.] , "New York Times", July 31, 2000] The Chinese Government issued a warrant for his arrest on June 7, 2000, and a statement calling for his return to face four counts of rape between 1990 and 1991, and two counts of using forged travel documents between 1993 and 1994. The 10 year old rape charge is difficult to verify, and one observer notes that over 40 Chinese dissidents have been charged with sexual crimes in 1999/2000, a way China neutralises opponents of the regime without raising human-rights concerns.

Life in the United States

Zhang disappeared from public view in 1995 in light of increased criticism of Zong Gong. Zhang together with his associate and companion, Yan Qingxin, arrived in the American protectorate of Guam in February 2000 without a visa, and applied for political asylum in the United States. Zhang's application was supported by Trent Lott and Jesse Helms, was granted protection residence by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeal in June 2001, reversing a previous ruling. [Reuters, [http://www.apologeticsindex.org/news1/an010615-08.html U.S. Grants Asylum to Banned China Sect Leader] , "Apologetics Index", June 15, 2001]

Zhang was arrested in March 2003 at his Pasadena mansion in connection with allegations made by his housekeeper, He Nanfang. Zhang was charged with four felonies, including kidnapping assault and false imprisonment with a deadly weapon. [AP, [http://www.religionnewsblog.com/3207/exiled-leader-of-chinese-spiritual-movement-charged-in-beating Exiled leader of Chinese spiritual movement charged in beating] , "Religion News Blog", May 5, 2003] . If convicted, Zhang would lose his protection status, and be expelled from USA.

In April, the China Federation Foundation (CFF) was founded with money from Zhang, and led by a dissident named Peng Ming. This group wanted to form an alternative government for China through the violent overthrow of the Communist government.Lev Navrozov, [http://chinaview.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/zhang-hongbaos-accident-in-us-after-publishing-beijings-secrets/ Zhang Hongbao’s ‘accident’ in U.S. after publishing Beijing’s secrets] , "Chinaview", September 29th, 2006] . Zhang claimed that he planned this for many years, not for creating conditions for formal Political Asylum to avoid being expelled if convicted.

In what may be a power struggle within the democratic China movement, Zhang subsequently fell out with other dissidents, including Yan Qingxin, his domestic partner for 12 years. Until September 2001, Yan was Zhong Gong’s first lieutenant and "helped build the organization into a powerful entity that made billions of dollars". Yan filed a lawsuit on June 26 in Pasadena Superior Court accusing Zhang of assault, battery and false imprisonment, [http://www.religionnewsblog.com/3896/lawsuit-added-against-zhang Experts say suits may hinder democracy] , "Pasadena Star-News", Aug. 1, 2003] and asked for damages of US$23 million. Yan's sister, Qi Zhang, also a Chinese dissident, filed a suit in Pasadena in July 2003, accusing Zhang of crimes including racketeering and slander. In total, from 2003 to 2005, Zhang was hit by an avalanche of 20 - 40 civil lawsuits with accusations from other plaintiffs. The arrest of Zhang led to division in the democracy movement..

In the end, the felony charges in the He Nanfang case were reduced to one charge of battery, a misdemeanor, to which Zhang pled no contest on April 22, 2005. On February 28, 2006, Zhang won a criminal case, and soon other lawsuits against him were lost or were successively withdrawn. Only one civil case and a labor compensation case remained.Wen Hua, [http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-9-8/45723.html Possibly Murdered Qigong Master Disclosed CCP Military Secrets] , "Epoch Times", September 08, 2006]

Death

He had become a non-person the mainstream Western media. Zhang's death, in a car accident" in the United States at the age of 52, was a non-event which went unreported. At a highway intersection in northern Arizona, his car was crushed by tractor-trailer truck travelling towards it at 60 miles per hour on July 31, 2006.. Both he and his female driver, who was also his secretary, died.

According to police report, the accident was purely the fault of the driver, and the tractor-trailier driver should not be responsible for the accident.

After Zhang’s death, due to the internal friction plus the loss of the attraction to his supernatural power, Zhong Gong almost disappeared from the public.

References

External links

* [http://www.tianhuaculture.net/eng/b1.html Tian Hua Culture (Official Zhong Gong website)]