The leader of the Chinese Falun Gong sect has called on international support for his group as it confronts China's ban on the organisation. In a commique left at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, sect leader Li Hongzhi called on all governments, international organisations and people of goodwill to extend their support and assistance in order to resolve the present crisis. The Chinese authorities banned the quasi-religous sect on Thursday following widespread protests against the arrest of its leaders. State television said the sect had been outlawed because it was involved in illegal activities and was jeopardising social stability.
