Falun Gong says its philosophies and slow-motion meditation exercises aim to promote good health and moral living. It purports to be a spiritual movement.

The Chinese government has been concerned by the group's ability to organize and says it is an "evil" cult controlled by its U.S.-based founder Li Hongzhi and it spreads superstition and malicious fallacies to deceive people.

While Beijing has arrested and imprisoned hundreds of Falun Gong members since the movement was outlawed in 1999, followers continue to protest around the world and in Hong Kong where the sect is still a legally registered society.

The debate surrounding Falun Gong's status as a harmless organization or evil cult continues with the Chinese government remaining implacable.