A fitness movement known as the “Qigong Wave” sweeps China. Millions take up traditional, Tai Chi-like health exercises known as “Qigong”, filling parks across the country by the break of dawn. Some 2,000 different Qigong disciplines are reportedly practised by tens of millions. Books, magazines, and scientific research on Qigong abound.

After a two-year period of trial and observation with private students, Li Hongzhi disseminates Falun Gong to the public on May 13th, 1992. He travels through China for two years, giving 54 talks and seminars on Falun Gong. Classes typically last 8-10 days, two hours per day. Seminars are often arranged by local government-run Qigong organisations. Attendees range from a few hundred to upwards of 6,000 per event.

Falun Gong is officially recognised as a form of Qigong and Li Hongzhi is formally declared a “Master of Qigong” by the Qigong Science Research Association of China, receiving the permit to teach nationwide. In December 1992 at the Asian Health Expo held in Beijing, Li Hongzhi receives the most awards of any Master at the event. A year later in December 1993, Falun Gong receives several awards at the same Health Expo, including awards for “Advancing Frontier Science”, the “Special Gold Award”, and “Most Acclaimed Qigong Master”. This recognition in the Qigong community marks the start of Falun Gong’s rapid growth in China.

The first book teaching the practice, Zhonguo Falungong (中国法轮功, China Falun Gong), is published by Military Yiwen Press, making the practice accessible to a much wider audience. A revised edition is released in December of the same year.

The People's Public Security Daily, a publication under the Ministry of Public Security, runs a story commending Mr Li for his contributions “in promoting the traditional crime-fighting virtues of the Chinese people, in safeguarding social order and security, and in promoting rectitude in society”. In December 1993 Li Hongzhi is awarded a Certificate of Honour from the Jianyi Yongwei Foundation of China, an affiliate institution of the Ministry of Public Security. In April 1994, the Window to Literature and the Arts magazine, a monthly periodical, publishes the first of three feature stories on the practice of Falun Gong. The practice increasingly finds itself in the news, primarily on grounds of its health benefits and the good citizenship it fosters. On May 6th, 1994, Mr Li is declared a “Grandmaster of Qigong,” by the Jilin Province Qigong Science Research Association.

The City of Houston, Texas, declares Mr Li a “Goodwill Ambassador” and an “Honorary Citizen” (link) for his “unselfish public service for the benefit and welfare of mankind”.  These are the first of what would become hundreds of recognitions given to Li and Falun Gong in the United States and throughout the free world (click here for the full list of awards and recognitions).

The first Falun Gong instructional videotape (demonstrating the practice’s exercises and meditation) is published under the auspices of Beijing Television Art Centre Publishing House.

The last Falun Gong public teaching is given in China, taking place in the northeastern city of Dalian. Some 6,600 people attend.

Zhuan Falun (转法轮), the complete teachings of Falun Gong and focal book of the practice, is published by Radio & Television Broadcasting Press of China. A publication ceremony, held on January 4th, takes place in an auditorium of the Ministry of Public Security.

Mr Li Hongzhi begins teaching Falun Gong abroad, starting with a talk given in Paris at the Chinese Embassy, initiated at the invitation of China’s ambassador to France. A full seven-day class begins that evening in Paris, followed by a second series in May in Sweden.

Zhuan Falun is listed in January, March, and April as a bestseller by Beijing Youth Daily.

As Falun Gong rapidly becomes more popular, early signs of state suppression appear. Shortly after Zhuan Falun was listed as a bestseller, Falun Gong books were banned from publication by a July 24th internal order from the China News Publishing Bureau, an entity under the Ministry of Propaganda. The document accuses Falun Gong of “spreading superstition”. In the same year Li Hongzhi moves to the United States.