People's Daily demands elimination of 'cult'

The Chinese Communist Party newspaper, People's Daily, has called for the complete elimination of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

An editorial quoted by the New China news agency said the process of reform, opening up and modernisation in China would be compromised if the Falun Gong cancer was not removed.

It reported widespread efforts to win over Falun Gong followers by persuasion and education, but warned that it would be a long-term struggle.

The Chinese authorities have arrested hundreds Falun Gong adherents, some of whom human rights groups allege have been tortured and killed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service