I endured violent beatings and insults from CCP prison guards and prisoners. “I was sentenced to three years in the CCP’s illegal labor camp, and spent four years in prison,” Liu said. “I lost my freedom and the environment for creation and studying and writing. Liu is also a practitioner of Falun Dafa, a spiritual discipline based in the Buddhist tradition, which was outlawed by the Chinese Communist Party on July 20, 1999. He was a member of the Chinese Calligrapher Association and held many successful and well-received calligraphy exhibitions throughout China. From age 3, he showed a gift for drawing, painting, sculpture-and calligraphy. In studying the greats, such as ancient philosopher-rulers-Kangxi, Taizong-and the styles of many dynasties, Liu has developed his own style and scripts. Born in China to illiterate parents, Liu Xitong was the only one of five children who could write.
