BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Xinhua News Agency published
a signed article by Ke Xie on Wednesday denouncing claims peddled 
by the Falun Gong cult leader Li Hongzhi in lectures he gave 
recently in North America.
   Li said the earth has exploded twice in the past and his 
supreme master was held responsible for these explosions. Li also 
said there will be a third explosion for which Li himself will be 
responsible, but because of his efforts he has managed to postpone
this one for another 30 years.
  Scientists ridicule this statement as it is widely accepted that
the earth's core consists of high-temperature magma, or a molten 
rock, which does not be explode.
   Ke also refutes Li's claim that the planet earth has existed 
for anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 billion years and says it shows that 
Li's claims lack substance and betrays his ignorance. It is 
scientifically accepted that the earth was formed about 4.6 
billion years ago.
   Moreover, Li said that his master has met beings from other 
planets. Despite all efforts, however, life has not ever been 
found on any other planet except on earth, Ke's article says.   
Enditem