In a rare televised appearance, Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi said Wednesday that Beijing cracked down on the meditation group because government leaders envied its popularity.
China replied by calling Li a dangerous criminal whose Falun Gong "cult" must be stopped.
Mainland China outlawed Falun Gong in 1999 as a threat to communist rule, but Li said the group -- which has attracted millions of followers -- has never been interested in challenging the government.
"The Chinese leaders couldn't tolerate so many people practicing Falun Gong," Li said in an interview with a New York-based television station that apparently has close ties to Falun Gong. "It's a form of jealousy. This jealousy led to the oppression."
Speaking calmly and eloquently, Li also criticized former President Jiang Zemin, saying "the most evil person in China" ordered Beijing's campaign against Falun Gong.
"The whole world can see his stupidity, his cruelty," Li said, though he did not mention Jiang by name.
Falun Gong says hundreds of its mainland followers have been killed in police custody. China has denied abuse.
Beijing responded to Li's comments with strong language of its own.
"Falun Gong is a cult," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement in response to questions from The Associated Press. "Li Hongzhi is the head of the cult, and he is a criminal who is wanted by Chinese public security. The evil theories that Li Hongzhi is disseminating lead to self-damage and suicide."
Beijing accused Falun Gong of causing "serious damage to Chinese society" and said the government's "legal ban on Falun Gong is intended to protect the basic human rights and freedom of the Chinese system and to uphold its constitution and laws."
Chinese state media did not carry footage of Li. Satellite dishes are outlawed in mainland China, but nonetheless are owned by millions of people. Since Li's appearance was carried by satellite TV, it likely was seen in mainland China, if only in southern areas near Hong Kong.
The 52-year-old Li, a former mainland grain bureau clerk, lives in the United States and seldom appears in public.
Li was interviewed on the New Tang Dynasty Television station, based in New York, in a broadcast monitored in Hong Kong via satellite by a small group of Falun Gong followers. They called the show inspirational.
"I'm very happy to see my teacher. He looks very benevolent," said Yeung Sau-ling, who is in her 40s and has practiced Falun Gong for more than four years.
"Our teacher has spoken out for all of us. We shouldn't be oppressed," said a tearful practitioner who identified herself only by her surname, Liu.
Hong Kong-based Falun Gong spokesman Kan Hung-cheung said the New Tang Dynasty station is independent. But some Falun Gong followers are affiliated with it, and a message on the station's Web site says "the issue of Falun Gong will help to unite the Chinese people all over the world with a bond of peace and freedom."
Li insisted his teachings -- which draw from Buddhism, Taoism and his own doctrines -- are benign.
"I walked the righteous path and people responded positively," Li said. He said Falun Gong has no big interest in politics.
"We take power very lightly," Li said. "We never wanted to seize power from the Communist government. We just wanted to keep practicing according to our spiritual beliefs."
Although Beijing is trying to stamp out Falun Gong, the group remains legal in Hong Kong, a former British colony that enjoys Western-style freedoms under Chinese rule.
Falun Gong followers in Hong Kong are often seen performing their slow-motion exercises at protests against China's suppression.