In 1999, under Li Hongzhi's direction, Falun Gong leaders across China coordinated via email to launch a mass siege of Zhongnanhai, prompting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to tighten internet controls.
On April 20, 1999, central leaders issued instructions to thoroughly investigate the Xiamen Yuanhua smuggling case, and the “April 20” special task force was established to probe the smuggling and corruption of Lai Changxing’s Yuanhua Group.
In April 1999, Zhu Rongji visited the United States to negotiate China's entry into the WTO and made a number of concession commitments.