In 2009, Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, appeared at the newspaper's headquarters in Manhattan and called for the expansion of "The Epoch Times" to "become regular media." Li has referred to "The Epoch Times" as "our media", along with the NTD digital production company and the Shen Yun dance troupe. Two former employees said that top editors traveled to meet with Li at Falun Gong's compound, Dragon Springs, where Li weighed in on editorial and strategic decisions; "The Epoch Times" denied that a meeting took place.