Why is Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party so adamant in trying to stop the ongoing Shen Yun show? We speak to a spokesman about their potential motivations.
Shen Yun has continued its ongoing success as a touring show around the world, celebrating the cherished history of China through a series of wondrous showcases featuring dance and imagery.
However, not everyone is pleased by it. For the longest time, Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have been trying to shut the production down, through both direct means and third-parties. This includes publications like The New York Times, who have continuously published hurtful pieces about the production.
So why the hatred? Why is an organization out to stop the exploration – and, for that matter, celebration of Chinese culture? For the most part, Falun Gong, who serve as the group behind the show, have been targeted for decades by the CCP, who they see as a “religious movement.” Under Jinping’s rule, this hatred has grown worse and worse.
But doesn’t this hurt Jinping in the long run, especially when it comes to his efforts to rebuild consumption and boost economy within the country?
A spokesman for Shen Yun joins us now to discuss the situation further.
Q&A:
- What do you believe was the “turning point” when it came to the Chinese Communist Party’s hatred towards Shen Yun?
- Do you believe it was working directly with YouTubers and outlets like The New York Times when it comes to generating hate pieces about the show?
- Is the CCP a direct factor in threats against the show, like the recent bomb scare that took place weeks ago?
- Wouldn’t China government benefit more from embracing the show and celebrating its culture, rather than being bitter against its organizers?
- Speaking of the show, how well is it doing in 2025? What other memorable stops do you plan to make as the year goes on?
- Where can we learn more about the beautiful art of Shen Yun, and how it motivates others?
- The official website can be found here. Tickets to shows are also available there for purchase.
FROM SHEN YUN
ABOUT LEVI BROWDE…
Levi Browde serves as the Executive Director with the New York-based Falun Dafa Information Center – an organization dedicated to ending the human rights abuses against people who practice Falun Gong in China.
A career software entrepreneur, Levi’s life changed dramatically in 1999 when his best friend came to the office one morning and announced the Chinese Communist Party had taken away his mother in Beijing to be tortured and “brainwashed.” This marked the beginning of his volunteer work to defend human rights in China. Two years later, Levi himself was detained in a Chinese jail outside Beijing for secretly meeting with Western reporters and protesting on Tiananmen Square.
Over the past 20 years, Browde has been interviewed and quoted by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, CNN, the Associated Press, TIME Magazine, BBC, AFP, and other media outlets. He has spoken about Falun Gong and human rights in China at briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, at the United Nations human rights sessions in Geneva, Switzerland.
Browde studied East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University and is an avid supporter of traditional Chinese culture. He founded several software start-ups, and lives in New York with his wife and two sons.
Samples of Levi on camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS3RS4vJguI
https://tv.faluninfo.net/unmasking-chinas-gestapo-610-office/
https://tv.faluninfo.net/levi-browde-exposes-the-new-york-times-distorted-coverage-of-human-rights/
ABOUT LEESHAI LEMISH…
Leeshai Lemish was born in the United States. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Chinese history from Pomona College, California, and his master’s in international relations from the London School of Economics. He has spent extended periods studying, working, and conducting research throughout East Asia, and has authored articles on Chinese current affairs published in both English and Chinese. He joined Shen Yun Performing Arts when the company was founded in 2006 and has since emceed around 1,500 performances with the company, appearing with Shen Yun at prestigious theaters such as Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center in the U.S., the London Coliseum, Tokyo Opera City, and many other venues around the world.
ABOUT JARED MADSEN…
Jared was one of the first students from Iowa to study in China where he fell in love with Chinese culture. For the past 18 years, Jared has served as MC for Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Samples of Jared on camera:
https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_8c5f163284fe4e9281ac40a7c85f684c/An-Inside-Look-at-Shen-YunE28093And-How-ItE28099s-Defying-the-CCPE28099s-Global-Campaign-to-Cancel-It-?pid=p_DaJ4kSAASRyd&view=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTRDEDglS24
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