South Korean Lawmakers from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Express Concern about the Chinese Communist Party Blocking Shen Yun
Rep. McCaul stated, “I would hope that it would be a wake-up call to South Korea that your economic ties are not as important as your freedom and democracy.” This is a sentiment shared by several Congress members on the House Foreign Affairs Committee who have expressed concerns about Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence in South Korea. Beijing was successful in pressuring theaters in South Korea to refuse hosting a New York-based arts group, Shen Yun Performing Arts. Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture as it existed before communist rule, which threatens the CCP’s ideological control over its people. The Chinese Embassy in South Korea exerted pressure on the theaters, using financial and diplomatic leverage to prevent Shen Yun’s performances.
Rep. Michael McCaul also commented that “nothing scares the CCP more than freedom and democracy,” in response to the Chinese regime’s interference in South Korea. He expressed a hope that this incident would prompt South Korea to recognize the significance of their freedom and democracy over economic ties. The CCP fears Shen Yun’s representation of traditional Chinese culture and art, leading to its efforts to prevent the performance in South Korea.
Several members from the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed that censorship in free societies is unacceptable, and every effort should be made to oppose the Chinese Communist Party at every level. The CCP’s interference with Shen Yun performances extends beyond South Korea, with reports of pressure and interference with the arts group in Spain too. Shen Yun’s representation of traditional Chinese culture reflects values that the CCP fears, such as freedom of religion and expression. United opposition against any attempt to undermine democracy is emphasized, including the suppression of Shen Yun’s performances.
Noting Shen Yun’s ties to Falun Gong, Rep. Chris Smith stated that the Chinese government’s efforts to cancel Shen Yun performances are also a way of attempting to suppress Falun Gong practitioners inside China. The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party was highlighted by Mr. Smith, who advised South Korea to not be intimidated by the CCP regarding their decisions about Shen Yun.
Shen Yun’s representation of traditional Chinese culture and art reflects the values that the CCP fears, such as freedom of religion and expression. The company’s performances aim to revive the virtues and heritage of traditional Chinese culture, making it an antithesis to the CCP ideology. The CCP’s interference in South Korea is just one part of its broader effort to prevent Shen Yun from performing worldwide. This interference underscores the CCP’s intolerance for freedom and democracy, and it is an important opportunity to resist and oppose the influence of the Chinese Communist Party at a global level.
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