{"id":2614147,"date":"2026-06-15T08:49:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-shen-yun-artists-triumph-over-communist-chinese-oppression\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T08:54:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:54:30","slug":"how-shen-yun-artists-triumph-over-communist-chinese-oppression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-shen-yun-artists-triumph-over-communist-chinese-oppression\/","title":{"rendered":"How Shen Yun Artists Triumph Over CCP Oppression"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhow-shen-yun-artists-triumph-over-communist-chinese-oppression%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2614147&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the recent efforts by the Chinese government to suppress Shen Yun, a cultural performance group showcasing customary Chinese music and dance, due to its connections with Falun Gong and its portrayal of Chinese history. In the past months, performances in Seoul and Toronto were canceled under pressure and threats linked to Chinese authorities. Shen Yun has faced over 150 threats worldwide in two years,including bomb threats leading to evacuations at prominent venues like the Kennedy Center.A new documentary, &#8220;Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun,&#8221; directed by Fiona Young, explores the CCP\u2019s relentless campaign to silence the group and highlights the resilience of its performers, many of whom have experienced persecution firsthand. the documentary also addresses allegations of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-government-flags-more-than-500-scientists-in-u-s-that-might-be-compromised-by-communist-china\/\" title=\"U.S. Government Flags More Than 500 Scientists In U.S. That Might Be Compromised By Communist ...\">exploitative practices<\/a> and abuse within Shen Yun, which the organization denies, asserting these claims are false or politically motivated. The film features personal stories of performers and critiques efforts by media outlets like The New York Times to scrutinize Shen Yun, though it faces some limitations and omissions. the documentary underscores the importance of artistic and religious freedom in the face of transnational repression, framing Shen Yun&#8217;s mission as a stand against authoritarian interference in cultural expression.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Last month, intense pressure from the Chinese embassy in Seoul led South Korea\u2019s KBS Hall to <a href=\"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2016\/05\/korea-cancels-shen-yun-show-pressure-beijing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cancel<\/a> four performances of Shen Yun, an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-house-republicans-ask-biden-administration-why-its-not-sanctioning-north-korea-and-china\/\" title=\"Exclusive: House Republicans Ask Biden Administration Why It&#039;s Not Sanctioning North Korea and ...\">artistic performance<\/a> of traditional Chinese music and dance. The communist government despises China\u2019s pre-Communist history and traditions.  <\/p>\n<p>This incident followed closely after the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ctvnews.ca\/toronto\/article\/remaining-shows-in-shen-yuns-run-at-torontos-four-seasons-centre-cancelled-amid-escalating-threats-presenter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scratched<\/a> six shows due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/france-mobilizes-7000-troops-following-stabbing-described-as-barbaric-islamist-terrorism\/\" title=\"France deploys 7,000 troops after &#039;barbaric Islamist terrorism&#039; stabbing.\">anonymous bomb threats<\/a> associated with a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence operation. These events reflect a disturbing trend: Shen Yun has reported more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shenyun.org\/news\/view\/article\/e\/PyY0dKGCzHE\/artistic-freedom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">150<\/a> similar threats worldwide in the past two years, including a bomb threat in 2025 that resulted in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonpublicmedia.org\/npr\/2025\/02\/20\/nx-s1-5304273\/kennedy-center-evacuates-due-to-bomb-threat-targeting-shen-yun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">evacuation<\/a> of Washington, D.C.\u2019s Kennedy Center. <\/p>\n<p>The new documentary <a href=\"https:\/\/unbrokenshenyunmovie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun<\/em><\/a>  is directed by Fiona Young and will premiere in Los Angeles on June 17. The film delves into the CCP\u2019s extreme, relentless efforts to silence this cultural and religious phenomenon, showcasing the remarkable resilience of Shen Yun performers. <\/p>\n<p>Shen Yun has a deep tie with Falun Gong, a spiritual practice founded by Li Hongzhi in the 1990s focused on self-improvement and meditation. The discipline once attracted tens of millions in China. The CCP banned the movement in 1999, labeling it an \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/us.china-embassy.gov.cn\/eng\/xglj\/flgzx\/201504\/t20150415_4903897.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">anti-society cult<\/a>,\u201d and has <a href=\"https:\/\/thehuman-rights.com\/falun-gong-china-persecuted-for-meditation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">persecuted<\/a> its followers for decades.  <\/p>\n<p>After Hongzhi was exiled to the United States, his followers established organizations such as Shen Yun Performing Arts Company and The Epoch Times to preserve traditional Chinese culture, critique the CCP, and spread Falun Gong\u2019s teachings. This connection explains why the CCP has targeted Shen Yun with <a href=\"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/china\/exporting-censorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transnational aggression<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p>Shen Yun Performing Arts presents a new two-hour dance production each year that tours internationally. Blending exquisite classical Chinese dance with stunning visuals and a live orchestra, the show celebrates 5,000 years of pre-communist Chinese culture while powerfully depicting the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners under the Chinese regime.  <\/p>\n<p>Many of the performers and staff have personally experienced this repression, giving the performance profound authenticity and emotional depth. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Shen Yun has earned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shenyunperformingarts.org\/reviews\/view\/article\/e\/rZGTIfJcx5I\/shen-yun-reviews-cate-blanchett.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rave reviews<\/a> from audiences, dancers, choreographers, and celebrities alike for the show\u2019s artistic brilliance, breathtaking visuals, live orchestra, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-first-lady-canceled-after-1-season-amid-awful-reviews-and-more\/\" title=\"\u2018The First Lady... Canceled After 1 Season Amid Awful Reviews And More\">compelling narratives<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Yet this success has invited scrutiny. In 2024 and 2025, The New York Times published a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/12\/29\/nyregion\/shen-yun-money-falun-gong.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">series<\/a> of investigative <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/08\/15\/nyregion\/shen-yun-dance-abuse.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reports<\/a> that raised serious allegations against the organization, including exploitative labor practices. The reports claimed that Shen Yun discouraged medical care for injuries, engaged in emotional manipulation, and underpaid young performers while amassing significant revenue and supporting an opulent lifestyle for Hongzhi and his wife. <\/p>\n<p>Several former performers subsequently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/05\/13\/nx-s1-5374934\/shen-yun-lawsuit-dancers-child-labor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">filed lawsuits<\/a> alleging forced child labor and other abuses. New York State\u2019s Department of Labor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/11\/17\/nyregion\/shen-yun-child-labor-regulator.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">launched<\/a> an investigation into the treatment of underage trainees. No conclusions have been released. <\/p>\n<p>Shen Yun has firmly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shenyun.org\/news\/view\/article\/e\/zBuHGkCwdO8\/media-gets-wrong-about-shen-yun.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">denied<\/a> the allegations, asserting that these claims are mere distortions from discontented former members or part of a smear campaign orchestrated by the CCP. <em>Unbroken<\/em> stands as Shen Yun\u2019s most powerful counterargument. It weaves together two storylines, with the more captivating one centered on young performers Lucas and Jesse Browde, who are not only talented but also dedicated beyond measure. <\/p>\n<p>The film showcases their intense training, presenting an unfiltered look at their struggles while illuminating the unwavering love and support of\u00a0 their families and supportive network of teachers and peers, who act like an extended family. At Shen Yun\u2019s training academy in Dragon Springs, New York, the brothers discovered a deep sense of belonging and purpose. This <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >compelling narrative effectively counters claims<\/a> of child labor, emotional exploitation and isolation, and medical neglect. <\/p>\n<p>The second storyline follows New Tang Dynasty (NTD)\u2019s Steve Lance investigating the NYT reports as part of a broader narrative about the CCP\u2019s sabotage efforts. As NTD\u2019s Washington D.C. bureau chief and chief political correspondent, Lance presents informative insights. However, this section is weaker, partly because the film does not fully disclose NTD\u2019s own ties to Falun Gong practitioners (the same network that produced <em>Unbroken<\/em>). Including an independent journalist with no ties to Falun Gong could have significantly enhanced the film\u2019s credibility. <\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the documentary largely sidesteps the NYT\u2019s claims about financial opacity and the lifestyle of Hongzhi and his wife, seemingly at the expense of performers and Falun Gong adherents. Although the film runs for 82 minutes and cannot cover every allegation, the noticeable omissions undermine its impact and leave essential questions unanswered. <\/p>\n<p>Despite its limitations, the documentary, just like Shen Yun performances, captivates audiences with its visually stunning cinematography \u2014 especially the synchronized precision of the young dancers \u2014 and its emotionally resonant storytelling.\u00a0\u00a0Whether or not one agrees with every aspect of Shen Yun and the message of Falun Gong, the film\u2019s core warning lands powerfully: a foreign authoritarian regime should not be permitted to dictate what art free societies can watch or what spiritual beliefs individuals may hold. In an era of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cima.ned.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CIMA-China_Sarah%2520Cook.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transnational repression<\/a>, <em>Unbroken<\/em> may not be a perfect rebuttal, but it is a passionate and visually gripping one. This documentary is worth seeing as an act of support for artistic freedom and religious liberty.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div>\n<p>      Helen Raleigh, CFA, is an American entrepreneur, writer, and speaker. She&#8217;s a senior contributor at The Federalist. Her writings appear in other national media, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News.  Helen is the author of several books, including &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Confucius-Never-Said-Helen-Raleigh\/dp\/1499185278\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&#038;keywords=Helen+Raleigh+Confucius+Never+Said&#038;qid=1606079469&#038;sr=8-1\">Confucius Never Said<\/a>&#8221; and \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Backlash-How-Chinas-Aggression-Backfired\/dp\/1736008501\/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;qid=1606006113&#038;sr=8-1\">Backlash: How Communist China&#8217;s Aggression Has Backfired<\/a>.&#8221; Her latest book is &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Not-Outsiders-Americans-political-activism\/dp\/1736008552\">Not Outsiders: Asian Americans\u2019 political activism from the 19th century to today<\/a>.\u201d Follow her on Twitter: @HRaleighspeaks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chinese embassy pressures cancel Shen Yun shows worldwide<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":536,"featured_media":2614148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pexels-robert-stokoe-105922-9275393-e1781183095512.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6371,36930,81202],"class_list":["post-2614147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-censorship","tag-human-rights","tag-shenyun"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pexels-robert-stokoe-105922-9275393-e1781183095512.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/536"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2614147"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2614151,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614147\/revisions\/2614151"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2614148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2614147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2614147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2614147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}