Celebrated for its mesmerizing blend of traditional Chinese dance, music, and storytelling, Shen Yun Performing Arts has become a global phenomenon, taking millions by storm with its gravity-defying acrobatics, vibrant costumes, and jaw-dropping choreography. But despite its acclaim, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has shown a marked hostility toward the performance, fearing the values it represents.
Zhao Lanjian, a former senior media professional from China, shared his thoughts on Shen Yun’s cultural significance and the ongoing smear campaign against it by entities like “The New York Times.” He called Shen Yun a “cultural pinnacle of Chinese heritage” and urged audiences worldwide to experience its transformative power firsthand.
A long-awaited dream fulfilled
Zhao first learned about Shen Yun in 2007 while browsing YouTube. The promotional video left him deeply moved, sparking a desire to see the performance in person. However, years of missed opportunities delayed his dream. Finally, in 2022, Zhao attended a Shen Yun performance, fulfilling a decade-long aspiration.
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The experience exceeded his expectations. As someone who frequently attends cultural performances around the world, Zhao was struck by Shen Yun’s unique ability to convey warmth and energy. “I felt a surge of warmth rise from my feet and spread through my entire body,” he recounted, describing a profound emotional resonance. What impressed him most was the authenticity and purity of Shen Yun’s artistry, which he attributed to the performers’ faith and dedication.
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On his second visit, Zhao focused on the details, using binoculars to observe the dancers’ facial expressions. He was captivated by their sweat, passion, and emotional depth. “Their body language was infused with soul. Without faith, such vibrant and expressive performances would not be possible,” he said.
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Art that transcends words
Zhao shared a story about inviting a Republican couple to watch Shen Yun. For a month afterward, the performance became a recurring topic of their conversations. He attributed this lasting impact to Shen Yun’s seamless integration of faith and art, which transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries.
According to Zhao, Shen Yun showcases the grandeur of China’s 5,000-year-old civilization, a stark contrast to the destruction wrought by the CCP’s 70 years in power. “Shen Yun represents a cultural peak that surpasses the CCP’s propaganda efforts, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Winter Games,” he argued. Unlike state-funded one-off events, Shen Yun’s influence stems from its faith-driven mission, which continues to grow each year.
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Why the CCP Fears Shen Yun
Zhao believes the CCP’s hostility toward Shen Yun arises from the values it embodies, which stand in direct opposition to the party’s ideology. Through dance, music, and storytelling, Shen Yun conveys universal values like truth, compassion, and tolerance—principles that the CCP finds threatening. “Shen Yun revives traditional values destroyed by the CCP, which is why they feel it challenges their control,” Zhao explained.
He compared Shen Yun’s faith-driven artistic achievements to historical examples like Christian and Catholic contributions to art and architecture. “Shen Yun is a modern cultural miracle, sustained by the dedication of its believers,” Zhao said. He criticized the CCP’s attempts to misrepresent Shen Yun as a moneymaking enterprise, calling such accusations baseless.
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In recent years, “The New York Times” has published articles accusing Shen Yun of financial exploitation, a narrative Zhao dismissed as absurd. He pointed out that Shen Yun operates as a nonprofit, much like religious institutions funded by their congregations. “Volunteers and donors support Shen Yun, making it a cultural marvel, not a commercial venture,” Zhao emphasized.
Zhao also highlighted the hypocrisy of these accusations, noting that if financial gain were the goal, Falun Gong’s founder, Li Hongzhi, could have capitalized on the movement’s massive following in the 1990s. Instead, the funds from Shen Yun ticket sales are reinvested into expanding its global reach and cultural mission, not personal enrichment.
‘The New York Times‘: A tool for propaganda?
Zhao accused “The New York Times” of serving as a CCP propaganda tool. For years, the newspaper has published paid advertisements promoting CCP narratives while attacking groups like Falun Gong and Shen Yun. He alleged financial and personal connections between “The New York Times” staff and Chinese state media officials, undermining the newspaper’s credibility.
“’The New York Times’ has abandoned journalistic ethics, becoming a mouthpiece for the CCP,” Zhao said. He cited its role in downplaying significant human rights issues, like the “chained woman” scandal in China, as evidence of its compromised integrity.
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A call to experience Shen Yun
Zhao concluded by urging people to see Shen Yun for themselves. He believes its artistic and spiritual impact can only be fully appreciated in person. “Shen Yun represents a cultural renaissance, restoring the beauty and values lost under the CCP,” Zhao said.
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