(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006. Every year, it presents the essence of China’s 5,000-year-old traditional culture with a new set of programs, and many political and business leaders and cultural icons have praised the show. For 19 years, however, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never let up in trying to interfere with and disrupt Shen Yun’s performances and attack the company and its artists.
Nima Gholam Ali Pour, a Swedish Member of Parliament (MP), said in an interview, “These practices reflect that the CCP regime and ideology are a threat to free society.”
“The CCP Regards All Forms of Independent Cultural Activities As Threats”
For many years, the Chinese Embassy and its agents have repeatedly contacted Swedish politicians and even used Western media to discredit Shen Yun and Falun Gong. Nima Gholam Ali Pour MP also received such emails. He said that the CCP’s attempt to use slander to control overseas Chinese and groups is also challenging Sweden’s democratic system.
Nima Gholam Ali Pour MP said, “[Shen Yun] is a wonderful performance! It is definitely an unforgettable experience.”
Nima said, “I have read some things about this, but you have to put it [this information] in context. When [Shen Yun] is seen as a threat by the Chinese communist government, you must understand that all the slander and smearing may be attacks by the Chinese Communist Party. You cannot just accept the surface of this information, but must put it into context with reality and background. Then you will understand that this regime is sparing no effort to smear every organization and individual it considers a threat to it.
“Authoritarian and totalitarian countries often regard national culture as a threat, because national culture is often independent and is controlled and created by ordinary people. Unfortunately, in today’s China, anything independent will be seen as a threat to the CCP. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are such underground intelligence activities and various attempts to suppress Shen Yun,” he said. “China is a nation with a brilliant culture, but it is represented by such a government in the international community. It is really sad!”
He said that Western countries are increasingly aware that the CCP regime and ideology pose a threat to free society: “More Westerners need to understand that [the CCP] has a completely different ideology that does not recognize any independent cultural forms or activities [outside of its power]. This is why Shen Yun is seen as a threat. We Westerners must understand this. This is not a regime with which we can coexist peacefully for a long time, because sooner or later the CCP will threaten us in various ways, and in fact it has already begun. The purpose of the ‘secret police stations’ set up by the CCP in Western countries is to control the local Chinese people, which is exactly the same as its threat to Shen Yun. It is to control the Chinese outside the mainland.”
“Elected Officials Have the Right to Express Their Own Opinions”
When Falun Gong practitioners protested 25 years of the CCP’s persecution last year, Nima and 16 other Swedish MPs issued a joint statement to support them and condemn the CCP-sanctioned forced organ harvesting. As a result, the MPs have been repeatedly pressured by the Chinese embassy.
Nima said that this reflects the CCP’s contempt for Western democracy. “I think that’s all mean behavior. When I was on holiday in northern Sweden at Christmas, I got an email from the Chinese Embassy, saying that they wanted to tell me some so-called ‘truth,’ claiming that the accusation of organ theft [organ harvesting] is a conspiracy theory. However, [as far as I know] evidence [from more than one source] has confirmed that organ theft does exist [in China].
“I think this also shows that China [the CCP] has no respect for the elected representatives of Sweden and the Swedish government, nor for our democratic methods in Sweden. We are democratically elected representatives and [of course] have the right to express our own opinions!”
Recommends Shen Yun to Everyone
Nima saw the Shen Yun performance for the first time a year ago, and he still remembers it vividly. “This is a magnificent performance. [The lineup] is strong, and it has a positive effect on people,” he said. “I was deeply impressed by the beauty of the performance and the exquisite production. And the performance itself is also spreading moral and traditional values.”
When he heard that Shen Yun Performing Arts will come to Sweden again this April during Easter this year, Nima said he is looking forward to it and will recommend to everyone to go see it. “I hope to see it again this year. Because the first time you watch it, you will be shocked. But you can’t absorb everything, so it is worth seeing it again to slowly appreciate the connotations of different programs,” he said. “[Shen Yun] is indeed a wonderful performance! Buy a ticket and go see it. It is definitely an unforgettable experience.”
For Shen Yun ticket information, please visit: www.shenyun.com.
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