(Clearwisdom.net) On February 21, Huanyu Cultural Company, the organizer of Shen Yun shows in Australia, the Falun Dafa Association in New South Wales, and the Capitol Theatre held a press conference explaining how the local Chinese Consulate tried to interfere with Shen Yun Performing Arts and their presentations in Australia.
The press conference
The Chinese Consulate in Sydney issued a statement defaming Shen Yun Performing Arts to the diplomatic missions of other countries located in Australia. The Chinese Consulate also asked Chinese parents to tell school principals and teachers to return the tickets they had purchased. The attempts to interfere with the Shen Yun show in Sydney met with little success. Many teachers and students came to watch the show and said they would introduce Shen Yun to more people and organize more groups of students to see it.
Ms. Li Weina, a representative of Shen Yun Performing Arts; Ian Cohen, a Member of Parliament from New South Wales; Gordon Moyes, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council; and the talk show host of a local Vietnamese radio station spoke at the press conference and answered questions from the media.
John Deller, a director of Universal Cultural Communications Ltd, a co-presenter of the Shen Yun Performing Arts in Sydney, said, "We recently became aware of a Media Release issued by the Chinese Consulate in Sydney which slandered the Shen Yun Performing Arts and the spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa and tries to interfere with the freedoms and rights we enjoy in Australia. China's communist regime has decimated the arts in China and should not be allowed to extend its censorship to Australia. The Shen Yun performers, based in New York, have a freedom of artistic expression not possible within China today and bring the goodness and purity of traditional Chinese culture to the people of the world. Many Australians have seen the Shen Yun Performing Arts and been deeply moved. It is important to speak up to expose the Chinese Consulate's campaign against Shen Yun so that more Australians are not deceived. It really is a tragedy when even Australian school children are subject to the same propaganda that Chinese kids endure within mainland China."
The Hon. David Clarke, a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, expressed that he was shocked by the CCP's behavior. He said if the harassment is confirmed, then the Legislative Council will investigate, because schools and children should not be threatened. Mr. Clarke also supported the freedom of Falun Gong. Mr. Clarke said that he and his wife enjoyed the Shen Yun show, which was professionally done, a pleasure to watch, and spiritually encouraging.
Member of Parliament, The Hon. Ian Cohen said that the Shen Yun shows are wonderful, and should be shared with everyone. He said that targeting the public educational system was worrisome; worse than the usual threats from the CCP. Mr. Cohen said he has seen Shen Yun shows several times, and he found the shows magnificent. He said that everyone should come to see this show, especially young people.
Dr. Gordon Moyes condemned the CCP for interfering with the Australian affairs
Dr. Gordon Moyes has seen many Shen Yun shows. He praised Shen Yun and noted that the persecution of Falun Gong continues in China, so we should not stop our efforts to bring it to an end.
The talk show host of a local Vietnamese radio station condemned the CCP
The talk show host of a local Vietnamese radio station condemned the CCP. She said one of her friends was told by the Chinese consulate that if he goes to watch the Shen Yun show that his visa application to China would be rejected. Several Australian government officials remarked that they were not afraid of the CCP's threats, and that hearing about them actually made them want to go to see the show. They believe that the CCP interference is illegal. Children and parents should be free to make their own choices. Some believe that the Australian government should take steps to investigate.
