Beijing Is Facing the Biggest Challenge to Its Soft Power

For decades, a core assumption about China has gone largely unchallenged: That the Chinese Communist Party can legitimately represent Chinese culture—or is inseparable from it.

Then came Shen Yun.

For 20 years, the dance company has presented a vision of traditional Chinese culture independent of the regime—one that, some say, counteracts a century of the Party’s efforts to harness culture as soft power.

A new documentary reveals the extent to which the regime has tried to suppress the dance troupe.

Terri speaks with the film’s executive producer about why the Chinese Communist Party fears Shen Yun, and the untold stories behind the campaign to stop it.

• Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun (Watch)

Views expressed in this episode are opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

—

Terri Wu is a Washington-based freelance reporter for The Epoch Times covering education and China-related issues. Send tips to [email protected].

Enjoyed this podcast? Follow China Watch for a peek behind the red curtain.