OTTAWA—Organizers and fans of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ shows held a protest outside the Chinese embassy in Ottawa on Sunday after learning that members of one of the company’s touring groups had been denied entry to Hong Kong.
“Shen Yun Performing Arts regrets to inform that seven sold-out shows in Hong Kong have been cancelled due to Hong Kong authorities’ last-minute denial of entry visas to several of our key production staff,” the company said in a statement.
The shows were scheduled to play at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ Lyric Theatre Jan. 27-31. But on Jan. 21, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department denied entry visas to seven core members of the production team.
“The reason given by Hong Kong immigration is that these production jobs could be filled locally,” the statement said.
Shen Yun is a New York-based company that has been reviving China’s artistic traditions and spiritual heritage that were almost wiped out after the current communist regime took power in China.
It was the first time that Shen Yun, which is currently on a 20-country world tour, would have brought its show to Hong Kong. All seven scheduled shows were sold out about a week after tickets became available.
“It is a very, very sad day for the residents of Hong Kong. They have been known around the world as believers in the rule of law and democracy and respect for people. This decision to deny the visas shows that it’s the party state in Beijing that is running the affairs in Hong Kong,” said David Kilgour, a former MP and Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific.
“I have been to Hong Kong many times and have met with the officials of the government of Hong Kong, and I suspect that most of them are as dismayed about this decision as are most of the people who have heard of it around the world. It’s appalling.”
Show organizers in various countries say the Chinese regime has for years tried to interfere with the group’s performances by pressuring officials not to attend and pressuring theatres to cancel scheduled shows.
Shen Yun’s performances showcase classical Chinese dance and music along with a full orchestra that combines Chinese and Western instruments. The production portrays ancient legends as well as contemporary events, including artistic representations of Chinese citizens standing up against persecution. Performances around the world have been marked by sold-out shows, standing ovations, and multiple curtain calls.
“Shen Yun Performing Arts regrets to inform that seven sold-out shows in Hong Kong have been cancelled due to Hong Kong authorities’ last-minute denial of entry visas to several of our key production staff,” the company said in a statement.
The shows were scheduled to play at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ Lyric Theatre Jan. 27-31. But on Jan. 21, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department denied entry visas to seven core members of the production team.
“The reason given by Hong Kong immigration is that these production jobs could be filled locally,” the statement said.
Shen Yun is a New York-based company that has been reviving China’s artistic traditions and spiritual heritage that were almost wiped out after the current communist regime took power in China.
It was the first time that Shen Yun, which is currently on a 20-country world tour, would have brought its show to Hong Kong. All seven scheduled shows were sold out about a week after tickets became available.
“It is a very, very sad day for the residents of Hong Kong. They have been known around the world as believers in the rule of law and democracy and respect for people. This decision to deny the visas shows that it’s the party state in Beijing that is running the affairs in Hong Kong,” said David Kilgour, a former MP and Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific.
“I have been to Hong Kong many times and have met with the officials of the government of Hong Kong, and I suspect that most of them are as dismayed about this decision as are most of the people who have heard of it around the world. It’s appalling.”
Show organizers in various countries say the Chinese regime has for years tried to interfere with the group’s performances by pressuring officials not to attend and pressuring theatres to cancel scheduled shows.
Shen Yun’s performances showcase classical Chinese dance and music along with a full orchestra that combines Chinese and Western instruments. The production portrays ancient legends as well as contemporary events, including artistic representations of Chinese citizens standing up against persecution. Performances around the world have been marked by sold-out shows, standing ovations, and multiple curtain calls.
Mr. Kilgour and David Matas, a Winnipeg-based international human rights lawyer and Order of Canada recipient, sent a joint letter to Hong Kong’s chief executive Donald Tsang on Jan. 26 asking him to reverse the decision so that the shows can be rescheduled.
“The visa denials were, in our view, the result of an attempt to cater to the wishes of the regime,” the letter said.
It noted that the denials violate the freedom of the Hong Kong people and throw into question the principle of “one country two systems” that forms the basis of Hong Kong’s status in China.
“Hong Kong should not be part of Chinese repression of innocence,” said Mr. Matas in an interview.
While the show represents “a continuity with the old China and a celebration and remembrance of it,the communists in China tend to look askance at ancient Chinese traditions and they often see themselves as breaking away from them.”
Maggie Hou, who attended the Ottawa rally, recently came to Canada from China. As a human rights defender she says life was difficult in China. She is now a University of Ottawa visiting professor teaching a course on the state of human rights in China.
“The Hong Kong Government, to a certain extent, has become a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party. We condemn what the Hong Kong Government has done to the group, and also hope that they will make reparations,” she said in Chinese.
Speaking in Vancouver on Wednesday, NDP MP Peter Julian said the issue raises concerns about “what it means for the future of the free expression in Hong Kong.”
“That a show like this received a lot of support from the public—that’s why it sold out, and so to keep the commitment around ‘one country two systems’ these kinds of events should go ahead, and it’s important for the Chinese government to recognize that.”
A protest was also held at the Hong Kong Economic And Trade Office in Toronto on Monday.
“The visa denials were, in our view, the result of an attempt to cater to the wishes of the regime,” the letter said.
It noted that the denials violate the freedom of the Hong Kong people and throw into question the principle of “one country two systems” that forms the basis of Hong Kong’s status in China.
“Hong Kong should not be part of Chinese repression of innocence,” said Mr. Matas in an interview.
While the show represents “a continuity with the old China and a celebration and remembrance of it,the communists in China tend to look askance at ancient Chinese traditions and they often see themselves as breaking away from them.”
Maggie Hou, who attended the Ottawa rally, recently came to Canada from China. As a human rights defender she says life was difficult in China. She is now a University of Ottawa visiting professor teaching a course on the state of human rights in China.
“The Hong Kong Government, to a certain extent, has become a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party. We condemn what the Hong Kong Government has done to the group, and also hope that they will make reparations,” she said in Chinese.
Speaking in Vancouver on Wednesday, NDP MP Peter Julian said the issue raises concerns about “what it means for the future of the free expression in Hong Kong.”
“That a show like this received a lot of support from the public—that’s why it sold out, and so to keep the commitment around ‘one country two systems’ these kinds of events should go ahead, and it’s important for the Chinese government to recognize that.”
A protest was also held at the Hong Kong Economic And Trade Office in Toronto on Monday.
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