SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Chinese Democracy Advocate Says Shen Yun’s Undertaking ‘A Fatal Blow to the CCP’

Mar 27, 2026

3/27/2026Updated: 3/27/2026

NEW YORK—Chen Liqun, vice chair of the Chinese Democratic Party National Committee and chair of the Chinese Alliance for Democracy, attended Shen Yun’s second local performance on March 26 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. Having previously seen Shen Yun, she returned for a second time and said the experience still brought her many pleasant surprises.

“The performance just keeps getting better,” Ms. Chen said. “The overall program arrangement and the transitions between pieces are really excellent. There are so many classical dances, with stories woven throughout—everything is very harmonious and perfectly coordinated.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of China before communism. Since its founding in 2006, the company has presented an entirely new program each year, appearing on stages at internationally renowned theaters and captivating audiences around the world.

Reflecting on the moral themes conveyed through Shen Yun’s dance stories, Ms. Chen said, “We should believe in the existence of the divine, and we should treat others with kindness, do good, and not do evil. Wrongdoing will be met with consequences—that is the principle of good and evil being repaid. I think those stories are excellent, and I believe American audiences can also relate to them.”

Watching a performance that showcases traditional Chinese culture on the stage of a world-renowned venue like Lincoln Center filled her with pride. “Lincoln Center is famous around the world,” Ms. Chen said. “To present Chinese traditional culture in such a theater is no easy feat, and many Americans are coming to see it. I think Shen Yun has done an excellent job in promoting itself. To be able to perform here is truly something Chinese people can be proud of.”

Ms. Chen believes Shen Yun’s role in presenting traditional culture on the global stage carries deep significance. “Shen Yun centers on classical Chinese and traditional dance, and in doing so, it fundamentally rejects the narrative promoted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP),” she said. “That, I think, is extremely powerful. What Shen Yun is doing is something the CCP would naturally fear.”

“Shen Yun has done an excellent job,” she added, expressing admiration for the artists’ dedication. “I believe that preserving and passing down traditional culture, in and of itself, is a fatal blow to the CCP.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Chen said she hopes more people will have the opportunity to see the performance. “I think Shen Yun artists should continue to be encouraged, and there are still many Americans who haven’t seen it yet,” she said. “More people should know about Shen Yun. Just like many shows in the United States that tell stories of faith and are performed year after year to sold-out audiences, I believe Shen Yun can achieve the same.”

She also expressed regret that many Chinese people have yet to attend. “Some people may have misunderstandings, and some are influenced by negative propaganda,” Ms. Chen said. “That can lead to confusion.”

To those who have not yet seen the performance, she offered a direct message: “I believe Chinese people should come and see Shen Yun. It is so beautiful and truly represents authentic China. Only after seeing it will people understand that what the Communist Party says is not true.”

Reporting by Weiyong Zhu and Olivia Li.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.