On March 25, 2009, over 100 theater-goers became angered after finding out the Shen Yun show was cancelled due to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The show was to be held at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta,
After realizing the show was cancelled, some ticket holders proceeded to protest outside the nearby Chinese Embassy, demanding that officials give an answer as to why the CCP would stop the production. Protestors criticized the Indonesian government for bowing to the will of the CCP. They argued that the move had harmed Indonesia’s national image and sovereignty.
As theater-goers arrived at the convention center, they looked confused upon finding such an empty scene. Kuize, the venue’s manager, had to inform ticket holders of the cancellation. He was sorry to learn that many theater-goers had flown to Jakarta and took leave from work just to see the Shen Yun show.
Theater-goers came from all over Indonesia, including Medan, Surabaya, Bali and Batam. Some came from as far as Singapore and Malaysia.
