Hong Kong: People from All Walks of Life Expect Shen Yun

The sponsor and organiser of the Shen Yun shows in Hong Kong recently filed a lawsuit against the Hong Kong government for interfering with the shows. The court held a hearing on January 24th, 2011. Before the hearing, the organiser of the show held a parade and rally, calling for support and help to stop the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from interfering, as they believed that the show was being interferred with as a result of pressure from the CCP. Several guests spoke at the rally. They hoped that the court would decide fairly so that Shen Yun would be able to perform in Hong Kong.

The parade

The parade

The Shen Yun shows were scheduled from January 27th to 31st, but, pressured by the CCP, the Hong Kong government cancelled the shows. Many people from all walks of life condemned the government's decision. Mr. Jian Hongzhang, the chair of the Falun Dafa Association in Hong Kong, called upon the government to correct its error. “We believe that Shen Yun Performing Arts will successfully hold shows in Hong Kong, bringing pure beauty and compassion to the people of Hong Kong,” Mr. Jian said in his speech at the rally.

Mr. He Junren, the chairman of the Democrats in Hong Kong and a legislator, sent a video to the rally. He expressed his support to the Shen Yun organiser: “It is a matter of freedom; freedom of expression and freedom of information. Shen Yun Performing Arts has the freedom to hold shows. The Hong Kong government knew that thousands of tickets for the show had been sold, but still banned it. It is obvious that the CCP exerted pressure on the government.”

Prof. Zheng Yushuo from City University of Hong Kong called upon Hong Kong citizens to protect their own rights. Mr. Cai Yaochang, the vice chair of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said that Shen Yun shows are very beautiful. He hoped that more people would have a chance to see them. He also said that Hong Kong citizens should have the freedom to express all kinds of opinions.

Bao Tong, the former secretary for Zhao Ziyang, who was the former General Secretary of the CCP before 1989, sent an audio recording to the rally. He said: “I hope that the whole world will learn that Hong Kong does not have judicial independence.”

Chu Wanchi, a human rights lawyer from Taiwan, said, “Much evidence shows that the CCP has been trying to interfere with Shen Yun in many countries, so it is reasonable to believe that the CCP is the force behind the scenes this time.” Chu urged the judge in this case to thoroughly investigate and make the Hong Kong government tell the truth about whether or not the CCP exerted pressure on it.

Many artists and politicians in Hong Kong said that Shen Yun promotes traditional Chinese culture and brings “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” to Hong Kong society. It has a positive impact. Gan Haowang, a Catholic priest, said, “We hope that someday Shen Yun will come to Hong Kong. Before that, we will fight for our rights, but peacefully, with the spirit of truthfulness-compassion-forbearance.”

Mr. Wang Zang, a poet from Guizhou, China, said, “Chinese people are concerned about Shen Yun, which deeply touched our hearts. Shen Yun shows encourage people and promote Chinese culture. It is a sign that indicates that the disasters the CCP is responsible for are about to end. Giving in to the CCP and interfering with Shen Yun means refusing beauty and loss of freedom.”

Several human right activists, writers, and politicians expressed similar opinions about the importance of protecting freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, and hoped that Shen Yun would come to Hong Kong in the future.