The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has perfected the art of suppression — silencing free thought, rewriting history, and controlling cultural narratives. This influence is no longer limited to China’s borders.
The CCP’s authoritarian reach has expanded into democratic societies, using propaganda, cyberattacks, diplomatic coercion, and even direct threats to silence those who expose its oppressive nature. One of the most striking examples of this transnational repression is the CCP’s relentless campaign against Shen Yun, a New York-based performing arts company that has revived a cultural heritage that the party has spent decades trying to erase.
For 5,000 years, China flourished as a civilization of immense spiritual and artistic depth. Guided by Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist principles, Chinese culture emphasized virtues such as compassion, integrity, and respect for the divine. From the Yellow Emperor of antiquity to the splendor of the Tang Dynasty and the refinement of the Qing, China’s rich traditions formed an enduring legacy.
But when the CCP seized power, it launched one of the most aggressive cultural purges in history. The Cultural Revolution led to the destruction of temples, the banning of religious practices, and the replacement of China’s traditional identity with state-controlled ideology.
With this long history of erasure in mind, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 as an effort to restore China’s lost artistic heritage. Unlike any other performing arts company, Shen Yun exists outside the reach of the CCP, allowing it to freely present a version of China that the party has worked so hard to erase.
Shen Yun’s world-class artists — drawn from across the globe — work tirelessly to revive a heritage that was nearly lost. They are not only preserving history but also challenging the CCP’s monopoly on Chinese identity.
Beijing fears them because the CCP understands that its control over the narrative of Chinese history is fragile. If audiences around the world see the beauty of China’s pre-communist traditions, they may begin to question the legitimacy of the party’s rule.
This is why the CCP has waged an aggressive war against them, working to suppress it at every turn.
The CCP’s hostility toward Shen Yun extends beyond mere criticism — it actively seeks to sabotage the group’s performances worldwide. Chinese embassies have contacted theaters, demanding they cancel performances or face consequences.
Venues that refuse to comply often experience harassment, technical failures, website hacks, and even direct intimidation. At the same time, state-run media outlets push disinformation, branding Shen Yun as controversial to deter audiences from attending.
But the CCP’s interference doesn’t stop at pressuring venues and spreading misinformation — it directly targets Shen Yun’s performers as well. Its repression tactics have been relentless, from sabotaging vehicles carrying the artists to threatening and imprisoning their relatives in China.
The CCP’s repression tactics escalated to a dangerous level when a bomb threat was made against a Shen Yun performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. While the threat did not result in actual violence, it sent a clear message that those who challenge the party’s control over history and culture will be met with intimidation and fear tactics.
The fact that such a threat was issued in the heart of America’s capital should be alarming to every American.
America has always been a defender of free speech, artistic expression, and human rights. The fact that a foreign government is using threats, misinformation, and cyberattacks to control what Americans can watch and experience should be met with absolute resistance.
This is not just about China — it is about whether authoritarian regimes will be allowed to shape discourse in free nations.
President Donald Trump has an unprecedented opportunity to lead a decisive campaign against authoritarian overreach, ensuring that democratic values triumph over totalitarian control. Under his leadership, America can take meaningful action to counter foreign interference, protect artistic freedom, and expose the CCP’s tactics of suppression.
The CCP’s influence extends far beyond Shen Yun. It is part of a broader strategy to reshape global discourse to fit an authoritarian agenda. From Hollywood’s self-censorship to the infiltration of U.S. universities through Confucius Institutes, the CCP has long been working to influence the cultural and political landscape of America.
If left unchecked, China’s control over narratives will only expand.
With President Trump at the helm, America must push back against China’s aggressive censorship, rally allies to uphold democratic values, and reaffirm its role as the world’s foremost defender of freedom.
This means taking firm action against CCP-backed propaganda, preventing foreign regimes from interfering in American cultural institutions, and holding accountable those who act as unregistered agents for foreign authoritarian interests.
Now is the moment for bold action. The ability to freely express ideas, culture, and history is fundamental to a democratic society. If a foreign power can dictate what performances are allowed on U.S. soil, it sets a dangerous precedent for censorship, coercion, and control over the American people.
The CCP’s assault on Shen Yun is only one example of a much larger campaign to shape global thought in its favor.
The United States must take the lead in protecting free expression, ensuring that foreign regimes cannot silence critics, and defending organizations like Shen Yun that stand for truth and historical preservation.
Standing with Shen Yun means standing for free expression, historical truth, and resistance to tyranny. If America allows the CCP to dictate what art can be seen, where does the censorship stop?
President Trump and other democratic leaders must take a stand — not just for Shen Yun, but for the fundamental freedoms that define America.
The fight against the CCP’s authoritarian influence is a fight for the very soul of free societies. If America does not push back now, it risks losing control over its own cultural and artistic institutions to a foreign power that seeks to rewrite history and silence those who dare to remember it.
Diana London is a seasoned political strategist and commentator with over five years of experience on Capitol Hill. Currently a Newsmax columnist, Diana is President and Co-Founder of Ford & London Global Strategies, and Vice President of X Capital Investments. She also serves as CEO of The Secret Weapon Agency, specializing in crisis communications and public relations. She works on advancing conservative initiatives and empowering diverse communities as well as championing criminal justice reform. Read Diana London's Reports — More Here.
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