The Chinese Communist Party's Actions Are Extremely Reprehensible, Prompting Outrage From the British Government

British Security Minister Dan Jarvis has sent a letter to the UK Falun Dafa Association condemning the CCP's transnational suppression of Shen Yun (Image synthesised by Dajiyuan)

[People News] On February 4, 2026, British Security Minister Dan Jarvis wrote to the UK Falun Dafa Association, stating that the threats of personal attacks against Shen Yun performance venues and associated individuals are highly reprehensible and represent a blatant infringement on the freedoms and security that are shared by British society.

Jarvis emphasised that any attempts to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or communities within the UK are unacceptable, and the British government is taking a proactive approach to address and combat such threats.

Minghui.org reported that this statement follows a letter from the UK Foreign Office to the UK Falun Dafa Association on January 23, which clearly expressed the government's strong opposition to the CCP's agents using intimidation to disrupt Shen Yun performances. The British government has once again made its position clear on this matter. As a senior official responsible for counter-terrorism, addressing threats from foreign hostile forces, and public safety within the UK government, Jarvis's response further reinforces the government's firm stance on this issue.

British Security Minister: Threatening behaviour is extremely reprehensible

In his response, Jarvis first addressed the threats faced by Shen Yun during its performances in the UK from CCP agents and their accomplices, conveying the government's serious concern.

In a letter dated January 12, he expressed gratitude for the correspondence regarding the targeted issues faced by Shen Yun Performing Arts during its performances across the UK. He noted that his officials have passed the relevant concerns you raised to the appropriate law enforcement and security cooperation departments. As you are aware, threats against theatres hosting Shen Yun performances were reported to the police last year, who evaluated the incidents and took necessary measures to ensure the safety of those involved.

Founded in New York in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts aims to restore traditional Chinese culture by "showcasing China before communism." Its remarkable artistic style embodies universal values such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. Over the past 20 years, it has toured globally, captivating millions of audiences and gaining admiration from mainstream society in various countries, yet it has long been a target of attacks from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

At a congressional forum titled "The CCP's Escalation of Transnational Suppression" held in the U.S. Capitol in June 2025, renowned legal scholar and former Peking University law professor Yuan Hongbing stated that Xi Jinping ordered a new wave of escalated transnational suppression at the end of 2022, primarily focusing on Falun Gong and Shen Yun, mainly carried out through "public opinion warfare" and "legal warfare."

As a result, the CCP's threats and interference have intensified in recent years, including death threats, bomb threats, and threats of violent attacks by impersonators. Additionally, CCP consulates have released smear articles and infiltrated Western media, such as The New York Times, which have distorted facts to attack Shen Yun, further supported by the CCP's propaganda outlets and internet armies launching public opinion campaigns.

Threats have been directed at theatres worldwide that host Shen Yun performances, with the perpetrators often posing as government officials, media reporters, or Chinese dissidents.

Dan Jarvis, the UK Minister for Security, has strongly condemned the intimidation aimed at Shen Yun performances and the theatres, stressing that the UK government has a duty to effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of performance groups and their audiences.

He stated: "The act of threatening theatres in this way and conducting personal attacks is extremely reprehensible, blatantly violating the freedoms and safety that we collectively enjoy in the UK. This government is resolutely committed to promoting and protecting freedom of speech and freedom of religion or belief. This includes advocating for and safeguarding the rights of performance groups like Shen Yun and their audiences."

Jarvis also highlighted the government's commitment to upholding core values: "We will continue to defend these fundamental freedoms through the UK's positions in the United Nations, the G7, and other multilateral frameworks, as well as through bilateral dialogues."

In closing his letter, he reiterated the UK government's 'zero tolerance' policy regarding such threats: "Any attempt to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or communities within the UK is unacceptable. We are continuously evaluating the potential threats facing the UK and prioritising the protection of individual rights, freedoms, and safety. With the collaborative efforts of the police and intelligence agencies, we consistently adopt a proactive stance to address and combat these threats."

This letter from UK Minister for Security Dan Jarvis to the UK Falun Dafa Association (Minghui.org) provides an overview of the situation.

Incident Review: Several theatres have received intimidation threats, prompting police intervention.

According to the Falun Dafa Information Centre, there were a total of 193 violent threats directed at Shen Yun Performing Arts and Falun Gong groups from March 2024 to October 16, 2025. Many of these threats specifically targeted the theatres hosting Shen Yun performances and training campuses, including various forms of violence such as bombings, shootings, and arson.

As reported by Minghui.org, the Shen Yun Performing Arts tour in the UK officially began on January 2, 2026, with plans for 52 performances across 12 cities. However, leading up to and following the performances, several theatres received threatening emails from agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their accomplices. These emails, some written in Chinese and others in English, contained violent threats and political pressure.

The Birmingham Theatre, the first stop on the tour, received two threatening emails that included threats to personal safety and bomb threats. Similarly, the local theatre in Oxford, the second stop of the tour, received multiple threats before the performance. One email explicitly warned that venues hosting Shen Yun would be permanently barred from hosting state-sanctioned symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, or exhibitions, effectively excluding them from China's extensive cultural market and associated sponsorship opportunities.

The theatres promptly reported these incidents to local law enforcement, which quickly initiated an investigation and enhanced security measures during the performances. Despite the threats causing some disruptions, the Shen Yun performances continued as planned, with ticket sales across the UK thriving and nearly every show sold out.

The UK Foreign Office was the first to take a stand, declaring that it would not tolerate transnational repression.

The UK Falun Dafa Association subsequently reported this series of serious incidents to the relevant UK government departments.

In a letter dated January 23, the British Foreign Office expressed its concern regarding the persecution of Falun Gong: "Recently, there have been threats against Shen Yun performers and their venues in the UK. The environment for religious or belief freedom in China is severely restricted. The UK is deeply concerned about the persecution faced by Falun Gong practitioners both within China and abroad." 

The letter further clarified the government's stance: "This UK government is committed to firmly upholding human rights and promoting and protecting the rights to religious or belief freedom for all, including Falun Gong practitioners, Shen Yun performers, and their audiences." 

Additionally, the British Foreign Office reiterated the government's primary responsibility: "The government's foremost duty is to ensure national security. We are resolutely addressing foreign interference, including actions that constitute transnational repression. Any foreign forces attempting to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or groups within the UK are completely unacceptable." 

US lawmakers have condemned the CCP's transnational repression and called for accountability. 

In response to the CCP's transnational repression against the US Shen Yun Performing Arts and groups like Falun Gong, several members of the US Congress have voiced their concerns over the past year, demanding action to hold the CCP accountable and to impose sanctions such as prosecution, sentencing, and expulsion on those involved. 

At a large rally in Washington, DC, in July this year, titled "Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong," US Congressman Pat Ryan stated, "I especially want to commend those performers and reaffirm my commitment: Shen Yun should—and must—be able to perform in the United States and in every corner of the world. We will continue to work to ensure this, regardless of the threats we face."

On February 20, 2025, the Shen Yun Performing Arts encountered a bomb threat during its inaugural performance at the Kennedy Centre Opera House in Washington, D.C. In reaction, U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden from Texas remarked, "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has shamelessly issued bomb threats to Shen Yun theatres around the globe. The unfounded bomb threat made yesterday at the Kennedy Centre is yet another intimidation attempt. The CCP's destructive actions will not prevail. Shen Yun will continue to present authentic Chinese culture free from communist influence!"

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley expressed to The Dajiyuan, "The CCP is exporting its suppression of free speech and assembly to the United States. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable, and we must respond with strength."

U.S. Congressman Zach Nunn told The Dajiyuan that the CCP's transnational repression represents a coordinated effort to undermine human rights and democracy in the U.S., stating, "This behaviour is appalling. The U.S. Congress and the President must hold the CCP accountable immediately."

U.S. Congressman Tom Tiffany informed The Dajiyuan that the U.S. should "hold the CCP accountable" for its escalating transnational repression of groups like Falun Gong and should "terminate the permanent normal trade relations with China (the CCP)."

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), told The Dajiyuan that there is "zero tolerance" for the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) transnational repression of vulnerable groups, including Falun Gong. He emphasised that this issue is not only a matter of national security but could also lead to acts of terrorism. The U.S. must "respond more forcefully." 

At a forum on Capitol Hill focused on resisting the CCP's transnational repression, Congressman Scott Perry described the CCP as a transnational criminal organisation. He warned that individuals involved in the CCP's repression could face sanctions, imprisonment, or deportation, stating, "If they participate in any of this, they will spend the rest of their lives in prison." 

On July 31, 2025, bipartisan lawmakers from both the House and Senate introduced the Transnational Repression Policy Act (H.R.4829, S.2525) to combat the CCP's increasingly aggressive transnational repression efforts. 
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