And in other news... members of Shen Yun Performing Arts were in Washington, D.C. earlier this week... voicing their frustrations over the forced cancellation of their shows in Hong Kong. As our correspondent reports, it's weighing on the hearts of the performers.
[Cindy Liu, Shen Yun Principal Dancer]:
“I was also really hoping that we could bring this show to Hong Kong.”
[Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun Master of Ceremonies]:
“This is a position we were forced into.”
[Leon Chao, Shen Yun Principal Dancer]:
“So many faces of devastation and despair.”
[...]
[Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun Master of Ceremonies]:
“Our entire technical crew, in fact, were not granted visas. In fact they were refused visas.”
[...]
Not so, says Shen Yun stage manager Gregory Xu.
[...]
Xu says the visa denials point to a larger issue.
[...]
The decision has disheartened Shen Yun performers like principal dancer Cindy Liu.
[Cindy Liu, Shen Yun Principal Dancer]:
“I think that it’s really unreal and devastating, that. Because over the past four years we’ve traveled over the world to more than 20 countries and hundreds of cities and we’ve been really warmly embraced.”
[...]
[Gregory Xu, Shen Yun Stage Manager]:
“We are trying to bring it back. They are really scared. From the beginning of the Shen Yun show they interfere with it all over the world.”
The Hong Kong show—cancelled at the last minute—was the closest Shen Yun had ever come to being able to perform in China. And not being in Hong Kong right now isn’t easy for them to come to grips with.
[Cindy Liu, Shen Yun Principal Dancer]:
“Nothing means more to me than to see the smiling faces in the audience. Their applause… their cheer. It just really touches me to know that I was able to be a part of something that brought so much happiness to people everywhere.”
[Leon Chao, Shen Yun Principal Dancer]:
“It’s just very upsetting for me to know that I’m in D.C. right now when I should be in Hong Kong performing.”
NTD News, Washington.
