China blocks magazine over Taiwan democracy report

A Chinese magazine dedicated to history has been forced to halt the release of a February issue that was to chronicle Taiwan’s democratic transformation, a Shanghai-based newspaper reported yesterday.

“National History” magazine, published by the state-run Chengdu Xianfeng Culture Media Co. based in Sichuan province, had compiled a series of articles authored by Taiwanese writers for a special February edition titled “Taiwan’s Foot,” the Oriental Daily News reported.

Organ harvesting Conference calling on Taiwanese to pay more attention to human rights issues in China

(Taipei Times)– Despite economic growth, the condition of human rights in China is still very bad — especially when it comes to the persecution of religious and minority groups by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) — participants at a conference on human rights in China said yesterday, calling on Taiwanese to pay more attention to human rights issues in China.

“Taiwanese are not paying enough attention to issues related to human rights and democracy in China, and I think the first thing we can do to help China democratize is show more concern,” said Maysing Yang (楊黃美幸), deputy executive director of Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, a sponsor of the conference organized by the Association for Free Communication.

Taiwan satellite carrier agrees to renew independent TV station’s contract

Without fuss or ceremony representatives of New Tang Dynasty Asia Pacific and Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) inked a new contract on June 27, assuring that NTD AP will continue broadcasting via satellite to Asia, including mainland China. Backers of the station say the new deal closes one chapter on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing attempts to cut off NTD AP’s influence on the Chinese people.

The contract signing ended a controversy that began in early April when CHT abruptly informed NTD AP it would not renew the station’s contract to broadcast on CHT’s satellite—a refusal that NTD AP characterized as illegal under Taiwan telecommunications law. NTD, the global network to which NTD AP belongs, is a media partner of The Epoch Times.

Chinese Version of ‘Bloody Harvest’ Released in Taiwan

The two authors of the book Bloody Harvest, who were also 2010 Nobel Peace Prize nominees, attended the launch for the Chinese translation of Bloody Harvest, held at the Legislative Yuan (the national legislature) in Taiwan on June 28.

Each of the two authors, David Kilgour, who was the former Canadian Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), and David Matas, the award-winning international human rights lawyer, spoke.

David Kilgour said that since 2006 he and David Matas had traveled to four continents and more than 40 countries, breaking through various obstacles to collect evidence, and arrived at the conclusion that large-scale live organ harvesting from Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) practitioners did happen and continues even today.

NTD AP and Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom Renew Satellite Broadcast Contract

[Ruey-lan Chang, CEO of NTD Asia Pacific]:
“On behalf of all of NTD AP’s staff, I’d like to thank Taiwan’s main and opposition parties, and the support from various channels, in helping NTD AP secure service with the ST-2 Satellite, which has state protection.”

On Tuesday, CEO of NTD Asia Pacific Ruey-lan Chang announced the renewal of its contract with Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom. It was signed on Monday evening. It ensures that our partner station will continue to broadcast NTD’s programming to the region, and to parts of mainland China.

Legislators Seek to Protect Independent TV Broadcasts to China

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers in the United States, Hong Kong, and Taiwan believe the Chinese Communist regime is responsible for a move that would potentially bar New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Television from broadcasting to mainland China. They are asking the government of Taiwan to act to protect press freedom.

In a letter to Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher wrote, “The democratic government of Taiwan should be encouraging the spread of ideas favoring freedom and traditional values across the strait.”

Taiwan General arrested, accused of spying for China

By Rich Chang, Staff Reporter, The Taipei Times-

A general has been arrested over claims he spied for China, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced yesterday, as it scrambled to limit the damage from what it called the worst espionage case in 50 years.

Wang Ming-wo (王明我), acting director of the General Political Warfare Bureau, told a press conference yesterday that Major General Lo Hsien-che (羅賢哲), head of communications and electronic information at the Army Command Headquarters, was detained on Jan. 25.

Agents from national security bureaus and military prosecutors searched Lo’s office and room in the Army Command Headquarters and his residence and seized confidential documents, Wang said.

Taiwan Passes Motion to Keep Out Mainland China Human Rights Violators

By Geng Yuxian, Epoch Times Staff, Dec.9, 2010 –

Taiwan’s parliament, the Legislative Yuan, passed a provisional motion on December 7 to bar entry to Chinese Communist Party officials who are suspected of or are being sued for serious abuses of human rights.

The motion was proposed by 16 legislators from the two major political parties and was unanimously passed three days before International Human Rights Day on December 10.

Containing China in new cold war

By Paul Lin (林保華), The Taipei Times, Taiwan, Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 –

On Monday, the US and South Korea held their second joint military exercise in a month. The scale of the drill outstripped that of the first drill, held late last month, by three times. Despite both Chinese and North Korean threats, the US and South Korean insistence on the drills was a response to North Korea’s alleged sinking of the South Korean Cheonan warship. It was also a reaction to China’s recent claim that the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea are part of its core interests.

North Korea denies responsibility for the sinking, and China pretends to remain neutral. However, the North launched its invasion of the South 60 years ago with Chinese and Soviet backing, but China covered up its support with lies and has never admitted or apologized for its backing. How, then, can we possibly believe China’s denial and profession of neutrality today?

The Korean War should not be forgotten because it was the first war in which the communist camp tried to expand their influence by force after World War II, and the free world successfully beat them back. It also marked the beginning of the Cold War era.

To block the communist expansion, NATO developed an integrated military structure in Europe and the East Asian region developed the “crescent-shaped” island chain defense line consisting of South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. However, the two were unable to join up and form a single defense line against communism because China made every effort to co-opt India, Indonesia, Burma, Pakistan and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). In 1955, China called the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, to form a third international force. Meanwhile, China and the Soviet Union were to various degrees inciting Middle Eastern countries against Western democracies.

After the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died in 1953, China and the Soviet Union started to fight for dominance of the international communist movement, and their discord could not be resolved during the 1960s. Later, the Soviet Union tried to use the chaos of the Cultural Revolution to tame the arrogant former Chinese leader Mao Zedong (毛澤東).

This led to the Sino-US cooperation in the 1970s. Finally, the Soviet Union collapsed in the late 1980s, partially because its national strength was consumed by the arms race against the US.

The Chinese Communist Party is extremely tricky. After the Cultural Revolution ended, it pretended to be an ally of the West.

In the 1980s, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) ordered the party to keep a low profile, and in the 1990s, then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin’s (江澤民) US policy of “increasing trust, reducing trouble, promoting cooperation and demoting confrontation” duped Western democracies into offering Beijing economic assistance.

In the 21st century, especially after financial crisis struck in 2008, the true face of the “Chinese empire,” described by China expert John Tkacik, then started to gradually show.

For example, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) was overbearing and arrogant toward US President Barack Obama at an international conference, saying that the Chinese army would lay down the rules for the US. Eventually, the US Department of State and the Pentagon gradually synchronized their views on the issue.

China’s toughness did not scare the US, but it did frightened its neighbors, and South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and India clearly hoped the US would stay in Asia. Even communist Vietnam hopes so.

As a result of China’s domestic crackdown on Muslims, Middle Eastern countries have also distanced themselves from China. Mongolia, which shares its southern border with China, has become a democracy. Former Soviet countries are also transforming into democracies and they are increasingly cautious about China. Russia no longer sells advanced weapons to China and the operations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have ground to a halt.

China is no longer contained by a crescent-shaped defense line, but it is now completely surrounded. The only exceptions are Myanmar and Iran, which adopt a firm anti-US stance. However, the domestic situation in both those countries is relatively unstable. Today, a new cold war between China and the US has replaced the old one between the US and the Soviet Union.

China is not unaware of the current international situation and that is why Chinese President Hu Jintao’s (胡錦濤) adviser Zheng Bijian (鄭必堅) has reshaped China’s “peaceful rise” into “peaceful development.”

However, Jiang and Hu, who both tried to curry favor with the Chinese military to bolster their power, have spoiled it with luxury and pleasure. In terms of economic development, totalitarian rule is causing social tensions to increase steadily. The question is, will the multinational corporations will stand by the totalitarian rulers for their own economic benefits once China descends into turmoil?

Although Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙) was notorious for cooperating with the Russians and suppressing provincial autonomy, he said in a famous remark that the global trend toward freedom and democracy was going forward with great strength. Those who follow the trend will survive; those who do not will perish.

Which side should President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) take? From a long-term perspective, Taiwan’s path is twisted, but our future remains bright.

Paul Lin is a political ­commentator based in Taipei.

– The Taipei Times

Legislative reports confirm ECFA with China risks for Taiwan

The Taiwan News, July 29, 2010 –

The substantive risks to Taiwan’s national security, economic autonomy and democratic health posed by the controversial “Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement” with the authoritarian People’s Republic of China have been confirmed by reports drafted by the legal affairs and budget research departments of the Legislative Yuan.

Although the drafts have not yet been finalized, the nine reports are based on substantive research and investigation tours in both Hong Kong and Macau to examine the impact of the “closer economic partnership agreements” (CEPA) signed between the two PRC “special administrative regions” and the Beijing central government.

The preliminary results of the Legislative studies conflict sharply with the incessant attempts by President Ma Ying-jeou and numerous senior officials of his rightist Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) government to paint opposition to ECFA as “alarmist” or “ideological.”

Among the topics reviewed are the impact of the CEPA on social equity and employment, the economic impact of the revaluation of the renminbi, PRC economic policy toward Taiwan in the wake of the ECFA signing, the termination and conflict resolution mechanisms in ECFA, the economic impact of regional trade agreements focused on the ECFA, issues concerning the FTA between the PRC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the question of rules of original production in regional trade agreements, the experience of Hong Kong and Macau in permitting Chinese students to study in the two SARs and the influence of the CEPAs on news freedom.

The existence of this study indicates that the leadership of the Legislative Yuan was preparing for a detailed and substantive review of the ECFA and was not planning to simply immediately refer the draft pact and four associated sets of legal revisions for immediate second reading, a decision that excluded article by article review and discussion in legislative committee.

The release of this report before July 9 could well have raised sufficient public concern to stymie the ramming of the referral of the ECFA package to a second reading over the physical objections of opposition Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers, especially since its contents confirm that the issues raised by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen and numerous economists were valid.

Warnings for the future

For example, unlike the Ma government, the Legislative Yuan report clearly warned that PRC leaders have historically displayed strategic “consistency” and “continuity” and acknowledged that Beijing defines the ECFA as a pact signed “under the one-China principle” and that the touted benefits in “international space” and “economic cooperation” are offered “under the precondition of the ‘one China principle.”‘

Moreover, the Legislative report cautioned that the PRC could adopt a negotiating strategy of “initially making concessions and then using such “benefits” to compel Taiwan to accept political negotiations” and use a possible “peace agreement” as an “peaceful unification framework agreement.”

However, unlike the Ma government, the Legislative report acknowledged that there were grave risks for Taiwan of falling into a ‘one China’ trap”‘ as political factors manifest an “invisible catalyst effect” and consolidate the PRC’s leadership advantage in promoting a substantive “one country, two systems” and creating the international impression that “Taiwan and the mainland have indivisible sovereignty.”

Ironically, PRC officials have already fulfilled the prediction by the Legislative Yuan report that Beijing would “uphold the one China principle” even with “more flexibility in interpretation” as shown by the affirmation by PRC Deputy Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng Monday that the ECFA was signed under the “one China principle” and that the PRC government continued to oppose any FTAs between Taiwan and any other country.

In sum, the reports by the legal affairs and budget offices of the Legislative Yuan confirm that concerns over the negotiation and structuring of the ECFA and its future economic, social, political and cultural implications and potential impact on Taiwan’s national security, sovereignty and democratic system (including news freedom) are absolutely not “alarmist” but should have been earmarked for consideration in the process of the negotiating strategy and the structuring of the ECFA…….(more details from The Taiwan News)

Shen Yun “An Eye-Opener”, Says Grammy Award Finalist in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Xiao Qing-Yang, a designer of album-packaging, has been a Grammy Award Finalist three times. For the past three years he has been seeing Shen Yun’s posters while overseas during the Chinese New Year. He thought that the Chinese people in New York and Los Angeles must have really liked to watch Eastern shows to celebrate the Chinese New Year. However, he didn’t expect that he would also see Shen Yun in Taiwan. He felt especially pleased.

After seeing the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company at the National Taiwan University of Arts on April 25, Mr. Xiao said, “I finally saw the show.”

When seeing the Shen Yun posters in overseas cities, Mr. Xiao thought that the show was only for overseas Chinese people to have some consolation for seeing Chinese dances during the Chinese New Year. He was happy for his friends in those cities to have a great Eastern show for the Chinese New Year. He happily said, “If I have the chance to see it in other cities next time, I must feel intimated.”

“I haven’t seen such an Eastern style of fairies, goddesses, and stories for a long time. I’m so happy to see them today! There are a lot of musicians and dancing artists here. Their abilities and performances were outstanding!” Mr. Xiao said.

He also said that Shen Yun’s artists performed wholeheartedly and it showed that they have worked very hard. “Whenever there was a plot, I had increasing admiration for Shen Yun, because it’s quite delicate in all details. I can tell that they have received very strict training. From my point of view as an artist, I think it needs a lot of time to practice to have such abilities to perform on stage.”

Mr. Xiao was particularly impressed by the dance Handkerchiefs. He said, “There was a program of the dance with handkerchiefs. I first thought that there were special wires designed in the handkerchiefs. Afterwards, I found there was none. The handkerchiefs were flying in the air completely dependent on their superb skills. … It’s an eye-opener.”

Mr. Xiao, born in 1966, said that living in this world, he had felt there were a lot of things that couldn’t be understood or explained. Seeing the Shen Yun performance he said he saw a lot of delicate Eastern culture and the feelings that Eastern people have towards Gods, heaven, and earth. “Actually, I’m kind of feeling the situation that it seems we were also Gods coming to the world. After cultivating something, we are then preparing to go back to heaven.”

He said he felt that seeing such an artistic representation was a great encouragement. “Today I saw such a show, which seemed to remind me of something, like what I come here [to the world] for! Although I haven’t found an exact answer, I am glad to have an opportunity to see such a show.” (The Epochtimes)

Taiwan’ Former Deputy Minister “see the delicate side of our culture” from Shen Yun Show

TAICHUNG, Taiwan— Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company staged its second show in Taichung City at the Hui-Sun Auditorium of National Chung Hsing University on the afternoon of April 17. Dr. Chiu Tai-san, assistant professor in the Department of Financial and Economic Law, Asia University, said, “It is truly an honor for me to watch the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts group. I have not seen it before.” Before joining Asia University, Dr. Chiu held several important positions in the government, including Deputy Minister of Mainland Affairs Council, Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung City Government, and Member of the Legislative Yuan.

“I wanted to view the show several years ago when I was still in the U.S.,” said Professor Chiu, referring to his awareness of Shen Yun’s reputation. He added, “I am very happy today that I can view such a magnificent show in Taichung—my birthplace.”

After watching the show, he said, “From the dancing programs of Shen Yun, especially those that manifest the Chinese culture, we see the delicate side of our culture.”

He continued, “The singing solo “Hesitate No Longer” performed by Ms. Huang Pi-ju received a lot of “Encore” from the audience.” Professor Chiu admired the soprano’s singing performance very much. The enthusiasm of the audience and the repeated cries of “Encore” also affected him.

“I noticed that many people have their entire families come and watch the show. It is clear Shen Yun performance is a cultural event with great significance,” pointed out Dr. Chiu, as he observed that the show was attended by many young children and older people.

Professor Chiu came to watch the show with a friend, hoping that his friend can know Shen Yun’s wonderfulness. He said, “For so long, I have given very high praise to performances like Shen Yun ever since I was a legislator or held positions in government offices.” (by The Epochtimes)

Taiwan Singer moved to tears by the Chinese culture presented in Shen Yun show (Video)

NTD TV via Dailymotion.com-

This is the second time singer Chen Shuang has seen a Shen Yun performance. This time around, one particular dance moved her to tears.

[Chen Shuang, Hakka Singer]: (Chinese,female)
“I really cried very quickly, it really deeply made me feel that we are all the gods and Buddhas reincarnated on the earth. I feel we should use the limited years we have here to develop the beauty and goodness of our traditional Chinese culture, our divine culture. So I really thank Shen Yun, so whole heartedly making use of our culture, a divine culture.”

Ms. Chen says she was especially grateful for the efforts of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

[Chen Shuang, Hakka Singer]: (Chinese female)
“I tell everyone, on television you cannot feel that kind of beauty of our Chinese culture, that kind of charm, you must experience it in person and you will be as moved as I am. Everyone around where the four of us were sitting were all shedding tears. Originally I wanted to hold it in, but when I saw everyone wiping their tears, I wanted to say I just can’t hold it in anymore, and I was stealthily wiping my eyes like this.”

Ms. Chen says an experience like attending Shen Yun provides elation, a sense of loyalty and identity.

NTD News, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.

Protecting our freedom of in Taiwan: EDITORIAL by The Taipei Times

Thursday, The Taipei Times, Taiwan, Apr 08, 2010-

As growing numbers of Falun Gong practitioners flee persecution in China, they are coming to the attention of overseas Chinese. Protest activities where they hold up banners and arrange press conferences accusing China of persecution are spreading all over the world. Falun Gong activities are a common sight on the streets of Taipei, which is why it was surprising that police fined one of the movement’s adherents for distributing flyers in front of Taipei 101.

Interior designer Hsu Po-kun (許柏坤) challenged the fine, and, fortunately, the Taipei District Court decided he did not have to pay up. Had that not been the case, it would have been a dark smudge indeed on freedom of expression in Taiwan.

Hsu often goes to Taipei 101 to display protest signs aimed at Chinese tourists that accuse the Chinese government of violating human rights and suppressing Falun Gong. On Dec. 4, he was fined NT$300 for obstructing traffic. Hsu brought the case to the Taipei District Court, where Judge Lin Meng-huang (林孟皇) ruled that the police officer who charged him had interfered with Hsu’s freedom of speech and dismissed the fine. In the verdict, Lin also criticized China for restricting people’s freedom of speech and called on the Taiwanese government to protect human rights.

To break China’s blockade on news about Falun Gong and protest China’s treatment of Falun Gong practitioners, its adherents in Taiwan often display placards and banners at Taipei 101, a popular attraction for Chinese tour groups. In democratic Taiwan, this falls under the constitutionally protected freedom of speech, and must be respected. Police interference in these demonstrations is unacceptable.

China suppresses freedom of speech and persecutes Falun Gong members, which has sparked strong criticism from international human rights groups. If the impression is created that the authorities are handing out fines to Falun Gong members for engaging in legal and constitutionally protected protests, it would deal a serious blow to Taiwan’s democratic and human rights image. The government’s strongly pro-China policies and its constant and deliberate attempts to avoid upsetting China seem to be having an effect on the lower levels of law enforcement, which could result in attempts to restrict the Falun Gong demonstrations as law enforcers follow the cues of the central government’s attempts to please China. This is a good example of how the administrative system has degenerated.

No other democracy has banned or fined Falun Gong followers. Even when one member made her way into the White House to protest when Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) visited former US president George W. Bush, she was quietly removed from the scene, but no charges were filed.

If Hsu’s fine had been confirmed, Taiwan would have become the laughing stock of the democratic world. Just like Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama or the Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, Falun Gong practitioners are not violent. Their human rights must be protected, and as long as their protests are peaceful, their freedom of speech remains constitutionally protected.

China does not subscribe to the internationally recognized values of human rights and freedom, and it therefore lacks the respect of the international community. The areas of freedom and human rights make up the most glaring differences between Taiwan and China, and this is the most fundamental reason why Taiwanese do not want to accept Chinese rule.

This incident is a very good lesson in human rights, democracy and freedom for Taiwan and clear evidence of the judiciary’s independence from the administrative branch. Even if administrative powers have sometimes been abused, the judiciary can still correct the mistakes of the executive branch and guarantee freedom and human rights in Taiwan.

– The Taipei Times

“Shen Yun demonstrated the authentic characteristics of Chinese people- gracefulness, strength and beauty, and it made me feel proud”, says Taiwan Women’s Association Board Member

TAINAN, Taiwan— Shen Yun Performing Arts has caused quite a stir in Taiwan and many celebrities in artistic circles were drawn to seeing the show because of its good reputation. Accompanied by her husband who is a medical doctor, Ms. Lin Yongqui, Standing Board Member of the Tainan Women’s Association, was one of those who attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s show in Tainan on March 3. She was deeply touched by the connotations of the Shen Yun show that her eyes brimmed with tears from time to time. She added in excitement, “I am in the mood that I feel like sharing it with others.”

This was the first time she watched Shen Yun and Ms. Lin mentioned that the show was completely beyond her expectations. “The contents of the show and the way it was presented were actually something regarding human’s longing for the spiritual realm of truthfulness, compassion and gracefulness. So what I saw just now was a performance with profound meanings,” she added. Though she appreciates watching performing arts year round, Ms. Lin said that she has never seen a gorgeous show like this. She continued, “The body language, choreography and the design of the costumes were so exquisite that it was indeed a feast for the eyes.”

Ms. Lin praised Shen Yun for its perfect presentation of Chinese dances. She said, “The performance of the dance Flowing Silk was amazingly good. It was beyond my imagination that Chinese dance could be performed so gracefully.” She mentioned that she was fascinated by the authentic Chinese culture illustrated by Shen Yun, and she was proud of being Chinese. “It [Shen Yun] demonstrated the authentic characteristics of Chinese people, i.e. gracefulness, strength and beauty, and it made me feel proud. I think such beautiful things can be introduced to the outside world.” She explained that though she saw performing arts overseas from time to time, she was surprised to find the broad and profound essence of the traditional Chinese culture showcased by Shen Yun today. She thus regarded Shen Yun as “our treasure,” and it should be promoted worldwide.

As she is familiar with music, Ms. Lin greatly praised all of Shen Yun’s vocalists. She said, “Their voices were very exquisite, and the [lyrics] had profound connotations, so l like them very much,” she exclaimed.

What moved Ms. Lin the most was the program Nothing Can Block the Divine Path, which depicted the current day persecution of practitioners of the spiritual discipline Falun Gong by the Chinese communist regime. She said, “A family of three originally led a happy life, but the happy family was broken and the family members became destitute and homeless due to the persecution perpetrated by the evil forces. … So, when I saw the Buddha descended from heaven to save the sentient beings, I was almost in tears. It was really very touching.” She added that she was deeply moved when the evil was eventually overpowered by righteousness. Inspired by the scenes that Falun Gong practitioners were steadfast in their cultivation under persecution, she exclaimed.

After knowing that all the Shen Yun artists are overseas Chinese, she was delighted because these overseas Chinese have carried forward the traditional Chinese culture into the future. She said, “After the Great Cultural Revolution launched by the Chinese Communist Party, many precious things were lost. With the endeavor of these overseas Chinese [performers of Shen Yun], those valuable things have been preserved. I was very delighted and deeply moved today, because I saw those pure elements [in the show].” ( The Epochtimes)

Shen Yun “brings back the essence of the glamorous Chinese culture”, Says Taiwan University President

TAINAN, Taiwan— With a friend’s recommendation, president of the Hsing Kuo University of Management, Dr. Lin, Tsai-Yuan, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s show for the first time on the evening of April 2. After seeing the first half of the show, he exclaimed, “The 5,000-year Chinese culture was fully illustrated by Shen Yun, as it brings back the essence of the glamorous Chinese culture from the past. It is really great. Everyone should see the show.

“What was demonstrated by Shen Yun was the coordination, strength and gracefulness. … During the performance, there was seamless coordination. When so many performers danced together, they had perfect tacit agreement, so that the performance could be so perfect and wonderful.”

Talking about the creative backdrops, Dr. Lin said: “By using computer technology, many beautiful scenes can be presented on the screen. They are different from traditional ones that need to be changed manually. I think this is a great inspiration.” He also praised the perfect coordination of the backdrops and the program. For instance, when the Tibetan dance was performed, the scenery of the snow-capped mountains in the Tibetan Plateau was presented on the dynamic backdrop; while a slower program Flowing Silk was performed, the scenery of a quiet lake was selected.

Dr. Li also said that he liked the Miao folk dance [In a Miao Village], as the costumes were very colorful, their dancing skills were exceptionally good, the dancers were slender and light footed, and they changed movements very quickly and beautifully. “I think the biggest characteristic is that performers changed positions very swiftly, from one side to the other side, back and forth, which made me feel very happy,” he continued.

In addition, he especially praised the Shen Yun New York Orchestra for its excellent performance. He said, “This orchestra is exceptionally good, and we could tell the coordination between the dancers and the orchestra was perfect.” (The Epochtimes)

“Shen Yun is the world’s best”, says Taiwan jewellery company owner

TAINAN, Taiwan— The operator of a jewellery company based in Taiwan’s southern city of Tainan said Shen Yun put on the best performance she has ever seen. Ms. Huang Hsiu-Mei owns Shibaofang Jewelry Company and is a long-time supporter of the Rotary Club. After attending the New York-based dance company’s second performance in the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center, Ms. Huang said: “I’ve traveled around the world, and seen performances wherever I’ve been, but Shen Yun is the world’s best. It was too good! Just incredible!

Ms. Huang added that she has seen a lot of dance performances abroad, but feels that Chinese dance has the most character, and the deepest inner meaning. The Shen Yun performers’ beautiful outfits melded perfectly with the characters they were playing. The dancers had a soft and graceful demeanor, like floating heavenly maidens. She liked every performance, but the ethnic Miao dance gave her the deepest impression.

“The dancers were all so young, and they played their parts so well,” she said. “As they danced they were so light-footed. Every performance had its own special character, especially the Miao ethnic dance that was just outstanding.”

Huang Hsiu-Mei admired the dancers’ smiles during the various ethnic dances. She said their radiant smiles lifted the atmosphere of the whole theatre, and lifted the spirits of the audience. “They smiled the whole way through each movement. Their faces were nothing but smiles. It was great.”

She said the live orchestra accompaniment, especially the seamless combining of Eastern and Western instruments, was just perfect. It melded flawlessly with the dancers and the inner meanings they were expressing.

She said that Shen Yun wasn’t just the best Chinese dance performance, but it was the best performance in the world. “Out of all the Chinese dances, I think Shen Yun is the best,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of foreign dances, and no matter whether it’s the world’s best performances in Paris or Russia, and Shen Yun is different. It’s just outstanding.”…… (more details from The Epochtimes)

Shen Yun Show Schedule in April 2010 (Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand)

From Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Website –

Tainan, Taiwan	Apr 1 – 4
Aarhus, Denmark	Apr 2 – 3
Regina, SK, Canada	Apr 3
Edmonton, AB, Canada	Apr 5
Stockholm, Sweden	Apr 5 – 6
Changhua County, Taiwan	Apr 6 – 8
Winnipeg, MB, Canada	Apr 7 – 8
Linköping, Sweden	Apr 8
Kaohsiung County, Taiwan	Apr 10 – 13
Oslo, Norway	Apr 10 – 11
Chicago, IL, United States	Apr 10 – 11
Minneapolis, MN, United States	Apr 14
Dresden, Germany	Apr 14 – 15
Taichung, Taiwan	Apr 16 – 18
Vienna/Wien, Austria	Apr 17
Denver, CO, United States	Apr 17 – 18
Brno, Czech Republic	Apr 19 – 21
Omaha, NE, United States	Apr 20
Yunlin County, Taiwan	Apr 21 – 23
Milwaukee, WI, United States	Apr 23 – 24
Paris, France	Apr 24 – 25
Taipei County, Taiwan	Apr 25 – 27
Cardiff, United Kingdom	Apr 27 – 28
Auckland, New Zealand	Apr 30 – May 2
Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium	Apr 30 – May 11

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Above: video of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ show in Europe in 2009. Video length: 11’21”

Related:
– (video) Shen Yun in North America 2009 (1)-  USA: Reviews, Comments and Feedback from Audience
– (video) Shen Yun in North America 2009 (2) – Canada: Reviews, Comments and Feedback from Audience
– (video)  Shen Yun in Asia 2009 (1)- Korea, Japan: Reviews, Comments and Feedback from Audience
– (video)  Shen Yun in Asia 2009 (2)- Taiwan: Reviews, Comments and Feedback from Audience

Shen Yun show review, by City Councilor, Taiwan

TAINAN, Taiwan— Accompanied by his wife and daughter, Tainan City Councilor Lee Weng-Cheng watched the first show of Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company at the Tainan Municipal Culture Center. In an interview after the show, he said, “Watching Shen Yun perform is spiritual joy and an artistic feast.”

Mr. Lee praised the show, saying: “The show was marvelous. All of the programs linked up each other in a well-knit manner. Classical dances and music were integrated with modern lighting and acoustic technology, so well that the show is truly excellent.

“There are many programs in the show illustrating historical stories, which make the audience recollect traditional values, such as loyalty and filial piety, taught in our textbooks. No matter from which angle we examine it, these stories always awaken gigantic echoes and feelings in us,” said Lee in an emotional tone, referring to Shen Yun’s presentation of Chinese legends through dances.

“The dynamic backdrop is unusual. It integrates dances, arts, and music so well and so accurately. I believe prolonged training and continuous refinement must have been done before the dynamic backdrop could work with the performance so seamlessly. This is another delight for the audience. I cherish this opportunity to see a performance, like Shen Yun, in which we are deeply moved by the presentation of arts and stories,” said Mr. Lee.

The lyrics of the solos had profound meaning for Mr. Lee. He said: “I seldom saw such a performance in the past. Through understanding the tenor’s singing, the audience enlightens to truths and facts. The songs they sang have abundant connotations. They are really excellent.

“What moved me the most is the exhibition of the good and the evil of humanity. Falun Gong practitioners do not have freedom of belief in China. Through dances, Falun Gong practitioners won ultimate victory upholding the truth. The artistic presentation greatly affected us,” said Mr. Lee referring to the idea manifested in the show that good and evil have their own rewards.

Lee has been paying continuous attention to human rights issues. He was deeply moved when he saw the scene in which Falun Gong practitioners remained steadfast to their beliefs in spite of the persecution in China. He said: “Freedom of belief is a basic human right. No matter which country is concerned, freedom of belief should not be withheld. The persecution that Falun Gong has been suffering in China needs everyone’s attention. Through the arts, we have a far deeper understanding about these issues.

“I think we should speak up loudly. If we pay more attention and provide more support from Taiwan, a place where freedoms in politics, democracy, and beliefs are secured, we may make freedom and democracy take root in China quickly so that people can freely choose their beliefs,” said Lee. With the power from the general public in Taiwan, he sincerely hopes that people in China can enjoy freedom of belief soon. (The Epochtimes)

“Shen Yun is a mysterious and noble art of the divine”, says Chairman of Taiwan Association

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan— Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company made its debut performance at the Bureau of Cultural Affairs Kaohsiung City Government on the evening of March 30. The graceful and elegant classical Chinese dance deeply touched the hearts of those in the audience. Rong-jie Chen, founder and first and second chairman of the National Union Chinese Medicine Association of R.O.C., and chairman of the Kaohsiung Model Father Association, had high praise for Shen Yun after seeing the show. “Shen Yun is a mysterious and noble art of the divine,” he said.

Mr. Chen attended Shen Yun’s performance with his wife. He said that he was deeply touched by the opening of the show. “At the opening of the show, when the curtain slowly opened, the magnificent and majestic momentum immediately attracted the attention of the entire audience. The content was 5,000 years of the history and culture. The connotation of creating the divine history of China is miraculous. I felt very moved,” he said.

“I was very moved when seeing Shen Yun. It can be easily understood. I felt it’s a mysterious and noble art of the divine. It’s like demonstrating the language of the divine world to the people of the human world. It helps us understand the profound meaning of the vastness and mightiness of the divine world, teaches us the knowledge and wisdom of the divine beyond our human world, and awakens people’s compassionate hearts. It’s really incredible.” Mr. Chen talked about how the show inspired him.

Mr. Chen said that during the performance he felt at one with the performers, feeling that they were sharing what was in their minds. “Every movement and every expression of the dancers is wonderful and fabulous. In the performance, their soul of wisdom has reached a very deep and profound level of performance. It cannot be seen in other shows. No wonder Shen Yun causes a sensation wherever it tours around the world.” Mr. Chen said. (The Epochtimes)

The devil is in the details – long-term consequences of China’s investment in Taiwan

EDITORIAL, The Taipei Times, Apr. 2, 2010-

As Taiwan and China engage in the second round of negotiations on a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), it might be worthwhile to look at the long-term consequences of increasing Chinese investment in Taiwan.

Earlier this week, this paper referred to a recent report about possible People’s Republic of China (PRC) funding and involvement in the consortium of Hong Kong-based firms that has sought to acquire Nan Shan Financial Life Insurance Co. Earlier this month, financial regulators said they still had more than 40 unanswered questions about the application by one of the principal investors, China Strategic.

Nan Shan is the nation’s second-largest life insurer, with more than 4 million customers. If the Investment Commission approved the acquisition, this would be the largest takeover of a local financial group by foreign buyers in the nation’s history, which explains why regulators and the media have paid special attention to the case. However, Nan Shan is only one among many Taiwanese corporations from numerous sectors that are — or soon will be — coveted by Chinese and/or Hong Kong-based investors.

In the immediate term, attempted investments are already proving problematic. Nan Shan is one example; China Mobile’s attempt to acquire part of Far EasTone Telecommunications Co is another. What hasn’t been explored, however, are the long-term consequences of those acquisitions, even if, in the eyes of financial regulators, the investments are legal. Deals that involve murky and ill-defined consortiums, such as the one for Nan Shan, are especially troublesome. The reason for this stems from the fact that cross-strait investment — and by extension an ECFA — are all based on vague assurances by Beijing that, in the short term, may actually be implemented.

But what happens five, 10 years down the road after those companies have been acquired? What would Taiwan do if, say, the Hong Kong investors involved in the Nan Shan bid were exposed as having been controlled and financed by the PRC, or if Chinese firms, or the government, suddenly took over those Hong Kong investors? It is difficult to imagine that Nan Shan, or Taiwanese authorities, would decide to annul the investment, and next thing you know, Nan Shan would be controlled by Chinese investors and the personal information of more than 4 million Taiwanese made available to Chinese authorities.

What we must bear in mind is that despite laws that limit the share that Chinese investors can own in the Taiwanese financial sector — which prompted Chinese firms to turn to Hong Kong as an investment springboard — it will be next to impossible to ensure that the shareholder structure of those investing firms does not change in China’s favor at some point. In other words, the Chinese government could be using legitimate Hong Kong investors as Trojan Horses — legitimate on paper, but used as a means to an end — to penetrate the Taiwanese market.

Ironically, it is Hong Kong that provides the clearest warning to Taiwanese. In the years prior to handover in 1997, Beijing made a number of vague promises that the rights and welfare of the people of Hong Kong would be preserved. As Hong Kong academic and former legislator Christine Loh (陸恭蕙) wrote recently in her history of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Hong Kong, however, the devil is in the details. Little by little, the people in the special administrative region found that those vague promises foundered on the shores of the core interests of the CCP. Universal suffrage was delayed time and again. Harsh security laws were implemented. Certain liberties were curtailed — all in the name of Beijing’s core interests: stability and one-party rule.

If Taiwanese are not careful, it could happen here.

– The Taipei Times

Shen Yun Contains All of the Culture, Says Chair of Music Institute in Taiwan

CHAIYI, Taiwan— Jun-Hsien Chang, director of the Department of Music and chair of the Graduate Institute of Music in Chaiyi University, attended the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company in Chaiyi on the afternoon of March 27.

Mr. Chang believes that New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is not simply some artistic show, but the content included all of the culture, classical Chinese dance, music and art; a combination of an integrated whole.

He happily shared his feelings after seeing the show. He said that the combination of music and the traditional Chinese culture touched him most. The composers’ clever arrangement and combination of the Chinese and Western instruments was particularly special for him, evoking deep feelings.

“The music I’m familiar with is mostly classical music.It’s stunning to see that Shen Yun Performing Arts combines dancing, live orchestra, and backdrop-such diversity of changes.”

In addition, Mr. Chang admired the dynamic backdrop scenes. “The design of the backdrop is quite fabulous. The backdrops match the music. The clever changes with music and dances take people into the scene seamlessly. It’s very great.” Mr. Chang said that the backdrop was very advanced technology and the producers had put a lot of effort into it. “It is worthy of learning,” he said.

For the performance of the Shen Yun Orchestra, Mr. Chang thinks that Shen Yun Orchestra was high quality. “It’s excellent. The pieces written by the composers are very good. In the aspect of combination of the Chinese and Western instruments, it’s rich of imagination. The music contains a lot of the features and material of our Chinese music. It’s quite outstanding. Both the performance and the composing are quite marvelous.”

Of the dancing, Mr. Chang said, “Although I’m a layman, I can see that they have a very good foundation. The dancers are confident when performing and the dancing movements are very beautiful. Overall, I think it’s an artistic show.”

In conclusion, Mr Chang said,“Through personally being at the scene of the show, I experienced the feeling that Chinese culture can get inside your heart and directly feel that it can cultivate your temperament as well.” ( By the Epochtimes)

Taiwan’s Award-Winning Musician Calls Shen Yun Orchestra ‘Terrific’

TAIPEI, Taiwan— Renowned music arranger Jiang Yifan, who has received many awards, including the Gold Horse Award, the Gold Tripod Award, and the Gold Melody Award, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s sixth show in Taipei on March 22, along with his wife and a friend.

Mr. Jiang said the Shen Yun orchestral performance was terrific. “The combination of the Chinese and Western instruments was perfect. I felt the music was wonderful. The music was basically classical Chinese music, and the resonance of the Western musical instruments complemented the Chinese musical instruments very well,” he said.

As to the dance, he said, “The movements and formations were really spectacular, and their dancing in unison made the overall performance very beautiful.”

Mr. Jiang’s wife said, “The various ethnic folk dances this year had the characteristics of the harmonization between the soft and the hard. I think it is a good idea to have some innovation. With the perfect coordination, the ambience of the show was exceptionally good.”…… (more details from the Epochtimes)