Shen Yun Banned in China: Australian PM Evacuated Over Bomb Threats Linked to Performances
Feb. 25, 2026 — Canberra, Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge, after bomb threats emailed to Shen Yun performers demanded cancellation of upcoming shows or detonation of explosives at the site. The threats, sent in Chinese, prompted an investigation by Australian Federal Police, who found no suspicious items.
The emails warned:
If you insist on proceeding with the performance, then the Prime Minister’s Lodge will be blown into ruins and blood will flow like a river. [8]
Albanese later posted on social media that all was well, referencing his dog on alert. The incident occurred Tuesday evening local time amid Shen Yun’s international tour, highlighting pressures on the troupe Shen Yun banned in China.
Background on Shen Yun Banned in China
Shen Yun Performing Arts, founded in 2006, promotes traditional Chinese culture through classical dance and orchestral music. It is prohibited from performing in mainland China due to close ties with Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China in 1999 and labeled an “evil cult” and “public enemy number one” by the Chinese government. [1] [11]
Shen Yun states the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views traditional culture—including virtues like harmony and compassion—as a threat to its power, preventing performances there.
In China, for over seven decades, the communist regime has treated traditional culture as a threat to its power and even today it will not let Shen Yun in to perform. [4]
Chinese Government Perspective
Chinese diplomatic posts describe Shen Yun banned in China as a “banned CULT performance” sponsored by Falun Gong, accusing it of anti-science fallacies, mind control, and anti-China propaganda disguised as culture. The Latvian embassy warned on Dec. 7, 2024:
“Shen Yun” is a banned CULT performance.
The New York consulate in May 2025 called it a political tool for preaching cult messages and smearing China.
Ongoing International Tensions
Shen Yun faces embassy pressure on foreign theaters and threats against shows, including recent bomb scares attributed by performers to CCP transnational repression. A CBS News investigation (Feb. 23, 2026) detailed operations at Dragon Springs, New York, Falun Gong roots, and lawsuits alleging forced child labor. Performers reported death and bomb threats since 2006.
Social media, including a post by Jennifer Zeng (Feb. 24, 2026), linked the Australian incident to CCP sabotage, citing Epoch Times reports. A UK Home Office note (Nov. 2025) referenced threats tied to Falun Gong persecution. [13]
