The prime minister was forced to evacuate his residence earlier this week due to a bomb threat linked to performances in Australia by the classical Chinese dance group, Shen Yun.
Threatening emails demanded that the shows be cancelled and falsely claimed that explosives had been placed around the Lodge.
Police are also investigating a separate bomb threat against a Gold Coast theatre hosting the group.
The Shen Yun group is linked to the Falun Gong spiritual movement and is performing across Australia in March.
What is Shen Yun?
Shen Yun is a dance performance that showcases Chinese traditional culture, arts and history.
The dance troupe, established by Li Hongzhi in New York in 2006, is accused of being propaganda for the modern spiritual movement Falun Gong.
The Falun Gong spiritual movement promotes meditation and breathing. (Reuters: File)
According to its official website, Shen Yun’s artists follow Falun Dafa (or Falun Gong) meditation exercises and its teachings for self-improvement.
In January, Chinese consulates in Sydney and Melbourne described Shen Yun as “a political tool used by the Falun Gong cult under the guise of spreading traditional Chinese culture to promote its cult doctrines and amass wealth”.
Bomb threat underscores complicated security environment
Chongyi Feng, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, said Shen Yun was more than just an average dance group.
“Elements of the company’s repertoire directly reference or depict the Chinese Communist Party’s suppression of Falun Gong,” Mr Feng said.
“This personal and political dimension arguably distinguishes the troupe from other dance or cultural companies whose performances are not so closely tied to contemporary political or religious conflict.”
What is Falun Gong?
Founded in China in the 1990s, Falun Gong’s practice is said to focus on healing body and mind through meditation and breathing — combining elements of Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
It’s been described as a quasi-cult, with founder Li claiming his teachings can heal followers from serious illnesses.
A Falun Gong follower stages a hunger strike during a protest at the treatment of their members in China. (Reuters: File)
The group has been criticised for its racist and homophobic views and its health claims that abhor modern medicine.
Why does the Chinese government hate them?
The show aims to revive traditional Chinese culture from before the communist period.
The dance group is backed by Falun Gong, which is regarded as a cult in China after a crackdown in July 1999.
The CCP has used multiple tactics to sway international opinion against Shen Yun.
A number of their performers and their family members have been persecuted in China.
Followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned in China. (Reuters: File)
Mr Feng said there was a symbolic competition between Falun Gong and the Chinese government over who had the authority to represent “authentic” Chinese culture.
“The Chinese Communist Party has increasingly emphasised nationalism … involving a renewed promotion of traditional Chinese culture — a notable change from earlier periods, such as the Cultural Revolution,” Mr Feng told the ABC.
“The tension lies in competing claims over cultural heritage and moral authority — who can legitimately present themselves as the true inheritor and guardian of Chinese civilisation.”
Where are they touring in Australia?
Shen Yun has performed in Australia every year since 2008 under the tagline “A show the world loves … but Beijing fears”.
During this time, Mr Feng notes that there has been no interference with their performances.
Insiders reveal the opaque world of Falun Gong
“Public criticism from Chinese diplomatic missions has occurred, but performances have continued,” he told the ABC.
The dancers will tour around Australia this year, performing in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
Seventy dancers are part of the troupe.
Eight equally large troupes have travelled to about 20 countries simultaneously on their current global tour, marking the 20th anniversary of the tour.
The costs of ticket promotion, accommodation, and travel are supported by local Falun Gong associations.
There is no evidence that the Chinese embassy or Chinese government was behind this week’s threats, with a government source cautioning against “jumping to any conclusions” and saying they could have come from a member of the community hostile to Falun Gong.
