Threats Against UK Prime Minister Over Shen Yun Performances

The internationally acclaimed performing arts company, Shen Yun, has encountered a series of threats, including violent messages aimed at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, during its recent tours in the United Kingdom.

The US-based dance group, famed for its advertisements in the London Underground and its sold-out shows across various cities, has just wrapped up performances in Birmingham, Oxford, and London. Established in 2006, Shen Yun celebrates what it terms traditional Chinese culture that predates the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

While performing in Oxford last week, organizers reported receiving a threatening email in Chinese from an unidentified individual who warned of a terrorist attack should the performance proceed. The ominous note stated: “If you proceed with Shen Yun, expect a surprise terrorist attack. I am not joking.”

A separate English-language threat received in Birmingham during the New Year explicitly warned: “Cancel the Shen Yun performance, or British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be shot from a distance!”

These threats are part of a persistent pattern the troupe has encountered on its global tours. Over the last 19 years, Shen Yun claims to have reported more than 158 threat incidents worldwide. In February of last year, another venue in Northampton received a message indicating explosives had been planted in the theatre, threatening: “Should the Shen Yun show commence, we will detonate these explosives and level the theatre! This is no joke!”

A similar warning was issued before a show in Woking, where the audience was threatened with being shot if the performance went on. Nevertheless, all shows have proceeded despite these intimidation tactics.

Leeshai Lemish, a master of ceremonies for Shen Yun, mentioned that the group diligently reports all threats to law enforcement. “Every incident is reported to the police, who conduct thorough searches of the venues. However, they have all turned out to be hoaxes,” he affirmed.

Shen Yun attributes the threats to opposition from the Chinese government, claiming that its performances clash with CCP ideology. The troupe is linked to Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that is banned in China and accused by Beijing of promoting anti-scientific beliefs. However, Shen Yun contests these allegations, describing its mission as cultural and artistic in nature.

In light of the threats, the troupe now travels with enhanced security measures. Lemish noted an incident where their vehicle tires were slashed, hindering their mobility. Additionally, there have been reports of threats against their female performers, necessitating security arrangements at their accommodation.

Suspicion regarding the origin of these threats hints at Chinese involvement, especially following a series of similar occurrences in Taiwan last year. According to Shen Yun, repeated threats prompted the engagement of Taiwanese intelligence and authorities in the US and Canada. Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission concluded that the campaign likely links back to the CCP.

The commission indicated: “We suspect these threats were coordinated by the Chinese regime, as the CCP has historically launched campaigns to silence and discredit Shen Yun since its inception in 2006.” They added that a US-based human rights organization has documented 135 instances of interference with Shen Yun performances in 38 countries, clarifying that “Chinese diplomats were involved in 81 of those incidents,” revealing the campaign's origins at the highest levels of the CCP.

In the UK, Thames Valley Police reported they had been alerted to a bomb threat against Shen Yun on January 10, 2026. A representative stated that the information was examined by Counter Terrorism Policing, which found no credible threat to the scheduled performances. “Ongoing inquiries are part of this investigation,” said the police.

A spokesperson from the Home Office reiterated, “The safety and security of all individuals within the United Kingdom remain paramount. Any foreign state attempt to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm individuals on UK soil is viewed as a threat to national security and sovereignty, which we will not tolerate.”

Despite the ongoing threats, Shen Yun continues to conduct its performances, underscoring its determination not to be intimidated.