Little was known by the outside world of the widespread devastation occurring in China during the Cultural Revolution from 1966-1976. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime attempted to eradicate China's 5000 years of civilization and replace it with communist ideology.
Indeed, little was commonly know about China for the first 40 years of Communist rule until images of Peoples Republic Army soldiers shooting unarmed student democracy activists appeared on international newscasts during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The world saw blood soaked corpses being carried away by frantic students and heard reports of tanks running over peaceful young people as they tried to flee.
China became known for its human rights abuses and repression of information, free speech, and spiritual practices. With the continual persecution of Tibetans, Muslim Uighers, Catholics, and House Christians, followed in turn by the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, the cover up of SARS leading to many preventable deaths around the world, and the tainted and deadly products endangering the international community, China's image has been largely negative.
Power of Money
But since China opened its economy in the 1980s, there has been money to be made, and the CCP has made silence regarding it's human rights abuses a condition for economic opportunity. It continually threatens the interests of those who might be tempted to speak out about these violations. Governments, businesses, and media have declined to take action against China's systematic abuse of its own citizens.
In fact, some companies have even directly enabled the abuses of Chinese citizens. Google, Yahoo! and Nortel, for instance have been asked by human rights organizations and a small number of conscientious politicians to justify their collusion with the Chinese regime's acts of repression.
Businessmen naturally want to avoid discussing the real costs—to conscience and one's good name—of doing business in China.
Some manufacturers avoid, when possible, applying the label "Made in China." Some retailers downplay or obscure the fact that products they sell are made in China. When they admit their products come from China, their stock response claims that their hands are tied; all of their suppliers manufacture in China; they understand their customers' concerns; etc., etc.
Even those making money in China often want to distance themselves from it, considering their connection with China a source of shame borne of necessity. Their unexpressed longing joins that of the most vocal human rights activist: for China to be radically different than what they know.
Both the businessman and the human rights activist perhaps don't understand that the key to a different China lies in China's own magnificent past. There one will find China's true beliefs and principles. This China, the true China, is now being made accessible to all.
The Real China
Almost every night of the week from now until the month of May, thousands will exhilarate in a wash of joy, relief, and hope as the Divine Performing Arts in its international tour of the Chinese New Year Spectacular introduces them to the grace, dignity and benevolence of true Chinese culture. A completely new perception of China and the Chinese people is revealed.
This revelation of the kindness, tolerance and compassion in China's genuine culture is bridging a gap in understanding between China and the international community. It is creating a vital sense of hope for China and a new world of possibilities for its future. It presents a Chinese culture with which all people, businesses, and governments would be proud to interact as it returns the rightful dignity and grace to China and her people.
The Spectacular is not only presenting audience members with a true perception of China's culture, but is further providing a positive example and encouragement to many Westerners who have seen a moral and spiritual decline in their own cultures and societies.
After seeing the show in Ottawa, Carleton University Law Professor and chair of the Committee on Asian Studies, Paul J. Davidson said, "It's an excellent show. It has a lot of values to it. I found it very enjoyable. It shows a lot of positive things for people to think about."
The show's message has touched audience members of all ages. Thirteen-year-old Benjamin Reyes said, "I thought it was very good. I saw that they had a lot of stuff that went a bit deeper than just a basic performance. It all combined to give a very strong impression."
Ottawa audience member Daryl Hooley observed, "It's really unfortunate that all of this culture has been suppressed for so long. It seems that China is really coming of age right now and people are much more aware in an economic sense. I'd like to see them understand China in a cultural sense, not just from the communist party's perspective."
Mr. Hooley's wife, Stephanie Chitpin, who is half-Chinese, felt a clearer awareness of her heritage and "what it is to be a Chinese and getting to know my own culture."
This bridge of understanding is being built from both sides, as many native Chinese are also becoming clear about their roots and history.
Chinese restaurant owner, Ren Qiangshen, said, "I was moved by every performance. I cried when I saw Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted. In Canada, we have freedom and dignity, but our Chinese fellows in China don't have basic human rights.
"We, overseas Chinese, should help and fight for them. I hope that every Chinese will come to learn the truth."
Michael Mahonen is a winner of the Gemini Award (Canada's Emmy) for acting. His first feature film as writer/director, Sandstorm, has won 29 awards at international film festivals. He is currently writing a script about the persecution of Falun Gong along with another script for an independent feature film.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com
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