Virtually every theater that we go to all around the world has either gotten a phone call or a letter from the Chinese embassy or the Chinese consulate to not have us performed.

From blackmailing governments to slashing company bus tires,

the Chinese regime has gone to extreme ends

to subvert an American performing arts group.

For thousands of years, Chinese culture has been very spiritual. However, when the

Communist Party took power in 1949, they started to eradicate all of these

belief systems so that they can instill Marxism.

What we play on stage reflects the very culture that they have worked so hard to eradicate

over the last 77 years.

As Shen Yun launches its 2024 world tour, I caught up with Shen Yun

master of ceremonies, Jared Mattson, and conductor Ying Chen, to understand a bit

more about their story, their mission, and the values they bring to their performances, which have touched millions, including me.

This is American Thought Leaders, and I'm Yanya Kelleck. Jared Mattson, Chen Ying, such a pleasure to have you on American thought leaders.

Thank you. It's a great pleasure to be here.

Yeah, thanks for having us.

It's amazing actually to be sitting in front of both of you because I think I don't even know how many years it's been now. It was 2008. You came with Shen Yun to Poland.

I was involved in bringing you guys over for the first time.

I remember the sold-out shows, actually standing,

he created the standing room only area.

It was an incredible experience and I learned so much and I've

wanted for a very long time to actually invite you to talk about Chin Yun and some of the

challenges and some of the amazing things that you've

...