TAIPEI, Taiwan—Tsou Ching-wen is the chief editor of Liberty Times, the highest-circulation daily newspaper in Taiwan. She has heard of the popularity of Shen Yun, but didn’t have a chance to attend its performance until Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company presented its fifth show at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on the evening of April 13.

New York-based Shen Yun brings to life 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through classical Chinese dance and music in an exhilarating show people will never forget. Shen Yun captures the spirit of a culture long lost. The show moves quickly through regions, dynasties, and legends. Ethnic and folk dances fill the stage with color and energy.

Marveling at the beauty of Chinese civilization showcased by Shen Yun, she said, “I have read a lot related reports [about Shen Yun], and I feel it is truly awesome since I’ve watched it in person.”

“It takes tremendous efforts in terms of the performance, color, music or choreography,” he added. “It [Shen Yun] can be compared to popular western operas we have seen.”

Deeply moved by Shen Yun’s spiritual connotations, she said, “In addition to art, it contains very strong messages of faith and freedom.”

“With the natural inclusion of faith in the art, it [Shen Yun] helps people gain further insight into the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.”

“Shen Yun promotes truth, goodness, and beauty, which are the universal virtues that are valued by all human beings,” she further explained. “Shen Yun has spared no effort to promote them [the universal virtues] in the form of art. It is very natural and very impressive.”

“Shen Yun naturally incorporates faith into art through unconventional means,” she continued. “This is indeed a rewarding experience.”

In fact, Shen Yun has been very popular around the world over the past 13 years. It now travels the globe with six equally-sized companies that tour simultaneously, but it cannot perform in China, and is even interfered by the Chinese Communist regime from time to time.

“Man is born with freedom of speech, which is something that should not be deprived of by anyone,” Tsou Ching-wen stressed. “It’s something that should definitely be defended by anyone.”

“It’s very touching that there is such a great group of people who are steadfast in their belief,” she further noted. “Everyone should have their own faith, regardless of what kind of faith one chooses to believe in.”

In view of the fact that many celebrities in the political, business, or media circles, and other elites in the mainstream society haven’t seen Shen Yun, the chief editor said, “It would be a great pity if it’s due to the lack of opportunity.”

“But it would be lamentable if it’s because they are afraid of [the interference from the Chinese Communist regime],” she emphasized.