MELBOURNE, Australia—Victorian state member of parliament Chris Crewther said it is important that Australians watch Shen Yun, not only for the performers’ “excellent” dancing skills and world-class orchestra, but also for the storylines that present China’s traditional culture.

Mr. Crewther said his children particularly liked the story about Pigsy, a character from the Chinese folktale “Journey to the West,” as well as other stories portraying values such as compassion and love that “unite us as humanity.”

New York-based Shen Yun showcases 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, portraying China’s rich cultural and spiritual tapestry before the tyranny of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Through a series of vignettes, Shen Yun performs ethnic, folk, and story-based dances, which are accompanied by an orchestral arrangement that blends Eastern and Western instruments, along with soloists, and an animated backdrop.

Currently, Shen Yun cannot perform in China since the company’s mission is to revive what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has sought to systematically destroy—China’s 5,000-year-old culture.

“Any nation around the world should support freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of thought and conscience, and religion—irrespective of where you are,” Mr. Crewther said.

“There were general things like the golden rule and things like that, which we share across cultures and across religions and with many humans around the world, not all of course, but that there is something beyond us here.

“That’s certainly something that was raised in the performance as well, and it helps people to think about those things.”

“It certainly expands my knowledge and understanding, particularly from a Chinese dance and Chinese artistry perspective,” he said.

“When we share ideas, when we have that diversity, we can develop better ideas and take the best from all around the world and hopefully improve our shared culture here in Australia as well.”