(Minghui.org) In a letter to the UK Falun Dafa Association dated February 4, 2026, UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis wrote: “Threats to physically target venues and individuals in this way are utterly reprehensible and are an affront to the freedoms and security we all enjoy in the UK.”

He reaffirmed that any attempt to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated and that the government takes the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety extremely seriously.

This follows a January 23, 2026, letter to the Association from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. That letter expressed the government’s firm opposition to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spies attempting to disrupt Shen Yun shows using threats.

Once again, the UK government has made clear its attitude regarding the same problem. As a high ranking official responsible for counter-terrorism, handling threats by foreign hostile forces and public security, Mr Jarvis’s letter further reiterated the government’s firm stance on the matter.

Dan Jarvis, UK Security Minister

UK Security Minister Jarvis’ letter to the UK Falun Dafa Association regarding threats targeting Shen Yun performances across the country

UK Security Minister: The Threats Are Utterly Reprehensible

He wrote: “Thank you for your email of 12 January highlighting the targeting of Shen Yun performances across the UK. My officials have passed the details you have raised onto the relevant operational partners. As you will be aware, the concerns raised last year regarding threats made towards venues hosting Shen Yun performances were reported to the police who undertook assessments of the incidents and were then able to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of participants.

“Threats to physically target venues and individuals in this way are utterly reprehensible and are an affront to the freedoms and security we all enjoy in the UK. This Government is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of expression, religion or belief. This includes promoting and protecting the rights of performance groups, such as Shen Yun, and their audiences.

“We will continue our work to uphold these core freedoms through the UK’s position at the United Nations, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement.

“Any attempt to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety extremely seriously. Through the committed work of our police and intelligence services, we are front footed in tackling such threats.”

Recap of Incidents: Several Theaters Threatened, Police Intervene

Shen Yun’s 2026 UK tour, which began on January 2, 2026, will span 12 cities and 52 performances. Several theaters where Shen Yun was booked received threatening emails from CCP operatives both before and during the performances. Some of the emails were written in Chinese, and some in English. The contents included threats of violence and insinuation of political repercussions.

The CCP targets Shen Yun because the company’s artists practice Falun Dafa, which has been brutally persecuted by the Chinese regime since 1999. Shen Yun’s performances also showcase the 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture before communism overran the country.

The theater in Birmingham, the company’s first stop, received two threatening emails that contained threats to individual safety and bomb threats. Before Shen Yun’s second stop in Oxford, the theater there similarly received several intimidating messages. One email explicitly said that venues that host Shen Yun would be permanently banned from hosting official Chinese state-level orchestras, ballet companies, and exhibitions in the future, meaning that such venues would be excluded from access to China’s vast cultural market and related sponsorship opportunities.

The affected theaters reported the incidents to the police, who immediately filed a case for investigation and stepped up security measures during the shows. Although there was some disruption, the shows continued as scheduled. Ticket sales have been brisk and nearly all shows were sold out.

A UK Government Office's Response: We Will Not Tolerate Transnational Repression

The UK Falun Dafa Association subsequently wrote to the UK government and related department regarding the threats. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) expressed its concern in a formal reply dated January 23: “The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive. The UK is concerned by the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners within China and overseas.”

The letter further clarified the government’s position: “This Government will stand firm on human rights and is committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, including Falun Gong practitioners, Shen Yun performers, and their audiences.”

The FCDO similarly reaffirmed the government’s main concern: “The first duty of the Government is to keep the country safe. We are committed to responding to foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. Any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated.”