US lawmakers raise concerns about Chinese national ballet performance in Washington

Two US lawmakers, including the chair of a hawkish congressional committee, are raising concerns about the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts’ decision to host the National Ballet of China, accusing the dance company of being a tool of China’s “political machinery”.

They are urging the cultural institution to reconsider its ties with the Chinese ballet company.

Representatives Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, and John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House select committee on China, sent a letter this week to Kennedy Centre chairman David Rubenstein and president Deborah Rutter regarding the NBC performances, which are scheduled from January 29 to February 2 in Washington as part of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

The letter, dated January 24, accused the NBC of being “controlled by the Chinese Communist Party” and stated that art in China was “a political instrument” used to disseminate propaganda abroad.

“While presenting a friendly facade to the American public via the ballet, this regime is actively persecuting writers, artists and other creative talents who dissent from the party line,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter also said three of the five leaders of the Chinese dance company were members of the Communist Party, and that director Feng Ying had held official positions, including in the National People’s Congress where members were “hand-picked” by the party.

“The National Ballet of China has embedded in it a Party Committee Office that is responsible for ensuring compliance with party directives. Hence, the National Ballet of China clearly is part of the CCP’s political machinery,” the letter argued.