Chinese Dance Group’s Tour Triggers Bomb Threat Against Australian PM
11 hours ago
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A bomb scare at the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s official residence stemmed from written threats targeting a Chinese dance and music group banned by Beijing.
Details of the Bomb Threat
– Origin of Threat: In emails reviewed by local media and the BBC, performers from the Shen Yun group were warned to cancel their upcoming Australian shows or face explosives detonated at the Prime Minister’s residence in Canberra.
– Official Response: Australian authorities confirmed responses to an alleged security incident but reported no suspicious findings at the Lodge, the Prime Minister’s official residence.
– Evacuation: Albanese was evacuated from his home around 18:00 local time (07:00 GMT) and relocated for safety for several hours.
– Nature of the Threat: One email, written in Chinese, claimed that substantial quantities of nitroglycerin explosives had been placed around the Lodge. It ominously warned, If you insist on proceeding with the performance, then the Prime Minister’s Lodge will be blown into ruins and blood will flow like a river.
– Reporting the Incident: Shen Yun reported the threat to the police on Tuesday, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Shen Yun’s Stance
– Commitment to Performing: In a statement to the BBC, Shen Yun affirmed their intention to continue with scheduled performances in Australia and urged the government to conduct a thorough investigation.
– Response from Authorities: When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police refrained from discussing the email threats.
Political Reactions
On Wednesday morning, Albanese took to social media to thank law enforcement and the public for their support, sharing a light-hearted post featuring his cavoodle, writing, Toto on alert but all good. During an event later that day, he echoed the importance of tempering political debates, stating, It’s a reminder to take every opportunity to tell people to turn the heat down. We can’t take these things for granted.
Background Context
This incident follows a similar bomb threat in the U.S. last week that resulted in the evacuation of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Reports indicated that the threat was also directed at Shen Yun. According to a Wednesday statement from Shen Yun, the dance troupe has experienced numerous threats during performances across the globe in the past two years.
Shen Yun, established in 2006 by the religious movement Falun Gong, which has been prohibited in China since 1999, showcases elaborate dance performances often critical of the Chinese Communist Party. The group has faced accusations regarding the treatment of its employees, which they vigorously deny.
When questioned about the incident, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated she was not aware of the actual situation and reiterated, China consistently opposes all forms of violent attacks.
An anonymous source within the Australian government provided commentary to ABC, suggesting caution against jumping to conclusions regarding the origin of the bomb threat, which might have been made by individuals within the community opposed to Falun Gong.
Conclusion
The bomb threat related to the Chinese dance group’s tour serves as a stark reminder of the tensions surrounding cultural performances with political overtones. As events unfold, maintaining a dialogue that prioritizes safety and understanding remains crucial.