In the Name of Mazu, Jesus, and Sun Yat-Sen
How often do you see someone invoking this collection: the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, Jesus, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of the Republic of China? That’s exactly what the person (people?) sending bomb threats to Taiwan has been doing.
“We have placed explosives in 98 Xueshi Rd (the theater address), immediately cancel all upcoming Shen Yun performances, and make a public announcement, if we do not see the announcement by tomorrow afternoon, we will set off the explosives, I swear to Mazu, this is no joke!”
“Multiple bombs have been placed throughout the theater. If Shen Yun dares to start the performance, the bombs will explode! I swear to Jesus, this is not a joke!”
“I swear to Sun Yat-Sen! ! I have placed explosives in the Tainan Cultural Center Performing Arts Hall. If you do not want to be blown into rubble, immediately cancel all future Shen Yun performance plans.”
With Shen Yun’s Taiwan tour in full swing, the list of entities who have received them is just as wild: Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Taiwan Ticketing Center, and local media, as well as the Weiwuying Opera House, Tainan Cultural Center, Keelung Performing Arts Center, and Taichung City Chung Shan Hall.
And yes, for those reading carefully, “Chung Shan” is another name for President Sun Yat-Sen. So in one email, the sender is swearing to Sun Yat-Sen; in another, threatening to blow up a theater named after him.