According to Richard Chen, dancers Robert Curran and Lucinda Dunn were told that if they danced at the event on February 18 it would hurt their chances of getting visas to visit China. Australian Ballet is currently planning a tour to China.

A spokesperson for the Chinese consulate confirmed for the AAP that the dancers had been advised not to perform at the event. The two dancers were not available for comment.

Last year, Chinese officials deported a member of the Sydney Dance Company during a tour of China because he was allegedly carrying Falun Gong materials.