The father of U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu says he would not permit his daughter to compete for China, citing the Chinese regime’s ongoing human rights abuses and reflecting on his own history as a former pro-democracy activist who fled the country decades ago.
Arthur Liu, who escaped China in the 1990s following his participation in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, said his daughter has long been inspired by his journey—from his decision to protest the Chinese Communist Party, to becoming a wanted dissident, and ultimately rebuilding his life in the United States as a political refugee.
“Obviously, it will be impossible for me to allow my daughter to compete on behalf of the Chinese government when the Chinese government is still abusing the basic human rights of the Chinese people,” Arthur Liu said Feb. 18 in Milan, Italy, during an interview with “China in Focus,” a program of NTD.
He emphasized that his stance is rooted in opposition to the Chinese government—not the Chinese people. “If China becomes a democracy and has respect for human rights and has a legitimate, fair legal system, I have no problems,” he said. “I love China. I love the Chinese people.”
Alysa Liu made history as the youngest U.S. women’s national champion at age 13 and represented Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. After a brief retirement from competitive skating, she returned to the sport and remains on the U.S. roster for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
Her position contrasts with that of Eileen Gu, the U.S.-born freestyle skier who chose in 2019 to compete for China, her mother’s birthplace. Gu’s decision has recently drawn renewed scrutiny in the United States, including criticism from Vice President JD Vance and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).
Arthur Liu said he has continued his activism since arriving in the United States, organizing demonstrations outside the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco and the Chinese Embassy in Washington to protest Beijing’s human rights record, including its treatment of Uyghurs and political dissidents.
“I continued to raise concerns about the human rights violations in China,” he said. “I want people to become aware of what’s going on.”
According to Arthur Liu, Chinese authorities have sought to monitor him overseas. He recounted befriending an individual who later admitted to being a Chinese spy. In the lead-up to the 2022 Winter Games, he said he also received a call from someone claiming to represent the U.S. Olympic Committee requesting copies of his and his daughter’s passports—a request he declined, citing concerns about its legitimacy.
Subsequently, he said, the FBI contacted him to warn that Beijing was monitoring him and advised him to exercise caution.
In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against five individuals accused of participating in a transnational repression campaign targeting critics of the Chinese regime.
Arthur Liu was identified as one of the alleged targets.
“I was concerned about Alysa going to China to compete in the Olympic Games,” he said. “So I was quite worried.”
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Alysa Liu placed sixth in women’s singles and later captured bronze at that year’s World Figure Skating Championships.
Arthur Liu said his daughter’s return to competitive skating came entirely on her own terms.
“She decided which coaches to go to, what music to skate to, and when to train,” he said. “This time around, she’s so happy skating, and I’m so thrilled for her as a parent. I want her to be happy.”
At the 2026 Winter Games, Liu secured a gold medal in the team figure skating event. She is scheduled to compete in the women’s free skate on Feb. 19, seeking to become the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the discipline since 2002.
Looking ahead, Arthur Liu expressed confidence that his daughter’s career is far from over.
“She really has a gift in skating,” he said. “I think she has hinted that she will continue to skate.”
