By Ginika Igboke
The father of U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu says he would not allow his daughter to compete for China, citing the country’s human rights record and recalling his own escape decades ago.
Arthur Liu fled China in the 1990s due to his involvement in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. He said his 20-year-old daughter is “fascinated” by his life story—from his upbringing and decision to protest against the Chinese communist regime to becoming a wanted man, fleeing the country, and 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 on Feb. 18 in Milan during an interview with “China in Focus,” a program of NTD. “If China becomes a democracy and has respect for human rights and has a legitimate, fair legal system, I have no problems. I love China. I want to make it clear, I love China. I love the Chinese people.”
Alysa Liu became the youngest U.S. women’s national champion at age 13 before representing the United States at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. After briefly retiring from competitive skating, she returned to the sport and remains on the U.S. team for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Her story contrasts with that of U.S.-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who in 2019 chose to compete for China, her mother’s birth country. Gu’s decision has drawn attention 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 in the United States, organizing protests in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco and the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
“I continued to raise concerns about the human rights violations in China, the government’s persecution of the Uyghurs, and also the political dissidents,” he said. “I want people to become aware of what’s going on in China.”
According to Arthur Liu, Beijing has sent spies to monitor him. He said he once befriended an individual who later confessed to being a Chinese spy.
Before the 2022 Winter Games, he said he received a call from someone claiming to represent the U.S. Olympic Committee, requesting copies of his and his daughter’s passports. He refused, saying he was suspicious of the request.
Arthur Liu said the FBI later contacted him, warning that Beijing was spying on him and advising him to remain vigilant.
In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against five individuals accused of participating in a transnational repression scheme 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 Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu placed sixth in women’s singles and later earned a bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships that year.
Arthur Liu said his daughter returned to competition on her own terms.
“She decided which coaches to go to, what music to skate to, and when to practice, when to train, when not to train, what to eat, what to drink, and when to drive herself to the ice rink,” he said. “So 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, Alysa Liu won a gold medal in the figure skating team event. She is scheduled to compete in the women’s free skate on Feb. 19, aiming to become the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the event since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Her father said he believes she will continue her skating career after the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
“I think she has hinted that she will continue to skate,” Arthur Liu said. “She really has a gift in skating.”
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