Why China Sent Spies After Gold Medal-Winning Skater Alysa Liu And Her Father
Forbes Business
by Conor Murray, Forbes StaffFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
China’s decision to target gold medal-winning skater Alysa Liu and her father with alleged spying operations before the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing has raised eyebrows internationally. The reason behind this targeting? Their opposition to the Chinese government, rooted in their participation in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. This incident highlights the lengths China may go to silence dissent, particularly during significant international events.
Alysa Liu, a prominent figure in figure skating, had garnered attention not only for her athletic prowess but also due to her family’s controversial past. Her father had been part of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, which sought democratic reforms and were met with a harsh crackdown by the Chinese government. This protest remains a sensitive topic in China, often censored domestically but remembered internationally as a symbol of political repression.
From a
Verticals
businessfinance
Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/20/2026