The father of U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu has said he would not allow his daughter to compete for China, citing its human rights record and ongoing abuses and recalling his own escape decades ago.

Arthur Liu, who fled China in the 1990s because of his involvement in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, said his 20-year-old daughter was “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 told “China in Focus,” a program of NTD, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times, from Milan on Feb. 18.

“So I mean, 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 making her Olympic debut for the United States at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. After briefly retiring from competitive skating, she returned and remains on the U.S. team for the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Alysa Liu’s 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 recently drawn public attention in the United States, including criticism from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).

Arthur Liu said he has carried his activism from China to 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,” Arthur Liu said. “I want people to become aware of what’s going on in China.”

Beijing, meanwhile, has sent spies to watch him, according to Arthur Liu.

He recalled befriending an individual who, many years later, confessed to being a Chinese spy.

Alysa Liu and Arthur Liu. (Courtesy of Arthur Liu)

Before the 2022 Winter Games, he said, he received a call from someone claiming to be with the U.S. Olympic Committee, requesting copies of his and his daughter’s passports. He refused, he said, because he was “suspicious” of the request.

Later, Arthur Liu said the FBI contacted him, warning that Beijing was spying on him and advising him to remain vigilant and exercise caution.

In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against five individuals for allegedly participating in a transnational repression scheme against critics of the Chinese regime. One of their targets was Arthur Liu.

“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 finished sixth in women’s single skating and later won a bronze medal at that year’s World Figure Skating Championships.

Arthur Liu said that his daughter came out of her retirement “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 has won a gold medal in the figure skating team event.

She is slated to participate in the women’s free skate on Feb. 19, looking to be the first American woman to win a gold medal in 24 years since Sarah Hughes took home gold in 2002.

Her father said he believes that 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.”