- Tue
- Jun 18, 2013
- Updated: 6:44pm
Trending topics
Sponsored topics
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan (Chan Kong-sang) is a Hong Kong-born actor and action choreographer best known for his role as Detective Inspector Lee in Rush Hour. He is notable for bringing humour to martial arts movies and, over the course of appearing in more than 150 films, has become one of the only actors to perform all of his own stunts. Chan, an ambassador for UNICEF/UNAIDS, has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. An operatically trained vocalist, Chan is also a Cantopop and Mandopop star, having released a number of albums and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred.
News›Hong Kong
CIVIL LIBERTIES
Jackie Chan criticises Hong Kong as 'city of protest'
Anger after movie star tells mainland newspaper his hometown has become ‘like South Korea’ and that it should limit the right to protest
Thursday, 13 December, 2012, 2:44pm
Jackie Chan
Action star Jackie Chan is under fire again for suggesting that Hongkongers' right to demonstrate should be limited.
It is the second time in three years that the kung fu star has made controversial remarks about restricting freedoms in the city where he was born.
In an interview with Southern People Weekly - part of Guangzhou-based Nanfang Media - published on Tuesday, Chan said: "Hong Kong has become a city of protest. The whole world used to say it was South Korea. It is now Hong Kong.
"People scold China's leaders, or anything else they like, and protest against everything.
When Jackie Chan made this documentary on Hong Kong earlier this year, the city was his 'true love'. Watch the video
"The authorities should stipulate what issues people can protest over and on what issues it is not allowed."
In April 2009, Chan came under fire at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan for saying Chinese people needed to be controlled.
Answering questions about mainland controls on filmmaking, Chan said at the time: "I don't know whether it is better to have freedom or to have no freedom. With too much freedom, it can get very chaotic. It could end up like in Taiwan."
He also said that he was starting to think "Chinese people need to be controlled, otherwise they will do whatever they want".
Chan later said his remarks had been taken out of context and twisted.
The Rush Hour star could not be reached for comment last night.
Leung Man-tao, a Hong Kong-based cultural critic who writes columns for mainland publications, said Chan's remarks were prejudiced and would deepen a misunderstanding about Hong Kong society among some mainlanders.
"Chan doesn't bother to understand why some Hong Kong people choose to take to the streets. He just tends to think that whatever the government does is correct," Leung said.
Chairwoman of the Civic Party Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said she was shocked by Chan's comments.
"I think it's a shame for the movie industry, because the freedom of expression is fundamental to his line of business," she said. "Just as the government cannot lay down rules on what movies can be made and what can't, he ought to appreciate that there should be no restrictions on which protests can be held and which cannot, as long as they comply with the law."
Political scientist Dixon Sing Ming, from the University of Science and Technology, said: "It seems that Chan is almost detached from the daily lives of the people of Hong Kong."
Dr Ma Ngok, a political scientist at Chinese University, said the remarks reflected Chan's ignorance.
"It is a simple fact that we have the freedom of expression, and it is already accepted as a baseline of a civilised society."
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as JACKIE CHAN HITS OUT AGAIN AT HK LIBERTIES
After reading this article, people also read
markshaw Dec 19th 2012
10:28am
10:28am
Most other country's musicians and actors tend to take up various social issues and use their fame to publicise the cause. In HK it's hard to find one single "artist" who stands up for any such cause that is not promoted by the government. It's pretty pathetic.
pangkf Dec 15th 2012
10:40pm
10:40pm
Forgive him! His boss is China now. He is trying to please his boss. So sad!
maryting Dec 15th 2012
2:09am
2:09am
Did he think twice before he say something. Did he really understand why people are going out to protest. Did he really know what is happening in HK?
SeoKungFu Dec 14th 2012
8:20pm
8:20pm
Jackie Chan to the people : "Don't dare protest or I'll serve your butts a side kick!".
Brace yourself, Jackie, I'm coming to your city !
Brace yourself, Jackie, I'm coming to your city !
whymak Dec 14th 2012
3:43pm
3:43pm
So what are these 流口水博士 academics, politicos struggling to be scientists, and other bananas quoted here trying to tell us? Jackie Chan's action movies are a bigger fraud than political science and mindless demonstrators?
Am I glad I don't have anything to do with educatertainment. Yes,while mindless chants of slogans are not very musical, the "march of lobotomized zombies" with a good sound track qualifies as entertainment.
Am I glad I don't have anything to do with educatertainment. Yes,while mindless chants of slogans are not very musical, the "march of lobotomized zombies" with a good sound track qualifies as entertainment.
amenka Dec 14th 2012
11:52am
11:52am
I AM SORRY JACKIE, I LOST ALL THE RESPECT I HAD FOR YOU!!!!!! CLEARLY YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THE PLIGHT OF HONG KONG PEOPLE!
Big Bro's watching ! Dec 14th 2012
11:11am
11:11am
Does this kung-fu star deserve any respect from most Hongkongers who are furious over his remark that we Hongkongers scold China's leaders( who are not allowed to be criticized on Mainland) or anything we like and protest against anything.He suggested the authorities should stipulate what issues are open to protests and what are not.How about the June 4th candle vigil ? The annual July 1st grand march ? The up-coming march against C.Y.Leung's broken integrity on January 1st ? Are these three considered not appropriate in Sing Lung's eyes ? Living too long in Beijing----the capital of an autocratic country might make one's mind closed to the outside world.Unfortunately, this happens on Sing Lung's himself ! He better shuts up and concentrate on his career by producing more quality movies only.Politics is never his expertise or his dish !
acgenerator Dec 14th 2012
1:38am
1:38am
While I strongly disagree with Chan's assertion that protests (freedom of speech) should be limited, he hints at an underlying issue that the residents of Hong Kong are unusually inclined to protest compared to other parts of the China or the region as a whole.
I spent 3-4 months in Hong Kong for work in early 2010. The numbers of small protests reminded me of travels to western Europe rather than east Asia. I remember distinctly large protests over eminent domain issues which the locals themed their protests around the hugely popular Avatar movie that was in theaters at the same time.
Perhaps this is a legacy of British occupation or the large number of expats (and their values) that reside in the SAR. Hong Kong is largely shaped by it's meshing of east and west cultures.
I spent 3-4 months in Hong Kong for work in early 2010. The numbers of small protests reminded me of travels to western Europe rather than east Asia. I remember distinctly large protests over eminent domain issues which the locals themed their protests around the hugely popular Avatar movie that was in theaters at the same time.
Perhaps this is a legacy of British occupation or the large number of expats (and their values) that reside in the SAR. Hong Kong is largely shaped by it's meshing of east and west cultures.
A Hong Konger Dec 13th 2012
11:28pm
11:28pm
I remember his appalling "Chinese need to be controlled" statement a few years ago. No matter how out of context that was taken it was inexcusable to say. Now that has-been clown has said something even more stupid that the dialogue of his awful movies (sorry, but they stopped being entertaining when we turned 12). It's a real shame, he was one of us that the world recognised. He could be vocalising our plight of Hong Kong and the plight of the working class. Instead he denigrates and embarrasses us Hong Kongers and not to mention our neighbours; the Chinese, that he insults by saying they need to be controlled, as he obviously feels they are not being as obedient as he... Of course he's quick to protest when the paparazzi takes a few pics of some undressed 'starlet', or someone makes a knock off of his rubbish movies (you couldn't pay me to watch them)... What a little man he is... What a shame for us.
Chow Yun-Fat, where are you?!
Chow Yun-Fat, where are you?!
m2leung Dec 13th 2012
10:43pm
10:43pm
The radical thinks they are fighting for the rule-of-law and democracy. Yet, they will paint anybody who thinks differently as a puppet of the CPC. It is a shame that they don't realize their actions such as filibustering in Legco is anti-democratic, and their insistence that people should not have a choice of learning about national education is an infringement of people's choice and liberty.
cleareye Dec 13th 2012
9:49pm
9:49pm
Democracy is constituted by the right of representation. Citizens elect representative to voice their opinion and keep check of the government. Demonstration is a last resort when all fails. Hence either the elected district councils and LegCo members failed totally and miserably in getting the government to act, or they are in collusion of the same, that is when the people should take matter in their own hands and gather in the streets. Perhaps it is not only the CE that should consider resigning, the people's representatives should also resign as they cannot do their jobs. Calling people to demonstrate is admission by default they are useless.
But then, how many people in Hong Kong truly understand the meaning and workings behind a democratic society?
But then, how many people in Hong Kong truly understand the meaning and workings behind a democratic society?
pharding81 Dec 13th 2012
9:40pm
9:40pm
Thank god we have finally got clarification about what Jackie Chan thinks about public protests in Hong Kong. I really had no idea what I should think about the issue and was waiting for an action / comedy / slapstick movie celebrity millionaire actor to help inform the debate! Thanks for reporting this!
unbilibulu Dec 13th 2012
8:15pm
8:15pm
Just because he isn't voicing *your* opinion, doesn't make him wrong or a buffoon. Isn't his right to state his opinion what many countries call democracy? Obviously we have a different definition here.
mercedes2233 Dec 13th 2012
6:59pm
6:59pm
His statement that HK is A city of protests is not wrong. I am not quibbling over the right to free speech, but I would like to reclaim my right to walk around the city without sound pollution, rubbish pollution, anger and hostiliy on Sundays and public holidays. HK belongs to more than just the protestors, and maybe the best way is to regulate when and how demonstrations may be held. Even in our homes, we cannot make a lot of noise after 11 pm., which is fair enough for all concerned.
johnfra Dec 13th 2012
6:35pm
6:35pm
Without freedom of speech, we would never get to know how ignorant and uninformed Jackie CHAN is.
cleareye Dec 13th 2012
6:27pm
6:27pm
Hypocrisy: to defend freedom of assembly but deny one's freedom of speech. JC has the right to express his viewpoint, and the press had the right not to print it. Personal attacks and character assassination are the traits of feeble mindedness.
Sunny Dec 13th 2012
5:54pm
5:54pm
Jackie always seemed more of a comedian rather than a kung-fu actor.
If he feels that his hometown, Hong Kong, ‘has become ‘like South Korea’ and that it should limit the right to protest.’ What does he mean? That it should be more like ‘North Korea’ instead?
If he feels that his hometown, Hong Kong, ‘has become ‘like South Korea’ and that it should limit the right to protest.’ What does he mean? That it should be more like ‘North Korea’ instead?
aniwork Dec 13th 2012
2:52pm
2:52pm
Is he desperate or what? Is he worrying so much about the box office outcome of his upcoming new movie? Does he believe that by spurring up the dispute and intensifying the tension in the city really helps Hong Kong … or just him?
Camel Dec 13th 2012
2:49pm
2:49pm
Jacky Chan has never been a man who could express himself very well verbally. He is a movie star and hadn't much oportunity to get educated in school. Anyhow, I do not like his movies as well. Especially his Hollywood movies of the last few years, where he portraits Chinese ridiculous and funny. (he thinks this would bring Chinese culture closer to the West and that the West would like the Chinese culture more - Chinese as funny clowns)
Well, maybe lack of education. Ref. to the topic. To demonstrate and to protest is one of the core rights of the people in a free society. To show the government that something is going wrong, that something has to be done for the people can only be through peditions, protest and demonstrations. To restrict this right is to suppress the people's freedom. No, these rights of the peopl should be available in an advanced soc. Even for a city like HK now with many people with many selfish needs, who protest in front of a government building almost everyday. You can call it as well "lack of education". Those people just do not know how to use their instrument of power, when and why. If they use it too often, the significant remark of a protest and demonstration becomes blur. Meaning the government won't take the peoples movement serious anymore. That is the risk of inflationary protests and demonstration. Also the agenda of those protesters often are not comprehensible. Maybe this is what Chan meant, but as I said. Chan isn't a well educated man.
Well, maybe lack of education. Ref. to the topic. To demonstrate and to protest is one of the core rights of the people in a free society. To show the government that something is going wrong, that something has to be done for the people can only be through peditions, protest and demonstrations. To restrict this right is to suppress the people's freedom. No, these rights of the peopl should be available in an advanced soc. Even for a city like HK now with many people with many selfish needs, who protest in front of a government building almost everyday. You can call it as well "lack of education". Those people just do not know how to use their instrument of power, when and why. If they use it too often, the significant remark of a protest and demonstration becomes blur. Meaning the government won't take the peoples movement serious anymore. That is the risk of inflationary protests and demonstration. Also the agenda of those protesters often are not comprehensible. Maybe this is what Chan meant, but as I said. Chan isn't a well educated man.
norodnik Dec 13th 2012
2:38pm
2:38pm
Jerky Chan has nothing to say about the 180,000 riots in China in 2010... ****online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903703604576587070600504108.html
bmr Dec 13th 2012
2:04pm
2:04pm
Congratulations to the Press on building a story out of nothing. And congratulations to all of those expressing condemnation and out and out hatred - you guys really are the smartest and cleverest members of our community. Who could imagine that a simple actor who has risen to the pinnacle of his chosen profession would not be an expert on political matters?
Jackie Chan is an entertainer. At that he is bl***y good. As a person he is as susceptible as the next at being tricked into speaking out of turn to journalists. Based on his previous record in this regard and the response from the public no one would take him seriously and no organization would publish his political thoughts unless they were trying to create controversy. Lay off Jackie you clever, so brave people and look at the true source - the media.
Jackie Chan is an entertainer. At that he is bl***y good. As a person he is as susceptible as the next at being tricked into speaking out of turn to journalists. Based on his previous record in this regard and the response from the public no one would take him seriously and no organization would publish his political thoughts unless they were trying to create controversy. Lay off Jackie you clever, so brave people and look at the true source - the media.
ling2777 Dec 13th 2012
1:59pm
1:59pm
I agreed with Jacky that our city is now far too noisy. I think we need the wisdom to know what is the best to do. However good the motivation do these people have, I cannot help but feel happier without having to listen to their noise too often.
Team Q ! Dec 13th 2012
12:36pm
12:36pm
What is wrong with this kung fu star ? He forgets that he is only a film star (once well-known around the world but now only on Mainland and is notorious for his numerouse sex scandals:dating with females in Beijing while having several wives at the present moment:some legal while some illegal).In 2009, he uttered that Chinese should be controlled and now he said Hongkongers have too much freedom of speech---protest against everything in town and attacking Chinese leaders in random.H.K.government should stipulate by law which issues should we protest against and which should not be allowed (maybe attacking C.Y.'s integrity and illegal structures should never be allowed in this uneducated but arrogant in words' old guy's eyes.Right ?
ksayip Dec 13th 2012
12:21pm
12:21pm
"The authorities should stipulate what issues people can protest over and on what issues it is not allowed."
shows that he's just an ignorant communist kiss-****! I don't know why people/the press would still take anything he says seriously. Someone who has no integrity should not be taken seriously.
shows that he's just an ignorant communist kiss-****! I don't know why people/the press would still take anything he says seriously. Someone who has no integrity should not be taken seriously.
likingming Dec 13th 2012
12:05pm
12:05pm
It is nothing wrong with the protesters. And Freedom of Expression should not be restrainted.
"City of Protest" is promoted and encouraged by the HK Govt. which is always ready to yielld without principles. It is the Govt to blame.
- HK land for hk people
- Restrict parallel trades
- no mainlanders giving birth here at the expense of HK's Rule of Law
- unilateral permit of HK vechicles crossing the borders but not for the mainlander's vehicles.
Every time the govt yield there are more protests coming.
The govt does not know how to lead ! 擇善固執
"City of Protest" is promoted and encouraged by the HK Govt. which is always ready to yielld without principles. It is the Govt to blame.
- HK land for hk people
- Restrict parallel trades
- no mainlanders giving birth here at the expense of HK's Rule of Law
- unilateral permit of HK vechicles crossing the borders but not for the mainlander's vehicles.
Every time the govt yield there are more protests coming.
The govt does not know how to lead ! 擇善固執
jpinst Dec 13th 2012
11:51am
11:51am
The number of protests is clearly relative to the absence of democratic representation.
If once cannot vote for their leaders or vote them out of office when they fail to perform, the result will be increased protests. This is the only means available to express disagreement with politicians and their decisions.
If once cannot vote for their leaders or vote them out of office when they fail to perform, the result will be increased protests. This is the only means available to express disagreement with politicians and their decisions.
eric.boost Dec 13th 2012
11:46am
11:46am
Well I don't see Jackie being reinstated as Hong Kong's tourism poster boy any time soon. This is without a doubt a ludicrous statement he has made. Perhaps due to the mainland film industry being his main refuge these days he's trying to cozy up to some establishment wallets?
pgrath1 Dec 13th 2012
11:07am
11:07am
Chan is right, people should absolutely follow without question, and with absolute loyalty, what the Communists in Beijing and their appointed lackeys in Hong Kong tell them to do. Its all for the best.
After all, it is what makes North Korea run so well.
After all, it is what makes North Korea run so well.
req Dec 13th 2012
10:53am
10:53am
Not a whole city. Just a handful of loud turds with nothing better to do with their lives. We should build cages for them, or encourage unrestrained police brutality.
jakekee Dec 13th 2012
10:30am
10:30am
This coming from a guy who has sold out himself to western audiences and becoming a laughing stock of the movie industry. I am not sure why the media still bothers to cover him. Shame on him.
Team Q ! Dec 13th 2012
10:00am
10:00am
This poorly-educated so-called Big Brother in the former entertainment (mainly the movie world) Sing Lung( or Sing Chung to be proper), uttered **** again by saying that now Hong Kong has become a city of protest.His remarks only reflects his ignorance and bias towards our freedoms of expression and his blind loyality towards the autocratic regime in Beijing where he has a luxurious mansion plus numerous playmates(the beauties) to play with or play at.How wicked and disgusting this film star and producer is ! He has become a shame of our beloved Hong Kong and Hongkongers right now.
wwong888 Dec 13th 2012
8:54am
8:54am
ignorant washed up irrelevant fool... go jump off a bridge and die jackie
aplucky1 Dec 13th 2012
8:45am
8:45am
what a buffoon
he is using his right to free speech to condemn everyone else's
he is using his right to free speech to condemn everyone else's
Chow Dao Fu Dec 13th 2012
7:46am
7:46am
Jackie Chan now lives mostly in the United States under a democracy he has not fought for and does not care if Hong Kong people do not have. And why do idiots like him extol the superiority of Chineseness but then think that other nationalities can handle democracy but that Chinese are too stupid to do so? What a piece of work.
HK-Lover Dec 13th 2012
5:33am
5:33am
He is rich, a star and famous. But this does not automatically mean he has the standard of education, intelligence and wisdom to make sensible, informed and valuable comments about politics and Hong Kong issues. He should understand that in Hong Kong we have the freedom of speech. This does not mean we have to speak. But we also have the right to be silent if we don't understand an issue and are not well informed.
Camel Dec 13th 2012
5:29pm
5:29pm
I totally agree with you. I also agree that people should have the right to speak out loud and protest or demonstrate if something is going wrong. But more importantly is, that people should restrain themselve and shut up if they "do not understand the issue and are not well informed" as the majority of the current protestors and demonstrators in HK are. Hack, they even demonstrate against the Government if it is getting too hot or too cold in this city.
In Case You Missed It
