Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash

[ccharles000]

HONG KONG (AP) — Action movie star Jackie Chan questioned the need for freedom for Chinese people during a speech Saturday, prompting outrage from lawmakers in Taiwan and Hong Kong, who accused him of insulting his own race.

The 55-year-old star of "Rush Hour" said at a business forum in the southern Chinese island province Hainan on Saturday that a free society may not be beneficial for authoritarian mainland China.

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said at the Boao Forum. "If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

Chan added, "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

Chan's comments drew applause from his audience of mainly business leaders in Hainan on Saturday, but prompted fierce criticism from lawmakers in Taiwan and his hometown Hong Kong on Sunday.

Taiwan, which split with mainland China amid civil war in 1949, is a democratically self-ruled island.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hNlDLaGeT6ftfckG8RPBMK7vZ0lQD97LCGG00

[RandomThoughts]

1. I have heard that comment said before.

In the south during slavery, they said slaves were better off, they would not be able to take care of themselves.

Poor people in company towns were spoken of, that way also they have a jobs, and someone to maintain order and set the rules they would not set for themselves.

And after Katrina, some said the people relocated were better off.

If the population can not rule itself, then the leaders can not rule them either. Because the leaders are the same, with some good and some bad. Taking away the choice of self rule is a benefit to those that want to feel that way, and a good excuse.

It could be said that Wall Street can not rule itself, that CEOs that break tax laws can not rule themselves, that those that are corrupt can not rule.

The whole premise breaks down when you realize that one group is not morally better or worse then another. And some would even say the migration of power goes to the more power hungry and the more greedy, so in that respect, a system that revolves, or reverses upward transfers of power helps society.

All though there is some humor that both Chuck Norris and Jacki Chan are on the same side. LOL, both seem to be good people, and make pretty decent films.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. I heard it in South Africa during Apartheid

And just like those other members of the self-styled superior race, Chan is saying that those other people need to be controlled. I'm sure he wants to remain free to travel the world and live where he wants.

[Deja Q]

2. When it comes to Republicans, I much prefer Bruce Willis. But I digress.

Jackie has a point, otherwise we wouldn't have laws and regulations -- I'm hoping that's what he means when he talks of 'control' and all that, combined with the virtually consistent quality of goods coming out of that country.

If he means people, then he might be referring to social customs and social civility.

It's hard to tell.

Of course, I don't want to put words in his mouth either...

I also prefer Taiwan to China because of the quality of electronic components -- I've had more Seagate (made in China) drives show premature defects than other brands made in other countries, but that's another digression on my part...

[Ian David]

3. "Do you understand the self-hating racist fascist words that are coming out of my mouth!" n/t

[MADem]

4. Ain't he a happy little slave!!!

I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."


Too many blows to the head, maybe?

[ccharles000]

5. I agree

[lunatica]

7. Gee, does anyone here remember what they do to dissenters in China

Being a popular star in his own country means he has to be careful about what he says. We don't know what he really thinks, because China may be more open now, but it still cracks down very hard on dissenters as well as Tibetans. Way to judge others' words by our open Democratic freedom of speech. What would any of us say if our words had the same consequences they do in China?