Actor takes a stance against freedom in China

Apr 21, 2009 13:50 GMT  ·  By
Actor Jackie Chan says Chinese need control, otherwise they would just do what they want
   Actor Jackie Chan says Chinese need control, otherwise they would just do what they want

Jackie Chan has always been outspoken about his beliefs and a recent press conference on the calls for media freedom in China was no exception. However, some say, standing up for censorship and lack of freedom is a far cry from what Chan usually does, and perhaps he should not have taken things so far as to say that the Chinese people need the control they’re under right now, as Variety informs.

Present at a panel at the annual Boao Forum, which was meant to discuss the restrictions on filmmakers and the movie industry in China, action star Jackie Chan actually took a pro-Communist stand, saying the people need control because otherwise they wouldn’t know what to do or what to choose, for that matter. Because someone else decides for them, it’s easier to make choices, the star added.

“I’m not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I’m really confused now. If you’re too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It’s very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic.” Jackie Chan said to the applause of the other members of the audience. “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.” the actor further stated.

In the same speech, the actor also took aim at Chinese young people, saying they need to develop their own style as regards their consumer habits, and stop imitating what they see in others. At the same time, he lamented the quality of all goods in China, so much so that he would not buy something as common as a TV from there. “They like other people’s things. They don’t like their own things.” Chan said of the Chinese youth. However, he added, “If I need to buy a TV, I’ll definitely buy a Japanese TV. A Chinese TV might explode.”

Although the audience received Chan’s comments on censorship with wild applause, as Variety informs, the international and even national media were not equally pleased with them. Chinese bloggers have taken to the Internet to vent their frustrations as regards such a prominent figure speaking in favor of Communism and censorship. Headlines like “Jackie Chan is a Know-Nothing Self-Loathing Racist” and “Jackie Chan Deeply Disappointed Me” are just two instances of bloggers and / or e-zines who took it upon themselves to denounce such an attitude, as several media outlets inform.

Actor Jackie Chan has not yet responded to these most recent attacks, but keep an eye on this space for when he does.