Jackie Chan: Pro-Democracy Protests Are 'Depressing'

'Hong Kong hates you' one commenter wrote online after Chan's remarks on Hong Kong protests
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 16, 2019 1:35 PM CDT
Jackie Chan, Mulan Actor Slammed After Hong Kong Remarks
Hong Kong actor and singer Jackie Chan poses for media during a promotional event announcing his new album "I Am Me" in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 12, 2019.   (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

If pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong had hoped for a celebrity endorsement, Jackie Chan's not their man. The martial arts star and actor spoke up about the recent demonstrations in his birthplace, and he doesn't seem inspired by the protesters, calling the protests "sad" and "depressing," per the Express. The 65-year-old Chan told media outlet CGTN that "I wanted to express the most basic principles of patriotism as a Hong Kong citizen and a Chinese" and that "Hong Kong and China are my birthplaces and my home. China is my country, I love my country. ... I hope that Hong Kong can return to peace soon." Some weren't happy about those sentiments from Chan, who's made controversial remarks about the topic before. In 2009, for example, Chan said of the pro-democracy movement, "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. ... If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic," the South China Morning Post reports.

"Hong Kong hates you" and "shameless" were just two online reactions to Chan, who the Post says is a member of a Beijing legislative advisory body mainly made up of members of the Chinese Communist Party. He's not the only big name taking flak. Liu Yifei, who's starring in the upcoming live-action version of the Disney film Mulan, posted her thoughts Thursday on China's Weibo social media platform. "I support the Hong Kong police," wrote the Chinese-born actress, now a US citizen, per CNN. "You can all attack me now. What a shame for Hong Kong." Shortly after her post, the #BoycottMulan hashtag started making its rounds. "Liu is a naturalized American citizen," one commenter tweeted. "It must be nice. meanwhile she pisses on people fighting for democracy." (More Jackie Chan stories.)

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