And this comes from one of the wealthiest Hollywood Kung-Fu actors that ever lived:
Jackie Chan: Chinese people need to be controlled
By WILLIAM FOREMAN, Associated Press Writer William Foreman, Associated Press Writer – Sat Apr 18, 2:48 pm ET
BOAO, China – Action star Jackie Chan said Saturday he's not sure if a free society is a good thing for China and that he's starting to think "we Chinese need to be controlled."
Chan's comments drew applause from a predominantly Chinese audience of business leaders in China's southern island province of Hainan.
The 55-year-old Hong Kong actor was participating in a panel at the annual Boao Forum when he was asked to discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society.
"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "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."
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."
The kung fu star has not been a vocal supporter of the pro-democracy movement in his hometown of Hong Kong. Since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, voters have not been allowed to directly elect their leader. Several massive street protests have been held to demand full democracy, but Beijing has repeatedly said Hong Kong isn't ready for it.
The theme at Saturday's panel discussion was "Tapping into Asia's Creative Industry Potential," and Chan had several opinions about innovation in China.
He said that early in his career, he lived in the shadow of the late martial arts star Bruce Lee. He said that during his first foray into Hollywood, he struggled to establish his own identity, so he returned to Hong Kong. After spending 15 years building his reputation in Asia, Chan finally got rediscovered by Hollywood, he said.
Chan said the problem with Chinese youth is that "they like other people's things. They don't like their own things." Young people need to spend more time developing their own style, he added.
The action hero complained that Chinese goods still have too many quality problems. He became emotional when discussing contaminated milk powder that sickened tens of thousands of Chinese babies in the past year.
Speaking fast with his voice rising, Chan said, "If I need to buy a TV, I'll definitely buy a Japanese TV. A Chinese TV might explode."
(D.R.) Wow!........ LINK
I'm not quite sure what to think of that! Thanks for posting it though...
ReplyDeleteMillions of Americans feel this way--they just don't have the guts to stand on stage and admit it.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend in college who was from Hong Kong. When we were talking about the Tianamen Massacre, he said Chinese governments always felt paternalistic to their citizens, demanding strict obedience to civil authorities that they would give to their own biological parents.
ReplyDeleteHe told me "The way Chinese parents treat their kids would be considered child abuse here in America," explaining the bloodbath in Beijing.
But judging by the reactions of Chinese Americans and recent Chinese immigrants, it looks like they're getting beyond that type of thinking. Good for them!
I have to add, I do share Chan's views of Chinese products. Look at the history of defective, toxic goods, from toys to dog food, that have been making their way here.
ReplyDeleteGiven their use of prison labor, not to mention starvation wages and corporal punishment, I suspect there's a lot of disgruntled employees who would love to sabotage their own products to get back at the gwai lo who are support their oppressive regime.
BTW - Wasn't Red China once considered our enemy? Didn't we fight a Cold War (with occasional flare-ups) against Communism throughout the 20th Century?
How did the world's last Communist superpower become our best friend and top trading partner? Castro's Cuba can't touch the evil of Chinese Communists, yet we've done our best not only to isolate Castro, but to have him killed.
The Republicans found that in their world view, money trumps political ideology, hence Nixon opening up China.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I don't think I want to buy tainted products from China. But you got to hand it to them, they executed their head of food & Drug after the Melemine scandals.
Looks like things are gonna change re: Cuba, for the better and it's about time.