Chan's China comments come under fire

Jackie Chan has caused uproar amongst pro-democracy groups after allegedly stating the people of China "need to be controlled" by a strict government.

The action star, a Hong Kong native and one of the Communist nation's leading stars, reportedly spoke about the dangers of China adopting a democratic stance at a business forum in China's Hainan province on Saturday (18Apr09).

He told the forum, "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. 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 Rush Hour actor added that the social structure in Taiwan, a democratic country which gained independence from China in 1949, is "chaotic", according to eastern news sources.

And Chan's comments have come under fire from Taiwanese and Hong Kong lawmakers and democracy advocates.

Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Leung Kwok says, "He's insulted the Chinese people. Chinese people aren't pets. Chinese society needs a democratic system to protect human rights and rule of law."

Fellow lawmaker Albert Ho states, "People around the world are running their own countries. Why can't Chinese do the same?"

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