Jackie Chan: Chinese people need to be controlled

Sunday 19th April, 04:30 AM JST

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bushlover at 08:11 AM JST - 19th April

Chinese seem to be free to do what they want anyway. They are the major source of piracy of software and movies/dvds around the world.
TheQuestion at 08:56 AM JST - 19th April

If they're fine with government controling their every move than they live in the right place, I'm happy for them. I have different wants and needs and therefore live in a different country. We are indeed a product of our environment...unless someone makes the environment a product of its people. But thats a discussion for another day.
Wolfpack at 09:58 AM JST - 19th April

Jackie Chan's image just took a big hit.
Sarge at 10:16 AM JST - 19th April

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now."

Jackie's confused all right.

"If I need to buy a TV, I'll definitely buy a Japanese TV. A Chinese TV might explode"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! If you want your TV to last more than 10 years, don't buy a Sony. And good luck buying a made-in-Japan Sony or any other TV, Jackie! All the TVs in the stores in my neighborhood are made in Korea, China, Malaysia and anywhere but Japan.
OssanAmerica at 11:46 AM JST - 19th April

If I need to buy a TV, I'll definitely buy a Japanese TV. A Chinese TV >might explode" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! If you want your TV to last more than 10 years, >don't buy a Sony. And good luck buying a made-in-Japan Sony or any other >TV, Jackie! All the TVs in the stores in my neighborhood are made in >Korea, China, Malaysia and anywhere but Japan.

But in Jackie Chan's defense one could reasonably argue that that TVs (and a hell of alot of products) under Japanese brand names made outside of Japan are often under Japanese management and quality control.
smithinjapan at 12:52 PM JST - 19th April

This is just a bizarre thread, and clearly it's Jackie who is indeed confused. He seems pretty on the ball when talking about product quality and Japan's superior goods, but he really can't even comment clearly on the 'democracy' issue. I wonder if translation has anything to do with how he comes across.
SuperLib at 01:20 PM JST - 19th April

I think he's trying to explain a complicated emotion with simple words, and in the end he chose the wrong words. Maybe he was trying to say that Chinese people need some measure of control in order to keep some things in check, or to have safeguards. I doubt he's casting aside "freedom" in the sense that there should be no rule of law, or a credible court system, or freedom from persecution. But maybe he's talking more about his concern that without control/safeguards then people will sometimes choose to do destructive things and create chaos. It's the classic "security vs. freedom" trade-off debate in my mind.

Or, maybe he meant something different, I don't really know.
Betzee at 01:55 PM JST - 19th April

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.

This is the result of a weak regulatory environment. The response to such tragedies is for the government to offer the victims a take-it-or-leave-it cash settlement and arbitrarily prosecute those involved. Giving victims the freedom to sue for damages would make business owners think twice about false labeling, an endemic problem in China. But it's complicated because many businesses have deep connections to local government officials.
sydenham at 04:03 PM JST - 19th April

poor jackie had some bad milk powder on his cereal this morning. he'll be fine once he gets back to the states.
timorborder at 04:06 PM JST - 19th April

Interesting view from a historical perspective. Through Chinese history, the control of the masses by the few has been a paramount political consideration. Good to see Jackie getting with the team in Beijing over this one (lol). Of course, Jackie talking about such things has nothing at all to do with the ability of his movies in Hong Kong.
bushlover at 04:25 PM JST - 19th April

I think people tend to read too much into his comment. After all the media is reporting what he said and we know how out of context they can twist something. Let it rest. It's one man's opinion anyway.
Sarge at 04:28 PM JST - 19th April

sydenham - Good one.
Betzee at 09:55 PM JST - 19th April

Bushlover,

One could criticize other posters here for bashing Jackie Chan's "politically incorrect" viewpoint in posts such as this "Jackie Chan's image just took a big hit" where there's no attempt at all to engage the issues he raises.

Instead you tacitly acknowledge his views are anathema, but blame it on the media for misquoting him. Personally, I don't think the press did misquote him because such sentiments are common among wealthier, worldly Chinese who have the most to lose if the situation destabilizes. It's better to address their concerns, and remind yourself freedom should enable all viewpoints to be aired.
elbudamexicano at 06:03 AM JST - 20th April

China has way too many people, and that country does have nuclear weapons, so I agree with Jackie. How many different kinds of angry minority groups who hate Beijing exist in China?? Way too many! How many would like to get their hands on nunclear weapons??? Not sure, but look at little North Korea, and then multiply that by 10 or 30 and this is what you have in "China" so Viva controlling the "Chinese"!!
JoeBigs at 07:42 AM JST - 20th April

If I were living in China and I was some famous actor would I speak out against the government, hm? Or would I just smile, say what I think they want to hear and go on with my happy life?

I do not know, maybe the Chinese people do need to be controlled.