Sharon Stone's Chinese damage control, 'sorry'

By Stone Martindale May 29, 2008, 17:42 GMT

05/21/2008 - Madonna and Sharon Stone - 2008 Cannes Film Festival - "Che" Premiere - Arrivals - Palais des Festivals - Cannes, France © Pixplanete / PR Photos

Actress Sharon Stone recently opened her mouth and inserted her foot with an ill-advised "karma" comment over the devastating earthquake that has killed tens of thousands in China.

Stone has issued an apology after an avalanche of criticism from China to her comments that its deadly earthquake was "karma" over the government's policies in Tibet.

Stone also offered to help with the earthquake relief effort in a statement issued by the China branch of French luxury goods maker Christian Dior, where she is a top model.

"My erroneous words and deeds angered and saddened the Chinese people, and I sincerely apologise for this," she said in the statement, issued in Chinese.

"I'm willing to participate in any earthquake relief activity and to do my utmost to help Chinese people affected by the disaster."

Stone, 50, tossed the lines at Cannes Film Festival last week, leading to pledges by some Chinese cinemas to boycott her films.

"I'm not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans because I don't think anyone should be unkind to anyone else," Stone said, according to footage widely available on YouTube.

"And then all this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and I thought, is that karma - when you're not nice that the bad things happen to you?"

Dior's China branch immediately distanced themselves from Stone's remarks.  "We don't agree with her hasty, unreflecting remarks and we deeply regret them," Dior said in a Chinese-language statement.

"Dior was one of the first international brands to enter China and has won the affection and respect of the consuming public. We absolutely do not support any remark that hurts the Chinese people's feelings.

"We express our sorrow over the compatriots who lost their lives in the earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan, and we extend our sympathy and condolences to the people in the disaster area."

May 12 saw a massive earthquake hit China's southwest Sichuan province, leaving nearly 88,000+ people dead or missing.