People News

Protestors blast Jackie Chan for criticizing Taiwan elections

Jun 18, 2008, 10:01 GMT

Jackie Chan, seen here at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, angered some Taiwanese in 2004 when he called the pre-election shooting of then president Chen Shui-bian an international joke. © Pixplanete / PR Photos

Taipei - Dozens of Taiwanese shouted angry slogans at Hong Kong film star and director Jackie Chan Wednesday when he arrived in Taipei for a charity event in protest of his criticism of Taiwan's elections four years ago.

The protestors shouted 'Not Welcome!' and 'Get Out!' when Chan arrived in his private jet at the Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei and passed through customs.

Some 50 police and security personnel barred the protestors from approaching Chan as they were threatening to spit at him.

Chan is in Taiwan to attend a fund-raising event for children held by cable TV channel TVBS. TVBS has hired Chan as the spokesman for the fund-raising campaign called Baby is Our Hope.

The outspoken action star angered some Taiwanese in 2004 when he called the pre-election shooting of then president Chen Shui-bian an international joke. Some Taiwanese felt humiliated and vowed never to let Chan visit Taiwan again.

The shooting on March 19, 2004 helped Chen to win re-election with a razor-thin victory over his rival Lien Chan. The opposition accused Chen of staging the shooting to gain sympathy and avoid a defeat in the election. Chen denied the accusation.

Actor Chan has not apologized for his remark and this is his first visit to Taiwan since 2004.

On Friday, government spokesman Vanessa Shih urged Taiwan residents not to harass the popular movie star.

'Taiwan people should be more tolerant of different opinions. We should welcome people from all countries to come to Taiwan to carry out charity work,' she said.