Jackie Chan's (成龍) next movie should be banned in Taiwan because of his remarks about last month's presidential election, a senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) figure said yesterday.
During a news conference in Shanghai last month, the action star called Taiwan's disputed election "the biggest joke in the world." It was unclear which aspects of the election Chan was criticizing.
Parris Chang (
"We want to propose a motion at the legislature to ask the government to ban showings of Jackie Chan's new movie," Chang said.
The action star's latest Hollywood film, Around the World in 80 Days, is set to open here in June.
Chang also said the actor should be barred from Taiwan and suggested Taiwanese people should consider retaliating by not traveling to Hong Kong.
While sharing Chang's concerns, some of the lawmaker's colleagues were less than enthusiastic about taking action against the popular star.
"We do not agree with all statements by individual party members, but we can respect their freedom of speech," DPP caucus whip Tsai Huang-liang (
Chan, who is married to a Taiwanese actress, is a frequent visitor to Taiwan, where he has appeared in commercials for humanitarian causes.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) won the March 20 vote by a narrow margin, but the pan-blue camp claims the vote was marred by irregularities, though it has provided little proof.
The High Court is working out how to conduct a recount, tentatively scheduled for next month.
The opposition also alleges that an election-eve shooting that lightly wounded Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) unfairly gave the president sympathy votes.
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