Fear of protesters will keep Jackie Chan from Taiwan

Movie star Jackie Chan (成龍) says he will stay away from Taiwan for four years to avoid protests over remarks he made calling last year's presidential elections a joke, TVBS reported yesterday.

At a news conference in China last year, the action hero said Taiwan's disputed presidential election was ``the biggest joke in the world,'' provoking calls from politicians in this country to ban his movies.

In an interview in Cannes with TVBS broadcast yesterday, Chan said he wanted to avoid Taiwan for the time being.

"If I come, some people might organize something at the airport," Chan said, alluding to recent political protests at CKS International Airport.

Chan said he was hurt by the reaction to his remarks.

``I love Taiwan so much. I'm a person who likes Taiwan so much. I have done so many things in Taiwan, but then I get this result,'' he said.

The Hong Kong-born entertainer, who is married to a Taiwanese actress, was hugely popular in Taiwan, and has visited frequently. He has appeared in commercials on behalf of the police and an anti-smoking charity.

Meanwhile, Chan will front a controversial series of Chinese national anthem broadcasts aimed at promoting patriotism in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

He is one of a group of celebrities who will appear in one-minute broadcasts to go out on Chinese-language TV channels before news bulletins, starting next Monday.

Chan will speak briefly on the history of the Chinese national anthem before the anthem is broadcast to a flag-waving backdrop, according to the report.

The broadcasts, introduced in the wake of pro-democracy protests in the territory, have been criticized by activists as "brainwashing" by China.

Daniel Heung (香灼璣), chairman of the government's Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, told the paper the broadcasts would improve the public's knowledge about China.