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Security personnel bar protesters as Jackie Chan arrives

Dozens of protesters shouted angry slogans at Hong Kong film star and director Jackie Chan (成龍) yesterday as he arrived in Taipei for a charity event.

The protesters shouted “You’re not welcome!” and “Get Out!” while others shouted greetings at Chan after he arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in his private jet and passed through customs.

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

Cable TV channel TVBS reported that a Taoyuan County councilor, whom it did not name, cursed Chan as he arrived.

The movie star angered many Taiwanese in 2004 when he called the election eve assassination attempt on then-president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) “an international joke.”

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

Government Information Office Minister Vanessa Shih (史亞平) said that Taiwan should always happily greet those who come to Taiwan to take part in charity activities, describing Taiwan as a “lovely society with friendly people who accept different opinions.”

Shih said she hoped that society could be magnanimous to people with different opinions.

Chan is in Taiwan to attend a fundraising event for children held by TVBS. TVBS has employed Chan as a spokesman for the campaign.

Chan agreed to endorse the charity campaign in Taiwan because the movement is similar to a “One-Dollar Fund” program he launched to offer care for children, the TVBS foundation said.

Asked whether Chan would be invited to attend the 45th Golden Horse Film Festival award ceremony, Shih said that art should not be mixed with politics.

It is up to the festival organizer to decide whether it wanted to invite Chan, Shih said.

The actor recently became the focus of a rowdy debate among Taichung city councilors when they were reviewing an addition to the budget for the film festival in December.

Democratic Progressive Party councilors, as well as Chinese Nationalsit Party (KMT) Councilor Ting Cheng-chia (丁振嘉), said the city should not invite Chan as he still “owes Taiwan an apology.”
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