In a recent Chinese TV interview, well-known martial artist and actor Jackie Chan slammed America as “the most corrupt country in the world.” Although the remarks may come as a surprise to many Americans, The Washington Post notes
that Chan is a passionate political activist, “a staunch defender of
the Chinese Communist party” and a “harsh critic of anyone he sees as
opposing Beijing.”
In a new piece called “The anti-Americanism of Jack Chan,” author Max Fishertranscribes
the recent interview and notes that Chan has been “stirring controversy
for a few years now for criticizing Taiwan and Hong Kong as models of
what can go wrong when you have ‘too much freedom.’”
Chan also says that Chinese citizens should not criticize their country to foreigners and notes that he is always cognizant of this in American interviews. He adds that although China may also has a “corruption” problem, the country is “making progress.” The cause of the world financial crisis, or “Great Breakdown,” according to Chan, is the United States.
Chan has previously stated of censorship
in Chinese media that “Chinese people need to be controlled, otherwise
they will do whatever they want.”
Fisher notes that “Chan’s comments,
though widely disparaged on Chinese social media, do reflect a certain
strain of anti-Americanism that is particular to some elements of
China.” He goes on to add that Chan and others’ “defensiveness” is
likely about “internal Chinese doubts about their country’s progress.”
It might be perplexing to some that Chan
still makes movies in the US, given his apparent hatred for the
country. Fisher, however, ays, “To the degree that Chan’s comments were
anti-American, they likewise reflect a common Chinese view of the United
States, one that is rooted not just in attitudes toward America but in
China’s proud but sometimes insecure view of itself.”
“In other words,” he adds. “We shouldn’t be too offended.”
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