Jackie Chan's Trip To Vietnam Cancelled Over China Sea Row
Anees Ahmed (@Aneesah05582539) Published November 08, 2019 | 01:04 PM
Martial-arts film star Jackie Chan's planned visit to Vietnam for a charity has been cancelled following an online backlash related to Beijing's expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea
Hanoi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Nov, 2019 ) :Martial-arts film star Jackie Chan's planned visit to Vietnam for a charity has been cancelled following an online backlash related to Beijing's expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea.
The Hong Kong-born actor was set to visit Hanoi on November 10 to support Operation Smile, a charity that gives free surgery to children with facial disfigurements.
But the plans were scrapped after thousands of angry Facebook users flooded the charity's official page when his visit was announced last week.
Some of their comments claimed Chan had spoken in support of China's so-called nine-dash line -- its historic justification for its territorial claims in the resource-rich sea.
However, Chan has not explicitly expressed public support for the controversial maritime assertion.
Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei all have competing claims in the waterway that overlap with China's -- long a source of tension in the region.
Issuing a mea culpa Friday for failing "to predict the reaction" of the Vietnamese public, the charity asserted that their work is "non-political".
"We are very sorry... Operation Smile will not organise any activities with (Chan's) involvement" in Vietnam, they said.
Vietnam is one of Beijing's most vocal critics over the flashpoint South China Sea issue.
The foreign ministry on Thursday repeated its usual proclamation on the sea, citing the country's "full legal basis and true evidence to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty", deputy spokesperson Ngo Toan Thang told AFP.
Chan has in the past been accused of siding with China over Hong Kong's democracy protests after calling the unrest in his hometown "sad and depressing".
The comment sparked ire in Hong Kong but was warmly received by many in China where he has a massive fan base.
Earlier this month Hanoi pulled the DreamWorks film "Abominable" from theatres over a scene featuring a map showing the nine-dash line.
Beijing claims the majority of the South China Sea through the vague delineation, which is based on maps from the 1940s as the then-Republic of China snapped up islands from Japanese control.
"Abominable" is not being shown in Malaysia either after its distributor refused to cut the offending scene, while the Philippines also filed complaints.
The US this week accused Beijing of intimidating smaller countries in the South China Sea, a key global fishing route.
China has built military installations and manmade islands in the area, and for several weeks earlier this year sent a survey ship to waters claimed by Vietnam.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From Showbiz
-
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
6 hours ago -
Superstar Muhammad Ali remembered on 93rd birth anniversary
4 days ago -
Hania enjoys vacations in London
5 days ago -
Death anniversary of famous singer,actress Khursheed Bano observed
5 days ago -
Bushra Ansari ties knot with Iqbal Hussain
8 days ago -
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan embarks on Umrah journey
18 days ago
-
Famous singer Shaukat Ali death anniversary Shaukat Ali observed
21 days ago -
Animal Actor Shafina Shah loses Ms.Pakistan title
22 days ago -
Mehwish Hayat unveils trailer for upcoming film 'Dagha Baaz Dil’
22 days ago -
Welcome to the Beyonce rodeo: new country album drops to praise
24 days ago -
Welcome to the Beyonce rodeo: new country album drops to praise
25 days ago -
Ex-Gucci star Michele named Valentino creative director
26 days ago