Jackie Chan's son jailed for six months in China

BEIJING - Jaycee Chan, the son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan, was jailed for six months in China on Friday on a drugs charge, the latest celebrity felled by the government's aggressive anti-narcotics campaign.

The younger Chan, a 32-year-old actor and singer, was formally charged last month with "the crime of sheltering others to take drugs" after testing positive for marijuana, with police saying they found 100 grams of the drug at his home. He faced a maximum prison sentence of three years.

A judge in Beijing's Eastern District Court, where Chan was being tried, sentenced Chan to six months in prison and fined him 2,000 yuan ($322), according to a microblog post by the court.

Chan is likely to be set free in over a month as the authorities would take into account the time he had spent in detention since last August, according to Si Weijiang, a lawyer.

Prosecutors said on Friday Jaycee Chan had made his home available for two people, surnamed Ke and Li, to smoke marijuana, according to the court.

The court said Chan had "voluntarily pleaded guilty" to the prosecutors' allegations.

"I have broken the law and should be punished," Chan said in his final statement to the court, according to the microblog. "When I return to society, I will not repeat this because I have let my family and friends down yet again."

Dozens of reporters gathered outside the courthouse in Beijing for the trial.

Celebrities have been a major linchpin in the government's campaign to get tough on drugs. Jaycee Chan is among a string of other mostly B-list celebrities detained last year by Chinese authorities on drug-related charges that have been publicised widely in both state and social media. They have included movie and television stars, film directors and a prominent screenwriter.

The court's microblog showed Chan in court, dressed in a black sweater and blue trousers.

Illegal drugs, especially synthetic substances like methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstasy, have grown in popularity in China in tandem with the rise of a new urban class with greater disposable income.

Last month, state media reported that Jackie Chan felt ashamed of his son's drug abuse and hopes that one day he will speak out about the dangers of taking drugs.

The older Chan had served as a goodwill spokesman for the China National Anti-Drug Committee in 2009, promoting anti-drug education.

Last year, a Chinese court jailed singer Li Daimo for nine months on a drug charge, according to Chinese media reports.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jackie Chan's son charged with drug offense in China

BEIJING - China's state prosecutor said on Monday it had formally charged Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan, with a drugs offense, meaning he is almost certain to face trial.

The younger Chan, a 32-year-old actor and singer, was arrested in Beijing this year after testing positive for marijuana, with police saying they found 100 grams of the drug at his home.

In a brief statement on its official microblog, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said it had begun legal proceedings against him for "the crime of sheltering others to take drugs". It did not elaborate.

President Xi Jinping said in June that China would "harshly crack down" on narcotics, state media reported.

Action and comedy star Jackie Chan, 60, served as a goodwill spokesman for the China National Anti-Drug Committee in 2009, state media reported, promoting anti-drug education.

Jaycee Chan was not available for comment. In August, his father offered the public a "deep bow of apology" for his son's arrest.

China has detained a string of other mostly B-list celebrities in recent months on drug-related charges, cases that have been publicised widely in both state and social media. They have included movie and television stars, film directors and a prominent screenwriter.

Drug crimes carry harsh penalties in China including death or life imprisonment in serious cases.

Illegal drugs, especially synthetic substances like methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstasy, have grown in popularity in China in tandem with the rise of a new urban class with greater disposable income.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

As body ages, Jackie Chan longs for Hollywood's full embrace

BEVERLY HILLS, California - Jackie Chan wasn't in the mood for proclamations.

The Hong Kong martial arts film star, who declared last year at France's Cannes film festival that he was retiring from action films, now says that after more than a decade of contemplating quitting, he is going to let his body decide.

"When I was 40-something the media would ask me and then I said another five years, and then five years and five years until now," the Kung Fu actor said in an interview promoting his 2012 Chinese action film "Chinese Zodiac," which will be released in U.S. cinemas on Friday.

"Six more months and I'm going to be 60," Chan said. "And I (will) see how far I can go until my body tells me, 'Stop.'"

Chan, famous for performing all of his high-flying and physically punishing stunts, has appeared in more than 100 films and now writes, produces and directs his own films in Asia.

"I get hurt," the actor said after 50 years of flips, kicks and punches. "It gets really tiring, not like it used to be."

The only real outward sign of aging in Chan are some crow's feet around the eyes. He is obviously in great shape still, but won't reveal his secrets for staying that way.

But as Chan starts to enter his twilight years he laments how Hollywood typecasting may force him to begin using a stunt double for his acrobatic scenes as he believes Hollywood studios would never cast him in dramatic roles.

"I hope the audience, after they say, 'Jackie, that's a double!,' they forgive me," Chan said in his trademark broad-grinned and animated style.

"Then I can continue (my career) because poor me, nobody in Hollywood hires me to make a 'Kramer vs. Kramer' (or) like 'Sound of Music' - actually I'm a pretty good singer - and nobody hires me to do this kind of film," Chan said, referring to the 1979 family drama and 1965 musical, both Oscar winners.

"All we think about Jackie Chan: Chris Tucker, 'Rush Hour' one, two, and three ... always action-comedy, action-comedy," he said about the "Rush Hour" buddy-cop film series with comedian Chris Tucker that helped Chan cement his place in Hollywood 15 years ago.

TURNED DOWN 'INTERPRETER'

Chan has already added "dramatic actor" to his resume with the 2011 Chinese historical drama "1911" about the revolution that overthrew China's final imperial dynasty.

"I really hope someday in Hollywood, some producer or director will hire me only to do drama," Chan said. "I (would) really appreciate it."

But that is never going to happen, Chan believes.

"Why?" he asks rhetorically with a sigh. "Because the audience is just not used to seeing Jackie Chan doing drama."

Chan's ideal roles would be in films such as 1988 Oscar-winner "Rain Man," which starred Dustin Hoffman as a savant and Tom Cruise as his yuppie brother together on a road trip, or 1982's "Tootsie," also starring Hoffman as an actor who dresses as a woman to land acting roles.

"It's just ... my English is not that good," Chan explains.

That also held him back from pursuing a role in "The Interpreter," a 2005 thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn. Chan said his manager thought the role would be good but told him the amount of dialogue was too tough.

Chan said that although the part would have been difficult, he does regret turning it down because he lost an opportunity to work with Kidman and a chance to burnish his legacy.

"I see so many action stars all those years come and go, and come and go," Chan said. "Action stars cannot live too long, unlike drama, true actors, like Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, they live forever."

(Editing by Mary Milliken and Cynthia Osterman)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Unicef Ambassador of Goodwill Jackie Chan visits Myanmar to help fight child trafficking

YANGON - International action-film star and UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan is in Myanmar this week to help United Nations efforts to combat child trafficking in the country.

“Trafficking and exploiting children are horrific crimes. They leave lifelong scars and rob children of their childhoods,” Chan said. “Children are not for sale. For the sake the world’s children, we must work hard to stamp out these damaging and criminal practices.”

During his three-day visit, Chan will visit a vocational training center for trafficked children who have managed to return to their homes but are in need of special care and support. He will also travel to Unicef-supported projects assisting children at risk of being trafficked, including those without parental care and children who are living and working on the street.

According to Unicef, every year some 1.2 million children are trafficked worldwide. Trafficking, which represents a multimillion-dollar enterprise, exposes children to physical violence, sexual abuse, and grave emotional distress.

Trafficking is also closely linked to migration, the agency notes. Tens of millions of people migrate for work within their own countries and across borders in the region. When they are far away from their homes and support systems, families – especially children – face an increased risk of being trafficked.

While in Myanmar, Chan will discuss how to effectively combat trafficking with Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare and with members of its anti-trafficking police task force.

“It is very important that young people know how to protect themselves,” said Chan. “Simple things, like knowing not to trust anyone who promises you a dream job in another country; never going to an unknown place alone; knowing your parents’ and your own full name and age; and being able to explain where you live, help children guard against traffickers.”

Chan has been a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador since 2004.

source: interaksyon.com

Jackie Chan made 'ambassador' of Brazilian plane maker

SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS -- Brazil's leading planemaker Embraer is eyeing the large Chinese market, and on Friday presented a Legacy 650 executive jet to martial arts star Jackie Chan to help build its brand there.

Embraer said in a statement that Chan would help the company promote "its entire line of executive aircraft, not only in the rapidly growing greater China market, but globally."

"This delivery is a moment of historical importance to Embraer because it solidifies an already long and successful relationship between China and Embraer," said Ernest Edwards, president of Embraer's Executive Jets unit.

By turning to Chan, a Hong Kong Chinese superstar with global appeal, Embraer hopes to translate his charisma and celebrity into increased recognition and sales for the Brazilian jets.

"I believe that Embraer is poised to become a major player in the Chinese executive jet market," said Chan, who described himself as a "brand ambassador" for the manufacturer.

The ebullient actor, singer and cultural icon toasted the company's executives as they stood together in front of the plane customized with Chinese colors of red and yellow and the name "Jackie" painted on the tail.

The Legacy 650 has a range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers) and can fly four passengers nonstop from Beijing to Dubai or from Hong Kong to Adelaide, Australia. It sells for about $30 million.

Hong Kong-born Chan, who has put his martial arts skills to use in several blockbuster films, is also respected for his commitment to world philanthropic causes and devotion to the promotion of Chinese culture.

Embraer, the world's third largest commercial aircraft maker behind American Boeing and Europe's Airbus, is the only manufacturer offering a full line of executive jets, from entry level to ultra-large aircraft.

source: interaksyon.com

Jackie Chan's Tweets on Manila bus deaths draw ire

HONG KONG (AP) - Jackie Chan's Tweets about the Manila bus hijacking have drawn a barrage of Internet attacks in his native Hong Kong, which lost eight residents in the tragedy.

An armed former police officer seeking reinstatement commandeered a bus carrying a Hong Kong tour guide and 20 tourists in the Philippine capital on Monday. He released several children and elderly hostages early on, but later opened fire on the remaining hostages after a daylong standoff with police, killing eight before being shot by a police sniper.

Outraged Hong Kongers have criticized the Philippine government for acting too slowly.

But Chan, Hong Kong's most famous celebrity, has taken a more diplomatic tack, suggesting in comments through his Twitter account that the Philippine police faced a tough dilemma.

"If they killed the guy sooner, they will say why not negotiate first? If they negotiate first, they ask why not kill the guy sooner? So sad," the veteran action star wrote on Wednesday.

He also urged Hong Kongers not to direct their anger at Filipinos living in Hong Kong. Tens of thousands of Filipinos work as live-in domestic helpers for Hong Kong families.

The comments did not go down well with his compatriots. Facebook users quickly set up three groups called "Jackie Chan doesn't represent me" and drew a slew of sharply worded attacks.

"Shut up! Hong Kong people don't need you. You side with outsiders and not your own. You will face karmic retribution for your disrespect for the victims," Iris Yau said.

"He just doesn't understand the pain of Hong Kong people," Violet Wing wrote.

Edward Tang, a publicist for Chan, didn't immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Chan has a history of making controversial comments.

He caused an uproar last year by saying at a business forum it may not be good for authoritarian China to become a free society, saying freedoms in democratic Taiwan and Hong Kong - which enjoys some free elections - made those societies "chaotic."


source- philstar.com