Comments made by Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan that Chinese people "need to be controlled," drew criticism in China's press as it belatedly reported his views on Monday.

Chan, best-known for his martial-arts comedies, told an annual meeting of governments and business leaders on Saturday that China should be wary of allowing too many freedoms.

"I don't know whether it is better to have freedom or to have no freedom," numerous mainland news websites quoted Chan as saying at the Boao Forum for Asia.

"With too much freedom ... it can get very chaotic, could end up like in Hong Kong or like in Taiwan... I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled."

The remarks drew wide comment in the state media, with commentaries criticising Chan for a lack of knowledge of China's current situation.

"The comments made by Jackie Chan ... show that he is ignorant of democracy," said a commentary on the Huamei Website, which is run by journalists.

"(His) statement is based on the discriminatory view that Chinese people cannot manage themselves and is built on the idea that Chinese are like a herd of sheep that lack self-discipline and self-restraint."

A commentary on the news website of the Liaoning government in northeast China said Chan had ignored China's efforts to build the rule of law and improve people's lives through economic reforms.

"The Chinese people have risen up and become the masters of their nation, we are no longer slaves," the commentary said.

"But it seems that this kind of free life is not appropriate for our Mr Chan."

Other news articles reported on the negative reaction amongst Chinese communities in the region, especially in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"I just think he is crazy. I do not know why he made those remarks," Hong Kong lawmaker Emily Lau, vice chairwoman of the Democratic Party, told AFP.

"I haven't met anyone who thinks Hong Kong is in chaos. It is very regrettable. I think he should make an apology and stop talking such nonsense."

Source: AFP