As the Hong Kong protests escalate in scope and China toys with the idea of retaliation, the true meaning of the protests becomes clearer.

‘They’re prepared to die’: What the Hong Kong protests are really about

Actor and martial arts legend Jackie Chan has sparked controversy after weighing into the Hong Kong protests.

The actor, who was born in the semi-autonomous territory, sparked fury from the pro-democracy demonstrators after he said he feels “pride in being Chinese” and “hopes Hong Kong can return to peace soon” during an interview with China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

“I have visited many countries, and I can say, our country has been rapidly developing in recent years. I feel pride in being Chinese wherever I go, and the ‘Five-starred Red Flag’ is respected everywhere around the world,” the 65-year-old said.

“I also deeply feel that safety, stability, and peace are just like fresh air, you never know how precious it is until you lose it.

“Hong Kong and China are my birthplaces and my home. China is my country, I love my country, I love my home. I hope that Hong Kong can return to peace soon.”

In a recent interview with CCTV, #HongKong native and martial arts star Jackie Chan talked about what it meant to be Chinese and hoped that Hong Kong would be able to find peace pic.twitter.com/gJk8YuzBoq — CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 14, 2019

Chan’s comments sparked a backlash on Twitter, with angry social media users deeming him “shameless”.

For those who still don’t understand why #HongKong people hate Jackie Chan. https://t.co/dXtb9e3k7H — Rachel Cheung (@rachel_cheung1) August 15, 2019

When you see the name Jackie Chan you know you need to find a sickness bag.

To all the foreigner friends who still think he’s popular in #hongkong, he’s in fact one of the most hated celebrities here. A greedy has-been who still wants to gross from mainlanders’ wallets.#antiELAB https://t.co/jm8tgUXhtr — Piggy in Blue (@PiggyinBlue) August 15, 2019

Jackie Chan, the shameless communist bastard! He stands with CCP against freedom loving people of Hong Kong! He’s betrayed Hong Kong. And yet, foolish people in the West love to watch his fake kungfu movies! Boycott Jackie Chan!!! https://t.co/h5If8CBXlb — Erkin Dolet (@DoletErkin) August 15, 2019

Chan’s pro-China stance is not new. He has been openly supportive of Beijing, and sparked a similar controversy after he deemed Hong Kong a “city of protest” during a 2012 interview.

“The authorities should stipulate what issues people can protest over and on what issues it is not allowed,” he said in that interview.

He also regularly participates in Chinese media events.

China has warned it will not “sit by and watch” the unrest unfolding in Hong Kong, as US President Donald Trump expressed concern over the risk of a violent response to pro-democracy protests.

Mr Trump urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet with demonstrators, while US National Security Adviser John Bolton warned Beijing against creating a “new” Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong, referring to the deadly 1989 crackdown on protesters in Beijing.

The weeks-long Hong Kong protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights.

The movement represents the greatest challenge to Beijing’s authority since the city was handed back by the British in 1997 under a deal that allowed it to keep freedoms that many Hongkongers feel are being eroded.

— with AFP