China responds to Stone comments
Actress suggested earthquake was karmic
Stones comments, made at Cannes on Thursday in an interview with Hong Kong's Cable Entertainment News, link the recent disaster to China’s treatment of Tibetans during anti-Chinese riots in March.
“All these earthquakes and stuff happened and I thought, ‘Is that karma?’ When you are not nice, bad things happen to you. I’m not happy about how the Chinese are treating the Tibetans, I don’t think anyone should be unkind to anyone else. They’re not being very nice to the Dali Lama, who’s a good friend of mine,” she said.
She also said that she cried when she heard of the quake and hoped to help the victims, but these remarks have received less attention in China.
Industryites in China have condemned Stone’s remarks.
“This actress does not deserve our attention. The best way is to ignore her. I will never watch her films in future,” said thesp Li Wei.
Fellow actor Lu Qilong accused Stone of lacking respect, saying: “Sharon Stone’s remarks made all Chinese people and the world shocked and angry. She does not respect the Chinese people, or people’s lives. Sichuan’s earthquake affects everyone’s heart.”
“The earthquake is not only China’s disaster, but a disaster for all of mankind. Sharon Stone’s performance shows that not only does she lack love, but she lacks humanity. How could she say such things!” said thesp Tong Dawei.
Stone appeared at the Shanghai Film Festival last year and was well-received for her comments about life and love, as well as her praise for China’s ancient civilization.
China continues to mourn its dead following the 7.9-magnitude quake on May 12.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who numbers Richard Gere and others among his friends in Hollywood, has praised the Chinese response to the quake, prayed for the victims and called for a suspension of demonstrations against Chinese rule as relief efforts continue.
