- Title: Calls for 'Mulan' boycott after star shows support for Hong Kong police
- Date: 16th August 2019
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (FILE - APRIL 16, 2008) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) CHINESE ACTORS JET LI AND JACKIE CHAN ARRIVING ON RED CARPET, HOLDING HANDS WITH JET LI'S DAUGHTER, ACTRESSES LIU (IN WHITE DRESS) AND LI BINGBING (IN BLACK DRESS) WALKING CHAN AND LIU POSING FOR PHOTOS VARIOUS OF CAST MEMBERS OF FILM "THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM" POSING FOR PHOTOS ON THE RED CARPET BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 30, 2017) (REUTERS) WOMAN LOOKING AT COMPUTER MONITORS
- Embargoed: 30th August 2019 12:18
- Keywords: Chinese actress Liu Yifei Mulan Weibo post Hong Kong protests #boycottMulan Disney remake
- Location: BEIJING AND SHANGHAI, CHINA / INTERNET / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- City: BEIJING AND SHANGHAI, CHINA / INTERNET / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA004ASGWMYV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The upcoming Disney live-action remake of "Mulan" is facing boycott calls after its Chinese star expressed support for Hong Kong police following weeks of increasingly hostile confrontations with pro-democracy protesters.
In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo actress Liu Yifei wrote in Mandarin "I support Hong Kong police. You can attack me now," adding in English: "What a shame for Hong Kong".
Ten weeks of confrontations between police and protesters have plunged Hong Kong into its worst crisis since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, and have presented the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jingping since he came to power in 2012.
The protests began in opposition to a now-suspended bill that would have allowed the extradition of suspects for trial in mainland China, but have swelled into wider calls for democracy.
More than 700 people have been arrested since the protests began in June, and tear gas has frequently been used by police in attempts to disperse protests across the city.
Since Liu's post many people have taken to Twitter to criticise the actress and call on a boycott on "Mulan".
"Do I want my kids to watch the @DisneyStudios @Disney movie and look up the actress @yifei_cc to find out that she supports the Hong Kong police brutality and violence? What a shame for Disney. #BoycottMulan #HongKongProtests," tweeted Kyle E. M.
Some social media users, however, have urged others to not be too quick to draw conclusions.
"Several Chinese celebrities are voicing their opinions in favor of China to protect themselves and their families. Freedom of speech does not exist in China. If you feel the need to #BoycottMulan then feel free but this situation is not as black and white as it appears," HAPPY LIBBI DAY wrote.
Liu, a popular star of Chinese film and dramas is a naturalized citizen of the United States. She is fluent in English and has also appeared in several international co-productions such as "Outcast," where she starred alongside Nicholas Cage.
"Mulan" is scheduled for release in 2020.
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