- Title: EAST TIMOR: Jackie Chan wows martial arts teachers, fans in East Timor
- Date: 26th June 2008
- Summary: MARTIAL ARTS ATHLETE SHOWING OFF HIS MOVES A GROUP OF FEMALE KARATE ATHLETES SHOWING THEIR MOVES (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE STAR JACKIE CHAN SAYING: "I think the best way to promote Timor is by making a movie with a very big director and big actor. But we need a script.." CHAN PERFORMING SOME MARTIAL ARTS MOVES FOLLOWED BY TEACHERS IN THE STADIUM MORE OF ACT
- Embargoed: 11th July 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA58UMO592X1AP7TK0TOXL76S91
- Story Text: International movie star Jackie Chan showed off his trademark moves to martial arts teachers and fans in a Dili stadium during the second day of his goodwill visit to East Timor, where street gangs have used similar moves to inflict violence on the people.
Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan showed on Wednesday (June 25) his trademark moves to martial arts teachers and fans in East Timor's main stadium during the second day of his goodwill visit to the country, where street gangs have used similar moves to inflict violence on the people.
Fans crowded outside the National Stadium in capital Dili to take catch the arrival of Chan, who is on a three-day visit as UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He waved at the fans and entered to a thunderous welcome inside the stadium as hundreds of martial arts teachers prepared to get lessons from him.
East Timor prime minister Xanana Gusmao, the independence hero who became the country's first president, joined Chan in the stadium where both playfully showed off some kung-fu moves in front of Gusmao's wife and the crowd.
East Timor is the world's youngest democracy but has yet to achieve political stability with violence breaking out in 2006 and 2007, the latest where 37 people were killed and others sought refuge as street gangs burned houses down, beat up people and looted businesses.
Chan, who spoke to youths in a Dili youth centre near a crime-ridden area yesterday, said he had no idea how to help the Timorese.
"Very dilemma. I dont know how many things I can do when I arrived. For two days, I really really can help all the children but I have no idea," he said, adding he preached them to use martial arts for peace and harmony, not violence and strife.
The stadium crowd cheered as a lion dance troupe performed while martial arts students and athletes, including a group of girls learning karate, showed of their skills and moves in front of Chan.
The movie star, who has acted in box-office hits in Hong Kong and Hollywood, had some ideas to make East Timor famous as he watched the martial arts display.
"I think the best way to promote Timor is by making a movie with a very big director and big actor. But we need a script," he said.
Chan later performed his trademark moves as a large group of martial arts teachers followed him in the centre of the stadium. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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