(TibetanReview.net, Feb27’16) – China’s state media has on Feb 26 criticized Hong Kong Singer Faye Wong and actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, along with mainland actor Hu Jun, for having sat close to “two core figures of the Dalai Lama group” when they took part in a Tibetan Buddhist event in India recently. Hong Kong’s pro-China Chinese language daily Ming Pao has cited Tibet.cn, which focuses on Tibet related news, as saying in a commentary that many Western film stars had been criticised for their support for the Dalai Lama and Chinese celebrities should have learned the lesson.
“Why do Faye Wong and Tony Leung still sit together with them knowing they are the heads of separatist forces? What on earth are they doing?” the article was quoted as having asked.
Hu has responded by saying in a statement on his social media account by saying he was unaware there were “separatist forces” in the crowd. “I don’t know any separatists. I was only in a religious gathering praying for blessings. As a Chinese, I am against any comments and actions that aim to separate the county!” the SCMP.com Feb 26 quoted Hu as having said.
The commentary as described Faye Wong as “a spokesperson for India’s pilgrimage tourism” as she has visited the country to worship many times. However, it has said celebrities should be more cautious in their religious activities as “mingling with separatist forces” was beyond the limits of religious freedom.
Earlier, film star Jet Li was also accused two years ago of funding Dalai Lama’s “separatist forces” after he and his wife had a photograph taken with the Dalai Lama, noted the SCMP.com report.
Calling the communist party government’s outrage as public outrage, the commentary has cited the examples of Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang, who showed support for the Occupy movement; Hong Kong actor Chapman To, who made a comment criticizing mainland Chinese; Taiwanese singer A-Mei, who sang the national anthem of Taiwan at a presidential inauguration; and Taiwanese singer Chou Tzu-yu, 16, who was forced to apologize for waving the Taiwanese flag on a television show.
And the article warned the trio to behave well, saying that if they do whatever they want as celebrities in the name of freedom, they will have to eat humble pie.