‘I’ll Just Make Less Then’: Actor Chow Yun-Fat Responds To Alleged PRC Ban For Supporting HK Protests

When asked about being banned in mainland China after voicing support for the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, actor Chow Yun-fat simply replied, “I’ll just make less then”.

Chow was asked by reporters at Kowloon Park after news had surfaced that the Chinese central government had put him on a blacklist.

In early October, the Hong Kong celebrity spoke out in support of the student sit-ins, which just entered their unlikely fifth week, during an interview with Apple Daily.

“I’ve met the residents, the students — they are very brave and it’s touching to see that they’re fighting for what they want. The students are reasonable. If the government can come up with a solution that the citizens or students are satisfied with, I believe the crisis will end.”

Chow, who has in the past been praised for his graciousness and general likability, also criticized the police’s use of tear gas on demonstrators during the first week of peaceful sit-ins.

“When the government uses violent measures on students, it’s a turn-off for the people of Hong Kong,” he said. “I don’t wish to see anyone getting hurt… it was a peaceful demonstration, and there was no need for any violence or tear gas.”

Chow is among a contingent of famous figures from Hong Kong and Taiwan who’ve voiced support for the protesters, including Hong Kong singer Denise Ho, actor Tony Leung and actor-singer Andy Lau. Even American saxophonist Kenny G stumbled out of obscurity and into the scene, inciting a mild political scandal when he posed for photos with students at a protest site.

Hong Kong singer Anthony Wong, who’s also taken part in the demonstrations, told The New York Times that two of his mainland China shows in November have been “indefinitely postponed” by organizers.

“I’m just guessing, but I think they are trying to ban us because they’re afraid of different views,” he said. “They fear that we would spread them. And of course it’s an attempt to punish us, a cold-shoulder treatment of sorts, so we can’t earn their money.”

The threat of being cut off doesn’t seem to faze Chow, who’s already happily announced that he’s got plenty enough money to share (and will).

via Shanghaiist