Jackie Chan's trip to Vietnam cancelled over China sea row

Martial-arts film star Jackie Chan's planned visit to Vietnam for a charity has been cancelled following an online backlash related to Beijing's expansive claims in disputed South China Sea. Hong Kong-born actor was set to visit Hai on vember 10 to support Operation Smile, a charity that gives free surgery to children with facial disfigurements. But plans were scrapped after thousands of angry Facebook users flooded charity's official p when his visit was anunced last week.

READ: China Hopes Vietnam Does t 'complicate' South China Sea Issue

Chan's trip to Vietnam cancelled

Some of ir comments claimed Chan had spoken in support of China's so-called nine-dash line its historic justification for its territorial claims in resource-rich sea. However, Chan has t explicitly expressed public support for controversial maritime assertion. Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei all have competing claims in waterway that overlap with China's long a source of tension in region. Issuing a mea culpa Friday for failing "to predict reaction" of Vietnamese public, charity asserted that ir work is "n-political".

"We are very sorry... Operation Smile will t organise any activities with (Chan's) involvement" in Vietnam, y said.

READ: Vietnam Bans Animated 'Abominable' Movie Over South China Sea Map

Vietnam is one of Beijing's most vocal critics over flashpoint South China Sea issue. foreign ministry on Thursday repeated its usual proclamation on sea, citing country's "full legal basis and true evidence to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty", deputy spokesperson Ngo Toan Thang told AFP. Chan has in past been accused of siding with China over Hong Kong's democracy protests after calling unrest in his hometown "sad and depressing". comment sparked ire in Hong Kong but was warmly received by many in China where he has a massive fan base. Earlier this month Hai pulled DreamWorks film "Abominable" from atres over a scene featuring a map showing nine-dash line.

READ: China Ready To Work With ASEAN Members To Solve South China Sea Issue

Current scenario about South China Sea

Beijing claims majority of South China Sea through vague delineation, which is based on maps from 1940s as n-Republic of China snapped up islands from Japanese control. "Abominable" is t being shown in Malaysia eir after its distributor refused to cut offending scene, while Philippines also filed complaints. US this week accused Beijing of intimidating smaller countries in South China Sea, a key global fishing route. China has built military installations and manmade islands in area, and for several weeks earlier this year sent a survey ship to waters claimed by Vietnam.

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