Award-winning actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has denied voicing support for the central government's actions during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, after human rights activists accused him of selling his conscience to boost his career on the mainland.
The former Cannes award-winner said in a statement that B International magazine had 'misquoted' him and taken his comments on his new movie, Hero - which premiered last night - out of context.
In the interview, the 40-year-old was said to have drawn an analogy between Beijing and the emperor Qin Shihuang, portrayed in Hero, by saying he supported the tyrannical emperor's actions as long as they led to peace.
'I agree with the message of peace and human kindness in the film,' he was quoted as saying. 'For example, during the June 4 incident, I didn't join in any demonstrations because what the Chinese government did was right - to maintain stability, which was good for everybody.'
However, after activists accused the star of ignorance, a statement was released on his behalf saying it had not been his intention to make personal comments on political issues.
'We would like to first clarify that his interview was misquoted,' it said. 'He regrets any misunderstanding over this matter.'