Calls to boycott ‘Mulan’ after star backs HK police

Hong Kong, Aug 17 (IANS) Disney's live-action remake of the animated film "Mulan" is facing calls for a boycott, after its star voiced support for Hong Kong's police force, who anti-government protesters have accused of using excessive force.

On Thursday, Chinese actress Liu Yifei, a naturalised US citizen, reposted a viral pro-police comment on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the BBC reported on Saturday.

Liu had shared a Weibo post from the government-run Beijing newspaper People's Daily that read (in Chinese): "I also support Hong Kong police. You can beat me up now."

The post adds in English: "What a shame for Hong Kong."

The quote referred to what are said to be the words of a reporter for the state newspaper Global Times, who was attacked by protesters at Hong Kong's airport earlier this week after being accused of being an undercover police agent.

She received widespread support on the platform, which is subject to censorship.

But on Twitter, which is banned in China, the hashtag #BoycottMulan began gaining traction on Friday.

Twitter users accused the actress of supporting police brutality, and also pointed to the freedoms she enjoys as an American citizen.

Hong Kong has been shaken by protests, violence and non-cooperative action since June 9, sparked by the now-abandoned extradition bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent back to mainland China, reports the South China Morning Post.

The extradition bill issue has morphed into a broader movement seeking to reverse a decline in freedoms in the former British colony.

However, violence between the police and demonstrators has been on the rise with the succession of protest marches.