London, Apr 20 (ANI): Action star Jackie Chan has sparked an outrage after claiming that too much political freedom in China isn't good, and that people need to be controlled.

While speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia, the 55-year-old actor said that he wasn't sure if a free society was what the country needed, as too much freedom could lead to chaos like in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic," the Independent quoted Chan as saying.

"I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want," he added.

Chan's comments have been panned by Hong Kong pro-democracy legislators.

"He's insulted the Chinese people. Chinese people aren't pets," said pro-democracy legislator Leung Kwok-hung.

"Chinese society needs a democratic system to protect human rights and the rule of law," he added.

Veteran Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Albert Ho also branded Chan's remarks as "racist".

"People around the world are running their own countries. Why can't Chinese do the same?" he added.

Democratic Taiwan, MP Huang Wei-che said Chan "has enjoyed freedom and democracy and has reaped the economic benefits of capitalism. But he has yet to grasp the true meaning of freedom and democracy". (ANI)