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Thread: Li Lian Jie (Jet Li)

  1. #901
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    Our exclusive

    Gene Ching
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  2. #902
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    Some random vids in the wake of Jet

    Jet Li at the U.N. 2011

    World Champion Kung Fu Show 2011

    Wushu Martial Arts Exhibition/Performance
    18 August 2011

    With a theme “Peace, Friendship and Health”, featuring 80 performers from various countries (sponsored by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Chinese in cooperation with the International Wushu Foundation)

    The event will open with brief remarks from a Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Jet Li, Goodwill Ambassador for W.H.O
    Running time: 01:55:03
    Language(s) available: English
    18 August 2011 Jet Li and the China World Champion Wushu Team ring the NYSE Closing Bell
    Gene Ching
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  3. #903
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    Now you know what to get me for xmas

    I'd love one of these watches.

    Fighting talk
    Updated: 2011-12-22 07:43
    By Gan Tian (China Daily)


    The 1982 film Shaolin Temple featuring Jet Li (right). Twenty-nine years later, Li uses every opportunity to promote tai chi and his charity. Provided to China Daily

    Jet Li says he'll focus more on combating injustice through charity and promoting tai chi, and less on kungfu flicks. Gan Tian reports.

    Kungfu superstar Jet Li says acting is just a hobby now. He has seldom appeared in public to promote his films in the past three years. But he has seized every chance to discuss tai chi and his charity. And he espouses a new philosophy about martial arts - that traditional culture should be commercialized to survive.

    In his recent partnership with Swiss watchmaker Hublot, the 48-year-old designed a luxury watch under its Big Bang series. It features a Shaolin Temple window on the front and the yin-and-yang pattern with Li's signature on the back. Only 200 were made.

    "It is all about yin and yang in tai chi, as it is a combination of the advanced Western watch-making technology and traditional Chinese culture," he says.

    Li believes few young Chinese people pay attention to their own culture and heritage - not because they are not fascinating but because they need to be more merchandized, he says.

    "We can't wait for the world to come to see our culture," Li says.

    "We have to promote it to the world. To merchandize tai chi is a new way to promote it."

    He says he has been pondering this for nearly 30 years. When he was in the United States in the early 1980s, he met a Chinese kungfu master and a South Korean taekwondo master.

    The Chinese opened three martial art clubs. He taught several hundreds of apprentices himself. But the South Korean master hired his students to start a business, and has more than 10,000 clubs all over the US.

    "It suddenly occurred to me, at that moment, it (commercialization) would not work in this way," Li says.

    "Our culture could not be duplicated and turned into business. We have to find solutions."

    It was at that time Li founded his first company promoting kungfu and tai chi, but it wasn't profitable.

    "At the beginning of the 1980s, people were not familiar with the market-oriented economy, and they thought I was 'promoting capitalism'. That's why I failed," Li says.

    But he is starting again 30 years later. To explain his approach to promoting tai chi, Li used the traditional Chinese adage "tianshi, dili, renhe", which literally translates as "good timing, geographical convenience and good support from the people".

    The domestic and foreign markets for tai chi exist, and public understanding is forming. But most importantly, China needs a cultural signature, Li says, and he believes that should be tai chi.

    He partnered with sportswear giant adidas in 2009 to launch the tai chi-inspired Wu Ji collection.

    This April, Li founded the company Taichi Zen with Alibaba Group's chairman Jack Ma. The martial artist tries to promote tai chi as a fashionable sport for young people like India's yoga, Japan's judo and South Korea's taekwondo.

    At the same time, Li believes tai chi is not only a sport but also a complicated philosophy about the balance that exists in everything, including the military, politics, culture and economics.

    Li adopts some principles from tai chi's philosophy in running his charity One Foundation, whose central concept is "One Person + One Dollar + One Month = One Family".

    He's currently in discussions with China Mobile about launching a special One Foundation program through which users can donate 1 yuan (16 US cents) a month. China Mobile has 500 million to 700 million users, so the foundation could generate that many yuan a month, he says.

    Li believes One Foundation will change people's stereotypes about charity.

    "My goal is to prepare for the future," he says.

    "No matter what natural disasters happen, we have enough money to help people. It's the same with the traditional Chinese philosophy of, moving keeps people alive and always be prepared."

    When asked whether he still practices kungfu daily, Li laughs, and says: "You mean physically or mentally? Physically, I do not. But mentally, I never cease."
    Hublot & Jet Li

    Hublot Unveils Limited Edition Jet Li Timepiece At Tai Chi-Infused Event
    Tuesday, December 20th, 2011


    Hublot Jet Li watch release event in Dalian

    The Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot, which counts actor Jet Li and the popular Chinese blogger Han Han among its brand ambassadors, held one of its largest promotional events of the year this month in the northeast Chinese city of Dalian. Held to launch the new limited edition Jet Li model, the “Art of Fusion” event was marked with a performance by 100 tai chi practitioners, bringing together two of Li’s non-acting-related activities: promoting both Hublot and the art of tai chi. Present at the launch were Li and Hublot execs like managing director, Ricardo Guadalupe.

    The limited edition Hublot Jet Li watch, jointly designed by Li and Hublot, is limited to 200 pieces globally, with pricing as yet undetermined. Featuring a black open-worked frame with accents inspired by traditional Chinese screens on the watch face, the rear cover includes a yin-yang symbol and Jet Li’s signature. Extending Li’s philanthropic activities, Hublot will donate a portion of sales from the watch to Li’s One Foundation.

    As Ricardo Guadalupe said at the event, “The collaboration between Hublot and Jet Li represents a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, marking the very highest status of watches in China while making a significant contribution to charity. This is a truly invaluable partnership for us.”

    Remarking on the partnership, Li — who became Hublot’s first-ever Asian brand ambassador in November 2010 — said, “I truly admire that as a luxury brand, Hublot also remains incredibly active in its support of charity initiatives worldwide with its ‘Sharing and Caring’ philosophy, sharing its success with individuals who need care the most.”

    While tai chi and Swiss luxury watches may seem like an odd fit for an event, Jet Li is currently working to promote tai chi worldwide via his new Taichi Zen institutes, announced at Alifest in Hangzhou this past September. As Jing Daily wrote after attending the event:

    Jet Li said that the combination of tai chi and Zen (Chan) Buddhism to be taught in his Taichi Zen schools can become something of a “cultural product” of China, one that appeals to people around the world. Li likened this type of readily identifiable cultural product to Hollywood for the U.S., yoga for India, and espresso for Italy, adding that he thought a country can’t be truly “great” until it becomes a cultural, rather than simply an economic, force domestically and globally.

    For its part, this is not Hublot’s first charity linkup with its Asian brand ambassadors. This past April, a Hublot F1 watch customized by Han Han was put up for auction, eventually raising US$160,000 yuan (US$25,000) for Jet Li’s One Foundation, and last month the watchmaker released a “Han Han Hublot Limited Edition” watch, with all sales proceeds going to support F1 driver training for young Chinese racers and reward outstanding young talent.




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  4. #904

    No problem

    Since they only made two hundred, I am sure it will be very affordable.

  5. #905
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    That's cool

    I only need 1.
    Gene Ching
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  6. #906
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    Suddenly, it all makes sense.

    And The Most Beautiful In The World is... A Dog!
    By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
    Published: March 24, 2013


    Filipina title holders the likes of Venus Raj, Janine Tugonon, and Shamcey Supsup may have failed to bag the highly-coveted Miss Universe crown but someone else from the Philippines did it for them.

    Enter Philippine-Italian Canton Jet Li, a locally-bred Pomeranian who bested more than 200 other Pomeranians from all over the world and bagged the “Mr. Universe” crown for dogs. And proved once more that the Philippines is not just home to beauty queens but also to the most beautiful canines. Jet Li’s cunning abilities, stance, styles, talents, and tricks have again brought pride to our country in international contests. This also demonstrates the skills of the breeder in producing today’s dog champions.

    The recently concluded global dog show competition, American Pomeranian Club (APC) Nationals held in Kentucky, USA last March 10-13, bestowed the championship award to the three-year-old Philippine-bred Pomeranian in the Best of Breed (Best in Specialty Show) category. The dog champion, Philippine Italian Canton Jet Li, bested more than 200 Pomeranians, 50 of which were earlier American Champions.

    Hundreds of owners and breeders from all over the world displayed and paraded their charming and pudgy Pomeranians in front of the international judges and Jet Li captured their hearts because he has the closest characteristics in keeping with the global criterion.

    The criteria of choice are how closely the specimen comply with the breed standard, which is the breed type (breed bible), sound body and mind (how the dog moves and its temperament) and showmanship (yabang).

    The recognition is conferred to the sole dog which, at the end of the all-breed dog show, has successfully defeated the other dogs of all kinds of breeds. The Best of Breed contest evaluates dogs and *****es on how well they conform to their breed type in harmony with the APC standard.

    According to the 1997 APC benchmark, the “major faults” of Pomeranians are “round head, domed skull, under-shot and overshot mouth, lack of soundness in hind legs or stifles, and soft or flat coat.” Obviously, Canton Jet Li is nothing but these.

    Our very own Champion had experienced setbacks before the competition began. He had just arrived the night before the contest and had no American title to back him up. Before bagging the championship and eventually winning against the 200 Pomeranians, Jet Li had undergone the Open Dog Class competition (a contest for red, orange, sable, and cream Pomeranian breeds). After winning under this title, he had to vie against the Winners Dog before he can become eligible to fight for the ultimate Best of Breed competition. Eventually, he won.

    Prior to Jet Li’s winning, the last Pomeranian to win the Breed from the classes was an Open ***** Cenla Annie Laurie O’ Friday in 1991. At that time, competition was so much less in numbers. Accordingly, a win like this at the Nationals from the classes, only happening again after 22 years is indeed historical. It brings great pride to the Philippines since the winner was a Philippine dog.

    Special recognition also goes to the former old time Pomeranian breeder and international judge Jackie Stacy who had the courage to follow her convictions regardless of the psychological pressures to put up the more popular dogs. Indeed, a non-political win.

    This accomplishment serves as an inspiration to other Filipinos that we can! No matter what we do, whether it is big or small, the pursuit to excellence eventually has its own rewards and recognitions.

    Did You Know That...

    The most publicized and largest dog show competition is the Westminister New York followed by the Crufts in United Kingdom. However, for breed specialist the most prestigious is the US' Breed Nationals, which is equivalent of the Miss Universe contest.

    Pomeranians or Pom Poms are ****y extroverted small dogs that have heavy lion mane-like furs. The fur should be harsh and profuse as they get older. The highly commercialized attractive soft cotton candy may be attractive but discouraged as it is a major fault in dog competitions. Look for harsh textured coats instead because they will get better when Pom Poms grow.

    For future Pomeranian owners, stay away from cotton candy-like fur because it is prone to baldness. Look at the puppies' sire (male parents) to see if it still have its coat. Many breeders who use black-skinned dogs as studs will always find an excuse not to show the sire of their puppies.

    Pom Poms weigh four to seven pounds and have 12-15 years of life expectancy. They have fox-like expressions and are very competitive because of their natural showmanship. They also come in all colors, patterns, and variations although red and orange are the popular colors.

    I confess. I have a Pomeranian.
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  7. #907
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    ttt 4 2016!

    HBD Jet Li!

    Jet Li pays birthday visit to Mount Wutai
    ( chinadaily.com.cn )
    Updated: 2016-05-03

    Famous kung fu star, Jet Li, paid a visit to Mount Wutai in Shanxi province on the occasion of his 53th birthday, 13 years after his previous visit.

    Master Changshan, the director of the Buddhist Association of China and other eminent monks warmly greeted Li upon his visit to the mountain.

    During his stay, Li exchanged his ideas about Buddhism with the monks as well as sharing his birthday cake. In addition, he also lit candles to pray for his family and friends.

    The hero star was introduced to Master Changshan and expressed his understanding of the Buddhist doctrine and willingness to popularize Buddhism at home and abroad.

    Jet Li has had a lifelong attachment with Buddhism. In 1982, he rose to fame in his first kung fu movie "The Shaolin Temple". In 2003, Li visited Mount Wutai to study the Buddhism. He is also the founder of the One Foundation, China's first private charitable fundraising organization.


    Jet Li poses with a monk in front of the temple of Mount Wutai. [Photo/ weibo.com]


    Jet Li exchanges ideas on Buddhist doctrine with Master Changshan in the meeting room. [Photo/ weibo.com]


    Jet Li pays birthday visit to Mount Wutai
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    Jetli.com

    Still not sure what happened to Taijizen.com but if that dead horse don't trot, beat it some more.

    Chinese Kung Fu Actor Jet Li Launches Martial Arts Video Platform
    PAN YUE
    February 22, 2017 — 11:34 HKT



    Jet Li, a Chinese Kung Fu champion and film actor, has launched an online video platform, Jetli.com, to nurture and develop martial arts around the world and gain entry into the booming sports sector in China.

    Li announced the official launch of the video site yesterday via his Weibo account. Jetli.com, English-language website, aims to tell the story of Kung Fu and Kung Fu masters, as well as other martial arts, including extreme sports, boxing and Taekwondo.

    "Founding Jetli.com is a continuation of my dream, not something I did from an impulse," Li wrote in an earlier Weibo post. "Kung Fu is not just about the movements of arms and legs, it is also about pursuing your dream with persistence and patience."

    Chinese investors have poured billions into sports ventures, as people in China become more health-conscious. A total of 63 investments with an aggregate deal value of RMB11 billion were recorded in the sports sector during the first half of 2016, up nearly 300% in terms of deal value compared to the RMB3.6 billion registered for all of 2015, according to data from ChinaVenture.

    Sports video took the largest share in terms of total deal value, driven by a RMB8 billion series B round completed in April by LeSports, LeEco's sports unit. CMC Holdings, IDG Capital, Legend Capital and Everbright Sports Culture Fund are some of the most active investors in sports.

    Jetli.com, which translates into Jie Li (street power) in Chinese, will strive to discovery and help young people pursuing their dreams and share their spirit with others, Li wrote.

    Jet Li's video portal is operated by a commercial entity, Shanghai-based Zaomengzhe Development Company that was established last April with RMB2 million (US$280,000) in registered capital.

    The business is permitted to operate in multimedia design, website design and computer technology, according to the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
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  9. #909
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    More details

    I copied the post above from our Jet Li's TaijiZen International Cultural Development Company thread (I suppose I could've added Jet Li’s ONE Foundation too) but I'm going to continue with jetli.com posts here, assuming there are more to come.

    Jet Li Launches Kung Fu Video Site
    2:05 AM PST 2/23/2017 by Patrick Brzeski


    Courtesy of Getty Images
    Jet Li

    The actor and martial arts master said his goal is to share his "passion for bringing the philosophies and lifestyle of Kung Fu to people all over the world."

    Veteran Chinese actor and kung fu master Jet Li has launched a video website dedicated to martial arts.

    Li unveiled the official launch of the site, Jetli.com, on Chinese social media service Weibo on Tuesday, saying his purpose is to share his "passion for bringing the philosophies and lifestyle of kung fu to people all over the world."

    "Founding Jetli.com is a continuation of my dream, not something I did from an impulse," he wrote. "Kung fu is not just about the movements of arms and legs, it is also about pursuing your dream with persistence and patience."

    The English-language site is dedicated to sharing the stories and practices of kung fu masters, as well as other martial arts practitioners, including boxers, Taekwondo masters, healers and others. Segments on the site currently include pieces on the traditional martial arts weapons and their modern-day benefits, female masters of Wuxia cinema, the history of Karate, Star Wars and martial arts and even a story about the whitewashing issue in Hollywood.

    The video site is operated by Shanghai-based Zaomengzhe Development Company, which was established last April with $280,000 (2 million RMB).
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  10. #910
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    Jet returns to the UN with more Wushu



    Jet Li Gave Speech in United Nations and New York Times Square to Promote Wushu and Taiji
    By jetli.com 1 day ago in Jet Li


    Chinese Wushu Delegation participated in cultural exchange last week in the United States. This activity was organized by General Administration of Sport and International Wushu Federation (IWUF). This was the 2nd time that Chinese Wushu delegates performed in the United Nations since 2011. The theme of the event was “Harmonious, Healthy, and Sharing”.

    Jet Li Promoted Wushu and Taiji in United Nations



    Jet Li, as the ambassador of IWUF and China Wushu Association, gave a speech in both United Nations and in New York Times Square.



    Jet Li first visited the United States in 1974, when he was one of the members of the Chinese Wushu Delegation. He had the chance to perform wushu in front of President Nixon (Former US President) and Henry Kissinger (Former United States Secretary of State) at the White House.



    In 2011, China Wushu Association and Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations organized an event “Peace, Friendship, Healthy” at the United Nations Headquarters. That was the first time Chinese Wushu delegates performed in the United Nations. At that time, Jet Li once again expressed his thoughts about wushu philosophy and promoted Taiji to the world.



    Jet Li Promoted Wushu and Taiji in New York Times Square



    Jet Li believes Taiji is a representation of wushu. It is not only a healthy exercise, but also learning Yin Yang philosophy as well as heaven and earth, peace and balance. He strongly believes that practicing wushu can make a person happier and healthier.

    “Currently there are more than 100 million people practicing Taiji around the world. As an ambassador for IWUF and China Wushu Association, what I did in the past was not enough and I will continue to promote wushu to the world,” Jet said.




    Been looking for news on this but the only thing I've found was on Jet Li's own website. That's been much more active since TaijiZen went dark.
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  11. #911
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    Jet's not looking so good

    Sad to see. Hoping for the best.

    Jet Li’s Aged and Frail Appearance Sparks Concern Among Fans
    3:48 AM PDT 5/21/2018 by Karen Chu


    Frederic Nebinger/Getty Images
    Jet Li at the 2011 Venice Film Festival

    Li revealed in 2013 that he was suffering from hyperthyroidism as well as a heart condition, and a litany of on-set injuries also have affected his health.
    Jet Li’s appearance during a recent visit to Tibet has sparked concern for the martial arts legend's health. Pictures of an aged and frail Li shocked his fans online. Many people on social media in China and Hong Kong have been drawing unfavorable comparisons between the 55-year-old Expendables star and someone 20 or 30 years older, according to a report in Hong Kong’s Apple Daily.


    View image on Twitter

    simón
    @StxNaty
    So, apparently, Jet Li is suffering from "hyperthyroidism and spinal problems" and this is him now ❤️😓:=
    2:50 PM - May 19, 2018
    1,035
    2,037 people are talking about this
    Twitter Ads info and privacy
    Li revealed in 2013 that he was suffering from hyperthyroidism as well as a heart condition. Quoting his doctor, Li said at the time that he could “either continue making [action] films or spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.” Earlier serious injuries to his legs and spine sustained on film sets over the years had also limited his movements, and he admitted he can no longer stand for a long period of time without hunching.

    Reluctantly withdrawing from filmmaking, Li has in the last few years dedicated his time to his charity, The One Foundation, which mainly focuses on disaster relief and children’s welfare in China.

    A devout Buddhist, Li was spotted at a temple in Tibet in a recent photo and was allegedly addressed as “grandpa” by a group of school children due to his elderly appearance. He has credited his religious belief with helping him cope with his illness.

    Li has practiced wushu since the age of eight, winning numerous awards, and once went to the U.S. to perform as part of the China national wushu team for then U.S. president Richard Nixon. After retiring from wushu at the age of 19, he made his name in the movie business with his debut, Shaolin Temple (1982), which became a hit in Greater China, earning more than US$2 million in Hong Kong alone. Famed for his kung fu skills and boyish good looks, he attained Hollywood stardom in 1998 in Lethal Weapon 4 against Mel Gibson, and went on to star in Romeo Must Die (2000),The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) with Jackie Chan and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008).

    Li and his family were vacationing in the Maldives during Christmas 2004 when the Indian Ocean tsunami hit. Although the actor was unharmed, the experience prompted him to start his work in philanthropy, setting up The One Foundation in 2007.
    Gene Ching
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  12. #912
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    much ado about nothing

    Amazing how viral images can start rumors.

    'Jet is completely fine': Jet Li's manager denies 'Expendables' star is in poor health
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY Published 10:03 p.m. ET May 21, 2018 | Updated 10:46 a.m. ET May 22, 2018

    After a supposed picture of Jet Li hit Twitter, his fans were worried about his health. Keri Lumm shares the good news from his manager that his health is "completely fine". Buzz60


    (Photo: Courtesy of Steven Chasman)

    Action star Jet Li is "completely fine," despite viral Internet concerns about his health, according to his manager.

    Steven Chasman tells USA TODAY that Li, 55, is in good health, calling the online discussion "much ado about nothing."

    "We appreciate everyone’s concern. But Jet is completely fine," says Chasman. "There’s nothing wrong with him. There’s no life-threatening illness. He’s in great shape."

    The Expendables franchise and Lethal Weapon 4 star sparked health concerns after he was pictured in Tibet over the weekend, looking frail in a fan's photo. The outcry of concern on social media has spilled into the media.

    Hong Kong's South China Morning Post asked in a headline, "Is this the same Jet Li we all know? Martial arts legend battles illness and injuries as fans express shock."


    View image on Twitter

    simón
    @StxNaty
    So, apparently, Jet Li is suffering from "hyperthyroidism and spinal problems" and this is him now ❤️😓:

    2:50 PM - May 19, 2018
    234 234 Replies 2,827 2,827 Retweets 2,038 2,038 likes
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    Chasman sent USA TODAY a recent photo of Li, saying the picture in Tibet has been taken wildly out of context.

    "It’s one picture and people are making these interpretations from it," he says. "If you took a picture me at the wrong angle and wrong time of the day, I could look frail as well."


    Jet Li as "Yin Yang" in a scene from 2014's "The Expendables 3." (Photo: Phil Bray, Lionsgate)
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    ‘I’m feeling great’

    ‘I’m feeling great’: martial arts legend Jet Li breaks his silence after his shocking photos
    The 55-year-old action movie star publishes his first Facebook post since photos of him visiting a temple worried millions of fans and went viral around the world



    PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 23 May, 2018, 10:41pm
    UPDATED : Thursday, 24 May, 2018, 12:02am
    Unus Alladin
    Unus.alladin@scmp.com

    Martial arts superstar Jet Li Lianjie has taken to Facebook to allay fears of his fans that he was in ill health after shocking recent photos revealed the extent of his hyperthyroidism and spinal problems.

    The 55-year-old star of Lethal Weapon V and Kiss of the Dragon broke his silence days after photos revealed a frail-looking Li while he visited a temple in Chengdu recently, and not in Tibet as widely reported.

    Last week, Chinese netizens prayed for the action star’s health and news of his condition spread right across the English-speaking world, including the US, where he has millions of fans. Many expressed disbelief that they were seeing the same Beijing-born actor, who has appeared in dozens of action movies spanning four decades. Many hoped for Li to make a quick and complete recovery.

    Opinion: How actor Jet Li will overcome his devastating illness

    Li also took to the Chinese social media network Weibo to thank fans for their concern over a photo that made him look “80 years old”, adding that “someone” had offered him a magic potion to cure his ills and give him a long life.

    Li had remained silent on the matter until Wednesday evening (Hong Kong time) when he published his first Facebook posting in three months, saying that he was “doing great” and “feeling great”. He also posted three photos of himself, one with a monk.

    “I would like to thank all my fans who have expressed concern about my health. I’m doing great and feeling great!” Li said on his Facebook page.

    “I’m excited to share with you a few projects I am working on in the near future. For now, thank you all for your concern!”

    Within 30 minutes of posting his update, his fans responded with more than 10,000 likes. Many sent their best wishes and shared comments, and were happy that he appeared healthy – a far cry from his temple photos.

    “Thank you for sharing this Mr Lee, your movies were a big part of my childhood and my heart sank when I read the news yesterday, hope you and your family are well,” Facebook user Michael Thomas said.


    Jet Li visits a temple. Photo: Weibo

    Another Facebook user, Renne Thomas, said; “Jet, I’m so glad you are doing great my precious brother from another mother! I watched your movie Heaven’s Ocean! OMG so so so beautifully done and outstanding acting on everyone’s part! I cried but cried good tears! Be well my brother and you and the family are always in my prayers! All Praises to the Heavenly Father for your life and healing.”

    Jet Li fans share their personal battles with hyperthyroidism, as martial arts icon’s health problems continue to shock

    Another Jet Li fan, Tami Richardson, was delighted that he appeared healthy.

    “I am just glad to know that you are out there doing the world some favours. It really needed it. Thanks for being the one. ”
    The funny thing is that there were a ton of links that I removed from this article leading to other articles like: 1 Fans of Jet Li express concern as martial arts superstar battles illness 2 Jet Li fans share personal battles with illness that has stricken martial arts star 3 Martial arts superstar Jet Li has been plagued by injuries for many years
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    Jet & the Matrix



    TRENDING
    Jet Li says he rejected The Matrix because he didn’t want his kung fu moves digitally recorded
    Martial arts superstar explained the decision in a recent interview with Chinese media

    Remember Seraph from The Matrix? The kung fu fighting Guardian of the Oracle could have been played by Jet Li… until he realized the filmmakers might have wanted to digitally preserve all his martial arts moves.

    The role of Seraph went to Taiwan actor Collin Chou. No offense to Keanu Reeves, but Seraph’s moves are so much more fluid that those of Neo’s.

    In his latest interview with famed Chinese anchor Chen Luyu, Li revealed his reason for turning down the big role in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution.

    “It was a commercial struggle for me,” Li said, “I realized the Americans wanted me to film for three months but be with the crew for nine. And for six months, they wanted to record and copy all my moves into a digital library.”

    He added, “By the end of the recording, the right to these moves would go to them.”

    Li said back then, he was already worried that future technology would allow US filmmakers to digitally reproduce his moving body and superimpose the face of any actor onto it.

    “I was thinking: I’ve been training my entire life. And we martial artists could only grow older. Yet they could own [my moves] as an intellectual property forever. So I said I couldn’t do that,” Li said.

    This isn’t the first time that Li has talked about his decision to reject the role.

    In 2002, he told the BBC he thought the movie was going to be great with or without him. The next year, he told CNN that he wanted to use the time to film the martial arts epic Hero instead.

    Li’s recent appearance followed news of his declining health earlier this year.

    The 55 year-old Beijing-born actor has been suffering from hyperthyroidism and spinal problems. Pictures of Li’s almost unrecognizably frail appearance emerged on Weibo earlier this year, sending shockwaves across the web.

    Li’s manager later came out and said Li was “completely fine” despite his battle with hyperthyroidism.


    Jet Li before and now. (Picture: SCMP/Facebook)

    Li did appear to be in high spirits during his recent interview. That could bode well for the Hollywood icon who is slated to be part of Disney's upcoming live-action Mulan.
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    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
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  15. #915
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    An overview

    The untold truth of Jet LI, Chinese movie superstar
    By Lloyd M’bwana / Saturday, 05 Jan 2019 03:49PM


    Jet LI

    By Phil Archbold

    Whenever kung fu comes up in conversation, the movies of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan are inevitably discussed, but in his native China, Jet Li is held in equally high regard.

    Born Li Lian Jie on April 26, 1963, the Beijing-native began training aged 8 after his gym teacher put him in touch with legendary Wushu master Wu Bin. He wasn’t a “prodigy” student, however; in fact, becoming such an accomplished fighter was a real struggle.

    “It was my coach Wu Bin who helped me steer clear of all obstacles and encouraged me never to give up,” Li said (via Kung Fu Magazine).

    “His admonitions and his patience in guiding me along will always remain in my heart of hearts.” Li lost his dad when he was a toddler, and Wu Bin is said to have become a father figure over the years, guiding him to greatness along the way. He made the national Wushu team and

    won several championships, but Li decided to retire at 17 to concentrate on a career in the movies.

    He kicked some serious ass in his 1982 debut feature Shaolin Temple, and went on to make a name for himself overseas (The Guardian called him “the Fred Astaire of kung fu”), but today Li is more of a lover than a fighter.

    His passion is now in philanthropy, though he’s been in need of some help himself over the years. From near-death experiences to sham marriages, this is the untold truth of Jet Li.

    He was a pre-teen street performer

    In 1973, the legendary Bruce Lee passed away under mysterious circumstances , leaving China, America, and the rest of the movie-loving world in shock. The following year, Li (just 11 years old at the time) was doing a kung fu demonstration in Hong Kong when he was approached by a movie producer and asked how he felt about becoming the next Bruce Lee. Speaking to TalkAsia (via CNN ) in 2003, Li (whose English wasn’t quite as accomplished back then) recalled the encounter.

    “When movie studio producer talk to me, ‘Hi, little kid, when you grow up, you want to become action star?'” Li said. “I say, ‘Okay, why not!’ So since then, every year the producer came to me to look at me. Says, ‘Okay, you are still a little boy, can’t make movie. I want to wait [for] you.'”

    He greatly admired Lee, but as a young boy he couldn’t imagine that his name would ever be mentioned in the same breath.

    “I remember I found him very talented, a very talented actor and martial artist,” Li added. “But I don’t know how to make movie, I don’t know how to become this, I didn’t think of it that deep. I was just 11.”

    Li had turned 17 by the time the producer decided he was ready to make his debut feature film. He was cast in Shaolin Temple, the first in a series of movies that established him as a star in China.

    President Nixon asked him to be his bodyguard

    1974 turned out to be quite the eventful year for Li. Not only did the 11-year-old find himself on the watchlist of Chinese movie studios, he also got to perform in front of the U.S. president. Li and the Chinese national Wushu team were invited to the White House, where they put on a show for Richard Nixon, whose time in the Oval Office would soon come to an end because of his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Nixon wasn’t very popular at the time, and after he saw what Li could do, he apparently offered him the job of protecting him.

    According to We Are The Mighty , the president jokingly (we assume, at least) asked if Li would consider becoming his personal muscle once he was old enough to work. “Young man, your kung fu is very impressive,” Nixon reportedly said. “How about being my bodyguard when you grow up?” Li’s extremely loyal reply reportedly left those in attendance stunned. “No, I don’t want to protect any individual,” he said. “When I grow up, I want to defend my one billion Chinese countrymen!”

    The silence that fell over the room was broken by then-Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. “Heavens, such a young boy and he already speaks like a diplomat,” Kissinger quipped. A generation of hostility between China and the U.S. seemed to be coming to an end, but some foul play is said to have taken place on the Chinese Wushu team’s tour of America.

    He thinks the U.S. government bugged his hotel room

    During his candid 2003 interview with

    TalkAsia (via CNN), Li was asked if there was any truth to the rumors that his hotel room had been bugged during his first visit to the United States, and his answer was shocking. The Nixon administration were found to have spied on their political rivals using hidden mics, and the Chinese government were apparently very wary about sending the Wushu team on a tour of America, knowing that they could potentially be targeted for information. They were so wary, in fact, that they warned the traveling team members to be careful about what they said at all times, including while they were in the privacy of their hotel rooms.

    “It’s true,” Li confirmed when asked about the bugging. “At that time, China and America just started [a] relationship between the two countries. It is so funny! When I went there I wanted to try [to see if] they have a bug or not. So in New York, a big hotel, I talked to the mirrors.” Li claims that he said out loud that he would really like some chocolate and ice cream. To his surprise (and amusement), the sweet treats he wished for in his private quarters miraculously materialized.

    “So, next day, I opened the door,” he continued. “Chocolates, ice cream, bananas — everything is on my table!” Li also discussed the incident when he returned to the States to promote his

    disappointing English language sci-fi actioner The One in 2001.

    He married his first wife out of duty, not love

    Li has four daughters — two with his ex-wife, Huang Qiuyan , and two with his current wife, Nina Li Chi. The action star and Chi (a former Miss Asia) will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary in 2019, and they appear to be as happy as ever. Li has managed to remain good friends with his first wife, despite the fact that he openly admitted he only married her out of a sense of duty.

    Li and Qiuyan (a teammate from the Chinese national Wushu side who also became a martial arts actor) had known each other from childhood. Their long friendship took an unexpected turn when they were filming a movie called Martial Arts of Shaolin together. Li broke his leg on set, and he was blown away by the level of support his co-star gave him. She remained by his side as he returned to full health, at which point Li felt it was only right to propose. Plus, she was loaded.

    “My family was poor, her family was well-off,” Li explained (via ContactMusic ). “She often took care of me. That’s how it happened. I didn’t know what love was. In terms of how much emotion each person devoted, she maybe gave 90 percent or 80 percent. At most I gave… I still haven’t figured out. When we parted, we were really like friends.” According to

    QQ (via Jayne Stars), Li gave Qiuyan $50,000 as a gift when she remarried in 2005.
    continued next post
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

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