Jackie Chan’s fury over looted YSL bronzes

Jackie Chan, the Hollywood movie star and martial arts wizard famous for doing all his own stunts, has declared war on France. His casus belli? The sale this week at Christie's in Paris of two bronzes looted from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860.

As reported here, these were among the artifacts owned by the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Chinese lawyers acting on behalf of the government had attempted to have them removed from the auction - which made a staggering €373.5m - but failed, with the disputed sculptures selling for €14m each to anonymous bidders on Wednesday.

Chan said France had behaved disgracefully in allowing the sale. "They remain looted items, no matter whom they were sold to. Whoever took it out [of China] is himself a thief," he said. "It was looting yesterday. It is still looting today." He went on to demand the return of the two bronzes, though such a plea is likely to come to nothing now they are sold.

The sale of the sculptures have become something of a hot potato. Saint Laurent's partner, Pierre Berge, who was the sole benefactor of the French designer's collection, although he is donating all the proceeds to charity, had said that the bronzes should be returned only "when China establishes human rights".

And China, mindful of President Sarkozy's support of Tibet and the Dalai Lama at the Beijing Olympics, has been eager to highlight the issue. The bronzes were among 12 animal head sculptures that formed a zodiac-themed water clock in the palace of Emperor Qianlong. China has bought back five of the 12 but said yesterday that it did not plan to buy any more. "That would give the stolen goods a coat of legitimacy," the Old Summer Palace museum said.

Meanwhile, 54-year-old Chan said that he was planning to highlight the matter by making a movie about the return of some of China's stolen national treasures, with filming scheduled to start next year. ·