New | The curse of Jackie Chan? Chinese tycoon defends film star against claims he is bad luck as brand ambassador

A Chinese tycoon has defended action film star Jackie Chan against claims he is a “curse” as a mainland brand ambassador after many firms he has promoted in the past have found themselves mired in problems and controversy.

Dong Mingzhu, billionaire chairwoman of leading Chinese home appliance maker Gree Electric – speaking on the sidelines of the annual National People’s Congress meeting in Beijing – said the actor’s work representing her company had not hurt the business.

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“He represented Gree for two years and Gree didn’t die,” Dong Mingzhu was quoted as saying in a report on Tuesday by news website Huanqiu.com, which is affiliated with Global Times.

“Some [media reports] claimed Chan was to blame – saying his work as a representative had killed these companies,” Dong said.

“[But I think that] it is the power of the company, instead of Chan’s representation that decides the life and death of a business.”

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Dong’s comments came after Chinese media suggested Chan had proved to be a curse for mainland manufacturers’ brands because a number of companies had struggled after he represented them.