Kung Fu Emperor Jet Li: A Pictorial Biography

Author: Li Xiaorun / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
8. Refusing to Be a Presidential Bodyguard for a While
After spending time together, the agents and delegation members developed a deep bond, especially with the young team members like Jet Li. They escorted the delegation all the way to Hong Kong, where they could finally hand over security duties to the Hong Kong Police and sit back as spectators to enjoy the delegation's performance. After the performance, everyone said goodbye with tears in their eyes. One agent stood up and delivered a heartfelt speech in Chinese that Jet Li still remembered years later: "For the entire month, we've been busy protecting your safety and never had a chance to watch your performance or understand your skills. We've always pretended not to know you, not to speak your language, and been told not to get too close to you. Perhaps speaking to you like this now is risking my career, but who cares? I want to be your friend!"
Jet Li was also impressed by this agent and his speech for another reason. Years later, they met again, and this time, Jet Li caused trouble once more! It was during the welcome banquet for President Ford's visit to China, where the Chinese side hosted the American guests at the Great Hall of the People with hundreds of tables. Jet Li was also invited. He was still a child, eating his meal while looking around, suddenly spotting a familiar face in the crowd—the agent who had spoken tearfully in Hong Kong. Startled and delighted, he stood up, waved, and shouted, "Hey!" This outburst didn't go unnoticed. The agent and the other agents seated around him recognized Jet Li and stood up to greet him without hesitation. Their sudden rise caused even more commotion. The other security personnel from both sides, thinking something was wrong, pulled out their chairs and prepared for action, with some instinctively moving to guard the leaders of both nations. Jet Li was mortified. The agents who had stood up first awkwardly explained to their colleagues, assuring them it was just a false alarm.
Although Jet Li occasionally caused minor trouble for the country, he had also brought honor to it with his extraordinary skills. Though his innocent words often led to mishaps, he had also charmed both the American government and public with his sharp wit, including the famously eloquent Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. This incident occurred during the last stop of his visit to the U.S. in Washington D.C. After Jet Li and a select group of performers demonstrated their martial arts skills on the White House lawn, they were formally introduced to the U.S. government officials and took a group photo. Jet Li stood between Kissinger and then-U.S. President Richard Nixon. At this moment, Nixon turned to him and said, "Kid, you're really good at kung fu! When you grow up, would you like to be my bodyguard?"
"No," Jet Li firmly refused. "I don't want to protect just one person. When I grow up, I want to protect the hundreds of millions of people of China!" A hush fell over the crowd—no one had expected Jet Li to answer like that. Finally, Kissinger stepped in to smooth things over: "My goodness, at such a young age, you already have the demeanor of a diplomat!"
The story caused a sensation in the U.S. The New York Times featured a front-page, illustrated report on the entire incident, marveling at the achievements of patriotic education in red China. Jet Li made amends for his earlier trouble and was highly praised by the Chinese authorities upon his return. P18-20