Sharon Stone has issued an apology after being criticised for suggesting that the recent earthquake in China may have been caused by bad "karma".
The Basic Instinct actress told reporters at the Cannes film festival that the disaster, which has claimed more than 67,000 lives, could have been a recrimination for China's human rights records in Tibet.
But after a leading cinema chain vowed to no longer screen her films and cosmetics giant Christian Dior removed her image from its Chinese advertising campaign, the 50-year-old has admitted her deep sadness at having offended China.
"Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people," she said in a statement issued by Dior.
"I am willing to take part in the relief work of China's earthquake, and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people."
She had told a Hong Kong film crew in an interview last week that she was unhappy about "the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans".
"And then all this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and I thought, is that karma?" she added.
"When you're not nice that the bad things happen to you?"
The Chinese branch of Dior also moved to clarify its stance on her remarks.
"We don't agree with her hasty, unreflecting remarks and we deeply regret them," a Chinese-language statement read.
"We absolutely do not support any remark that hurts the Chinese people's feelings.
"We express our sorrow over the compatriots who lost their lives in the earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan, and we extend our sympathy and condolences to the people in the disaster area," it added.
29/05/2008 13:49:55
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