Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan took a break from producing movies and dropped into Manila to announce his plans to open a coffee franchise last Friday.

 

 　

Popular Kung Fu action star Jackie Chan, left, displays the symbolic key to the City of Makati which was presented to him by Mayor Jejomar Binay, unseen, at the launching of the local franchise of his coffee shop business, the 'Jackie Chan's Java Coffee' at a posh hotel at the financial district of Makati city, east of Manila, August 4, 2006.

 

Chan has signed a deal with Filipino investors to open a coffee shop selling "Jackie Chan's Java Coffee" in Manila within three months. The store will be the first in a chain that will spread across Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. 　

 

The martial arts star said a portion of the profits would go to charities to help buy books and build schools across Asia. 　　

 

He said coffee, like music and movies, knows no barriers. 　　

 

"Coffee is also a language in itself. When you watch my movies, you think of Jackie Chan. When you drink coffee, I hope you will also think of Jackie Chan," Chan said. 　　

 

He returned to Hong Kong last Friday night to catch a flight to Paris, where he will film the third part of the Rush Hour series.

 

(CRI August 7, 2006)