Stone films banned after "karma" remark

China's largest cinema chain has banned films starring Sharon Stone following her remarks about the country's recent earthquake.

The actress sparked criticism after suggesting that the disaster, which has left more than 68,000 people dead, was a result of "karma" for China's policy in Tibet.

Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, she said: "All these earthquakes and stuff happened and I thought, 'Is that karma?' When you are not nice, bad things happen to you.

"I'm not happy about how the Chinese are treating the Tibetans, I don't think anyone should be unkind to anyone else.

"They're not being very nice to the Dali Lama, who's a good friend of mine."

UME Cineplex instigated a ban on her films in the wake of the comments, while outraged citizens have posted messages online demanding an apology.

The Associated Press quotes a Chinese actor as saying: "The earthquake is not only China's disaster, but a disaster for all of mankind. Sharon Stone's performance shows that not only does she lack love, but she lacks humanity. How could she say such things?"