Chow Yun-Fat says he can't stand the American way of life and has no plans to pursue US permanent resident status.

"I can't stand talking English every day or the lifestyle there ... not to mention the food," the Hong Kong-born film star was quoted as saying in Friday's editions of Chinese-language newspaper The Sun.

"I only go to America for work. When I finish work, I leave immediately. I won't stay one day longer."

Chow rose to fame in Hong Kong with gangster movies including "A Better Tomorrow" before moving to Hollywood, where he has starred in films such as "The Replacement Killers" and "Anna and the King."

He couldn't be contacted for comment Friday, a National Day holiday in Hong Kong.

(China Daily October 9, 2004)