Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith in "The Karate Kid" [Photo: Columbia Pictures/ent.sina.com.cn]

Chinese superstar Jackie Chan has admitted he used to be a bully in school, and he only quit tormenting other kids after learning martial arts.

While promoting his new movie "The Karate Kid", Chan tells reporters that he picked on his classmates until his dad found out about his bad behavior and enrolled him in kung fu classes.

Chan says martial arts taught him to help and respect others, and he wants the message to come across in "The Karate Kid".

Judging by what his co-star Jaden Smith has to say, Chan has certainly succeeded.

"I think that he is a good mentor for me. He and my dad have a lot of great qualities you know. They are nice, they treat people well. They make great movies. There are things that you need."

"The Karate Kid" will be available in Chinese theaters on June 22.