Sharon Stone, the actress and model, has apologised to the people of China after suggesting the country deserved to be struck by a catastrophic earthquake this month as a karmic reward for Beijing’s treatment of Tibet.

A grovelling apology was issued by Christian Dior, Stone’s employer in China, who have encountered a bitter reaction to their adverts featuring the Hollywood star since her remarks earlier in the week.

The Basic Instinct actress said: "Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people.

"I am willing to take part in the relief work of China's earthquake, and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people."

The statement of contrition was released by the Shanghai office of the Christian Dior fashion house, who have dropped all their adverts that include images of the 50-year-old actress.

As many as 80,000 people died in the May 12 earthquake in southwest China, which devastated a mountainous corner of Sichuan province. More than 20,000 are still missing as the nation attempts to come to terms with its worst natural disaster in a generation.

While rescue efforts continued in China, Stone was in the south of France attending the Cannes Film Festival last week.

In a red carpet interview she called the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, a “good friend” and criticised Beijing for the unrest in Tibet earlier in the year.

“And then all this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and I thought, is that karma - when you’re not nice that the bad things happen to you?” she said.

Chinese bloggers, who were particularly active in criticising the West over its attitude towards Tibet, have exploded in anger over Stone’s comments.

“Don’t give any attention to this old lady - don’t watch her movies, don’t buy the products she represents,” read a typical response.

The official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary today that she was the "public enemy of all mankind" and several Chinese cinemas have already pledged not to screen her films.

Today Dior has admitted that it fears any association with Stone will affect their sales.

“Due to some customer reaction we have decided to pull her image from all of the department stores and from all of China,” Christian Dior China said in a statement.

“We just want our customers and fans to realise that her personal comments are not related to the company and of course we don’t support any type of commentary that will hurt the feelings of our customers.”

Stone has a modelling contract with the cosmetics arm of the luxury retailer for which newly-rich China is a fast-growing market.

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