Following rumours circulating in the past few days regarding China’s move to blacklist artistes with dual citizenship, affected stars are contemplating on giving up theirs. Hong Kong celebrity Maria Cordero is the latest to say she is considering renouncing her Portuguese citizenship.
Nicholas Tse, who was born in Hong Kong, has applied to renounce his Canadian citizenship, the actor revealed in an interview with Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television on Sept 5.
Cordero pointed out that artistes who get regular gigs in China should cancel their foreign citizenship.
"If you really want to get work in mainland China, then it's the right thing to do. If you work there, you should take Chinese citizenship. I have no problem with that," Cordero told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
In a separate interview with the hk01 portal, the actress added: “Chinese citizenship has security, insurance, labour insurance and welfare."
She also said that she was aware of reports that Tse is renouncing his Canadian citizenship.
"I think they are all going to be doing this, one after another. Unless they decide that they don't want to make that kind of money any more," Cordero said to RFA.
Stars rumoured to be on China's "watch list" include martial art star Jet Li, singer Wang Leehom, Mulan actress Crystal Liu Yifei, actor-director Zhang Tielin, actor Mark Chao and singer Will Pan.
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