Gong Li joins fellow celebrities in taking foreign citizenship

Updated November 25, 2008 15:11:52

One of China's best known international movie-stars, Gong Li, has joined a string of Chinese celebrities in taking up foreign citizenship. Gong Li's decision to become a Singaporean citizen has sparked fierce debate in China.

Presenter: Lily Yan
Speaker: Tony Dyson, director of Australian immigration agency, Dyson & Associates

LILY YAN, REPORTER: Chinese actress Gong Li was one of China's greatest exports, famous for her roles in movies like Raise the Red Lantern and Farewell My Concubine, but last week the superstar swapped her Chinese citizenship for that of Singapore. The news immediately stirred up a storm of discussion and criticism in China with one online survey showing two thirds of the public saw her decision as being unpatriotic. In fan and news blogs, some contributors say they're shocked at what they called a betrayal of the country and the fans that made Gong Li rich and famous in the first place. Others expressed jealousy that celebrities can change their citizenship at the snap of a finger while commoners in China have to fight for small things such as the right to live in another city. But supporters of the star have been fighting back. One blogger ridiculed people who called the popular actress a traitor.

BLOGGER: China is a big country and a great one, but those people didn't show the manners of great citizens. It's lucky Gong Li only became a Singaporean. If she became a Japanese citizen I bet she'd need a life jacket when she comes back to China otherwise she'd be drowned by people's spit.

LILY YAN: Another commentator called for more maturity towards the actress and her decision.

COMMENTATOR: People should all grow up. It's a person's right to apply and change their citizenship as they wish. Celebrities are just the same. We always say we respect other people's rights but then attack them when they use them. It's only because of jealousy.

LILY YAN: But a debate goes deeper than that. Gong Li's decision to become a Singaporean has raised the question of why wealthy Chinese will wish to change their passport when they can enjoy a prosperous life in China. Tony Dyson is an immigration agent who's assisted several Chinese celebrities in immigrating to Australia. He says most of his clients still lack confidence in China in long term.

TONY DYSON, IMMIGRATION AGENT: I think there's always a little bit of background fear that who knows what the future is and maybe it's not so much a lack of confidence in what's happening today, but who knows. History has penchant to repeat itself and you might be OK today, but in 10 years time there may be a change of regime or things may get difficult and they want to be in a position where they can quickly move.

LILY YAN: But Mr Dyson says most of the celebrities he assisted will continue to work and live in China and that they will always think highly of their home country.

TONY DYSON: They're no different from anybody else that says, "Well, look I've got to this stage in life, I'll secure my future, I'll get another passport but then I'll remain in China or continue to come backwards and forwards to China as if I was still a Chinese." I don't think they forget their home country but they think it's not they necessarily want to move out but they just use it as security.