Gong Li is far from the first star to give up Chinese nationality, reports The Times. Hong Kong-based action superstar Jet Li now holds US citizenship as do director Chen Kaige and his film star wife, Chen Hong. Many more, such as Zhang Ziyi – Gong Li's co-star in Memoirs of a Geisha – hold Hong Kong citizenship, which enables them to travel easily while remaining Chinese nationals. Gong Li married Singapore businessman Ooi Hoe Seong in 1996 and became a Singapore citizen last week. She has long lived mostly outside China, working more recently in Hollywood, says The Times.

Posted by: Teddy | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 12:44 AM