Chinese Reactions To Jet Li Becoming Singaporean

The Xinhua News Agency has a headline news story about reports that Kongfu star Jet Li has obtained Singaporean citizenship, and already purchased a mansion in his adopted home. Whether or not China-born Jet Li is now a Singapore citizen, Chinese netizens are having their say about his rumoured switch, and many think it is his personal right to do so. A poll by a Chinese website found that half of respondents think so, said Sina.com. Its own website carried comments from netizens, with one saying: “It's their right to live where they want to. If I could, I will follow suit. Their passport is better.”

The reaction appeared more muted compared to the flaming actress Gong Li got when she became a Singapore citizen last year.

A blogger on Sina supported Li's move, saying: “If Gong Li chose to follow her (Singaporean) husband, then Li can opt to switch for his daughter's education, a better living environment and easier immigration. Common folks can have worldly needs, and so do public figures.... Let Li have his freedom... he never said he wanted to be a saint.”

A commentary on Sina.com slammed netizens for being suspicious about the actor's purchase of a SG$19.8 million (RM49 million) bungalow in Bukit Timah and linking it to his One Foundation charity fund.

“This is a question of his personal consumption... He wants a foreign passport, so this is not a simple question of patriotism,” it said.

But detractors compared Li to actor Jackie Chan, who let his son return his US passport, with one on Sina.com calling Chan's act a patriotic one which made the Chinese proud.

A netizen said: “Singapore is a ‘foreign’ country (when compared to Hong Kong), and this will affect his One Foundation.”

Another said: “Look at Gong Li, who seems to have ‘disappeared’ from the mainland since becoming a Singaporean and giving up the money she could earn. This is a personal decision.”

According to the news story, the Agence France Press reports that “Hollywood Chinese kungfu star Jet Li has already obtained Singaporean citizenship, as well as purchased a home worth more than 14 million USD in Singapore”, and that contacts within Singapore’s immigration department have confirmed such reports.

Source: Asiaone , Chinanewswrap , Themalaysianinsider