There are quite a number of high ranking Chinese officials and their families who have US green cards and/or citizenship in the United States and other western countries. I guess the leadership is populated with traitors.

john mogan, shanghai,

She can come live with me. Anytime.

Milton, SC, USA

The ignorance that exists within these comments astounds me. First, the Chinese Government is 100% socialistic totalitarian however, their economy is based on a hybrid form of capitalism. Secondly, foreigners of any race or origin are NOT allowed to become Chinese citizens in any shape or form.

Ray, Hong Kong ,

Gong Li is a GODDESS! I applaud her decision to renounce her Chinese citizenship and become a citizen of Singapore.

Hephaestus, Beijing, China

Whats so wrong with people wanting to change their citizenship? Is it not already a trend that is happening? Why make a big fuss out of it? So what if it is Gong Li, a film star, who changed her citizenship? It is her right anyway.

Michelle, Singapore, Singapore

International standard of human rights? like killing Iraqi and afghanistan civilans, or torturing captives without trials in Gitmo??? Typical white supremism.

Timesonline, stop censoring my comments, although I this is the true nature of the Western media

Alan U, New York City,

The most ridiculous thing I see read here is those stupid Americans are being brainwashed to think the Chinese are brainwashed. They don't know China is more capitalist than US. If you want to know about China, go there yourself, and stop hiding in your house and reading censored news

Alan U, New York, USA

I have been a fan of Ms. Gong for many years. Look at her early work in Raise the Red Lantern. Interestingly on Chinese film fan websites she is generally derided as not being that beautiful or talented compared with, say, Maggie Cheung. They are somewhat bemused by her success in the West.

bob song, Ninterverse City,

Is China oppressive to the ordinary citizen? Most people's view are skewed from reading the news on China. But for someone who has lived there, it may not be as "free" as the US or UK, but it certainly isn't draconian. People want to leave China to see a different perspective and lead a better life.

Kam Wing Pang, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong

What has China done to retain it's "outwardly mobile" people? It's axiomatic that the chinese will leave as soon as they get the opportunity. How many famous actors/actresses are pounding on the gates of Beijing, trying to get in?

Dan'l, Portland, US/Maine

To those who are trying to find moral relative to the UK and US (particularly the guy who mentiones LH), seriously you have no idea what you are talking about and are ignoring obvious facts to bend reality to your wishes.

DW, Beijing, China(UK national)

What about the tens of thousands of Chinese who leave (or try to leave) China every year and take foreign citizenship? Are they all traitors? If so, why is treason so prevalent in China? 90%+ of Gong Li's critics would jump at the chance of a US/EU passport! Pathetic idiots!

MarkChina, Beijing,

Actually in China nobody cares about this. Who made this news??!! Gong Li is too old. She is out for many years, indeed. You may ask your Chinese friend.

Kevin, Leeds,

Well Madonna chooses to live in the UK and we Americans are REALLY freaking broken-hearted about that. NOT. (er, sorry for that Brits...we'll make it up somehow).

Kevin, Austin, USA

I can't blame the Chinese, as a very nationalistic person myself I can see why that would make them mad. I think she has the right to do it, and there are plenty of Americans who I wish would follow through on their threats to leave for Europe, but I would be mad if an American icon did the same.

J.T. Kovach, Dallas, TX, USA

why western media always lie,they make out false stories about CHINA

milkle, cardiff, uk

Breathes there the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
"This is my own, my native land!"

Gong Li will regret her action one day.
(I'm an overseas-born Chinese who never liked the idea of even visiting America, loathe living in UK & Australia; would prize a Chinese citizenship).

S K LIn, Georgetown, Malaysia

Gong Li is widely regarded as the most gorgeous creature on the planet and its hard to disagree. I suspect that she also wants to live as a citizen of the world, good on her.

Tony, Kangaroo Island, Australia

If you had been brainwashed by the State all your life, of course you would call her a traitor. But more & more Chinese are begining to see how badly their government has been treating them all these years. I doubt the jingoistic attitudes encouraged by the State will survive the internet revolution

Chris R, San Diego, California, USA

Imagine how Americans would feel if Michael Phelps were to can understand how they feel First Michael wouldn't switch. 2nd there are reasons why people leave an oppressive society. If our people continue to allow our government to tell us how to live we may someday follow suit.

Mark F Lamb, Toledo, OH

All badly brainwashed Chinese should learn international standard of human rights. I hope more brave people like her do the same until they recognize its nceccecity to change their culture and rules to support basic human rights and freedom.
God bless them!

Freeman, Sydney, Australia

Imagine how Americans would feel if Michael Phelps were to switch citizenship, I can understand how they feel.

Jon, Seattle, US

Gong Li is EXTREMELY pretty... and if you saw her in person you would think even prettier. She does look great for a woman in her 40's; she looks better than 99.9% of women in their 20's!!

tony, birmingham,

This young woman thinks for herself, is independent and is responsible for her own life and the decisions she makes. Bravo! I applaude her!

A nation does not own its citizens. And if a person wants to leave and join another, so be it.

Phooey to the Chinese! Their country is a mess!

Alex, Los Angeles, USA

Everyones yearns for freedom. It's a part of our human spirit. If she has found true freedom and is at peace, I doubt she cares what the nationalists in China think or say about her. Millions risk their lives around the world, every day, seeking freedom. And in America, we want, "Change".

Stephen G. B. Henry, Lonoke, Arkansas, USA

As an American atheist, I have to say that Sol in Norwich has no concept of what the US really is. I am treated the same as anyone else.

Dan, Los Angeles, USA

I wish that some American movie stars would give up their citizenship and move to China!

John Shay, Carmel, IN, USA

Bulwer,

Yup she sure is! S-M-O-K-I-N-G!!!!

Who cares if she leaves China. Should this not be a reflction of China and not her? I mean, Communist China isn't a friend.

Sean, san diego, USA

I agree WOW, she is 43, damn she looks incredible for her age. NATION States are a new, few hundred years old, concept and it will not last forever. Either there will be a global federation or very small city or regional states in the future. Be a global citizen & fighting for self determination.

Naleen Lal, Northern California,

For those of you who oohs and aahs about how young she looks, would you like to see my picture when I was 5 years old? You are gasping over a picture of her in her 20s - of course she didn't look 43. Get real people. Gong li is known for many things, but looking younger is not one of them.

Jake, San Jose, USA

To Sol in UK, Are you seriously comparing China's lack of basic human rights to some "stories" you read about in U.S.? Athiests are often confrontational about they're RELIGIOUS BELIEFS which may be the cause of a threat or ostracism. Your perfectly free to not believe here.

Gene, Barrington, USA

The force of masses should give the famous star such as GongLi a peace of  herself and freedom.So that proved that in communist China,in fact,the individual human rights made great progress.

Andy, Lagos, Negeria

Sol, that's poppycock. Our nation, like yours, is becoming one that worships multiculturalism, not God. Through history the US has been tolerant of other views. Now Christians are those ostrasized. Watch as Obama and the Dems appoint judges that will take God from our national motto and pledge.

Jim, Los Altos, USA

To Sol of Norwich, UK - you read too much lefty press about the US. You can be a left-handed, pagan, lesbian, tree worshipper and they'll declare a US holiday in your name. The only people here routinely discriminated against and ridiculed in the press and in public are Christians. Good for Gong Li

Mark, Cameron,

Dr. Parise, if you had ever been to China, you would know the government is now Communist in name only. China has become a hotbed of capitalism and free enterprise. Some political/religious repression remains, but freedom has grown amazingly in the past 30 years and continues to do so every day.

Mike, Half Moon Bay, CA, USA

Many Chinese celebrities choose to become Hong Kong citizen. It allows them to travel easily but still stay close to their Chinese roots. The hot-blooded Chinese netizens will get over the rage soon. However, it is Gong Li that will one day regret her own decision!
- A China-born European citizen

XG, Morristown, USA

43!!!! Good Gawd is she hot!! I saw her in Hannibal Rising and thought she was in her late 20's! Yea, Asian women look young but she is very young looking.

Bulwer, Wash. DC,

Gong Li is great. One of my favorite movies is Shanghai Triad. It is appropriate for her to take the nationality of her husband and certainly this does not make her a traitor. It is disingenous to call her a traitor since the Father of Modern China, Sun Yat Sen held American nationality.

Kevin Carroll, Anchorage, USA

Thank God. I believe the Communist Chinese Government should be shamed for the repression of their people. I hope this shows how evil the government is. The people that have the means flee for the exits. May all in their government have a great time in the fires of hell.

Dr. Donald C. Parise, Toms River, NJ, U.S.A.

I would have to disagree, David, Silver Spring, USA.
I have read several (recent) accounts of American atheists in thier own country being treat as second - class citizens, threatened with physical violence and ostracised ,both by the masses and by those in positions of power.

Sol, Norwich, UK

She's 43 and she looks that good? This is indeed a significant loss for China. In a democracy, the legislature could craft a law easily enough to allow dual citizenship, and it would be unlikely to meet with opposition by the executive or judicial branches.
The will of the people, why not?

Mark Sethre, San Jose, USA

Democrats in the USA are very lucky that we don't have those standards here in America. See, here in the US we actually have people undermining the government during a time of war, classic treason, yet it is tolerated. Let's see how Obammie and his buddies like it when they hold sway...

Billy G, Pasadena,CA, USA

Dave in Houston - fully agree with you.

Why do some people get so upset by this kind of thing? So what if Gong Li took Singaporean citizenship. Who cares? Really, who cares.

This is not a matter of national security. As Dave implies, she's just an actress. No one should care about this.

Jay, Hong Kong, China

That was my same reaction to her age christine....Asians age beautifully....

Jasmin Noir, London,

it doesn't normally make practical sense for a couple to have passports issued by different countries.

but administrative convenience hardly indicates a lack of pride in one's country or a change of nationality.

"nationalism", however, is generally a horrible thing.

jem, london, uk

Funny, here in the US we wish more of our celebrities would leave the country and that fewer were available to advise the government.

Dave, Houston, USA

It is true that many people have imigrated to other countries,however,more chinese people are eager to return to china and improve their country. If you know the history and culture of china.

wang dongyang , st andrews,

Gong Li is one of my favourite actresses, I thought she was magnificent in 'Memoirs' and totally stole the show from the other actors.

Although I can understand the uproar in China (see Lewis Hamilton saga for our own version of this), I hope they take into account that she is joining her husband

Ryan G, London,

It's only a change of PASSPORT nationality.
I'm sure Gong Li will never forget her roots.
Though, I understand why some feel dissapointed.
Gong Li is an important figure in China in many ways. Therefore, it's like losing a national treasure to them.

Yup, hard to belive but she really is 43.

Elle, Sydney, Australia

The United States is a place where you can be proud of your Chinese (or Jewish, or Irish, or Italian, etc.) culture, and free to celebrate it in any way you see fit-- artistically, religiously, traditionally, or academically. When China can claim that, it will have fewer people who wish to emigrate

David, Silver Spring, USA

Gong Li,

May you have a blessed life outside of the walls of the supressive China. I look forward to hearing of your success and future movies. Signed a BIg American Fan.

brian, Fredericksburg , USA

43 - are you serious?!!!

Christine, London, United Kingdom

DO YOUR RESEARCH. She MAINLY lives in Beijing, China!!!
Not the states our anywhere else.

Duh!, Ventura,