BEIJING - Lian He Zao Bao (Singapore Press Holdings) is reporting that Chinese international movie star Gong Li has become a citizen of Singapore.

This news has drawn lots of attention among Chinese media and netizens. Some media, including Sina.com, have reported that Gong Li did this to save her marriage (her husband is from Singapore). Since they were wed in 1996, he has continually supported Gong Li's career despite rumors that she may not have always been loyal. 

Gong Li was a member of the National Committee of CPPCC. Many are now wondering if she can continue in that role as a foreign citizen.

A reporter from the Huashang Daily called the news office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The staff reiterated again and again, "Gong Li is not a member anymore. She was a member for the ninth and tenth National Committee of the CPPCC."

"Why she can not be a member this year?"
 
"She is not a notable representative this year."
 
"Can Gong Li be a member again now that she has Singaporean citizenship?"
 
"There isn't any written regulation that says a foreigner can not be a member, but generally speaking, all members are Chinese."

Most Singaporeans don't even welcome Gong Li.  According to a media survey in Singapore, 36% of Singapore citizens welcome the acctress, while over 60% don't.

Here are some examples of comments posted on popular Chinese bulletin boards:

"It is for her own marriage. She has been married for 12 years, and just got her Singapore citizenship. That's a long time.  She has done what she should do. that’s a long time. She has done what she should do."
 
"Although she doesn't hold a Chinese passport anymore, she is still a Chinese from her heart. And she is an international artist. The arts can not be defined by citizenship!" 

"She changed her citizenship, but she didn't forget she earned a huge amount of money from China. Although this kind of thing happens a lot, I still feel sad for China, for Chinese. Your roots are in China, why try so hard to change it?"

"China doesn't recognize dual Citizenship. Gong Li must have been thought carefully before she took this step. Now she is no longer a Chinese!"