Actor Nicholas Tse, who was born in Hong Kong, has applied to renounce his Canadian citizenship. Tse revealed this in a recent interview with the Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television.
While making the revelation, Tse said: “I was looking through the reviews of my recent movie Raging Fire when I saw that some were questioning my nationality, saying that I am a Canadian.”
The actor cum singer, who joined show business when he was 16, made it known that he has always been a Chinese national.
He said: “Whether it is food or music or action movies, no matter what kind of content or identity, I have always wanted to spread Chinese culture and spirit to the world.”
While bringing up ‘Yellow Race’, a song which he wrote over a decade ago about Chinese history and pride, he said he had always felt a strong sense of national responsibility, and the feeling grew stronger as he matured.
Tse’s decision to renounce his Canadian citizenship came amid a crackdown by the Chinese authorities on the entertainment industry, with speculations swirling that stars who possess foreign citizenship might be blacklisted.
His father, Patrick Tse, said that he had no awareness of his son’s decision but supported it.
Also, Nicholas Tse’s management agency, Emperor Entertainment Group, said that it backed his decision, though it had not been informed until the interview aired.
It has been confirmed that the paperwork had been submitted.
