Following reports that Nicholas Tse has renounced his Canadian citizenship, veteran Hongkong singer Maria Cordero, whose dad is Portuguese and mum, Chinese, has revealed that she’s done the same.

In a recent interview with Radio Free Asia, Maria, 67, was asked for her thoughts on Nicholas renouncing his Canadian citizenship and the rumours that the Chinese government would be imposing a “restriction order” on stars with foreign citizenships.

She shared that she felt that it was the right thing to do, especially if the artiste wants to work in China.

I think they [artistes] are all going to be doing this, one after another. Unless they decide that they don't want to make that kind of money any more, and don’t want to live there,” she said.

“If you’re staying here, then of course [you should have] Chinese citizenship. Chinese citizenship comes with insurance, labour protection and welfare. You are enjoying the welfare of whichever country you reside in, she added.

While earlier reports claimed that Maria was considering renouncing her Portuguese citizenship due to the rumoured “restriction order” that will prohibit stars with foreign nationalities from working in the mainland, an interview Maria subsequently did with Hongkong news outlet Ming Pao shed more light on the issue.

Maria revealed that she actually held Canadian citizenship, just like Nicholas. However, she already renounced it a few years back. She also went on to say that if the country instates a law that prohibits dual citizenship, she’d definitely choose to be a “brave Chinese citizen”.

When asked if her decision was influenced by the fact that she wants to work in China, Maria replied: “I’ve long decided to retire in Zhongshan [a city in Guangdong] ‘cos my uncle, cousins and all my relatives are in Guangzhou and Foshan.

Photos: Maria Cordero/Instagram