[News] Spencer Foo signs with KHL Kunlun Red Star. Has chance to play for China in Olympics

[Finger Cookin]

Who will be our next Spencer Foo since Foo was our next Daniel Pribyl? The chain must continue.

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Do you have to pledge allegiance to the Communist Party in order to have a chance to play for China?

[Strange Brew]

^ great question. I get that playing in the Olympics would be fun, but I hope anyone would consider their citizenship seriously in this scenario.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Phan

Do you have to pledge allegiance to the Communist Party in order to have a chance to play for China?

Comrade we dont discuss these types of things.

We're going to need you to take a seat over there Comrade.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

China does not recognize duo citizenship, it's either or not both.

But *Canada* would still recognize his Canadian citizenship. You cannot relinquish Canadian citizenship without official paper work in Canada. Simply swearing to it, in a citizenship ceremony in China (or the US for that matter) has no effect on what another government thinks.

[FanIn80]

To be fair, I don’t think any country recognizes “duo” citizenship; however, there are countries that recognize dual-citizenship.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

To be fair, I don’t think any country recognizes “duo” citizenship; however, there are countries that recognize dual-citizenship.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by the2bears

But *Canada* would still recognize his Canadian citizenship. You cannot relinquish Canadian citizenship without official paper work in Canada. Simply swearing to it, in a citizenship ceremony in China (or the US for that matter) has no effect on what another government thinks.

While this is true, China may require that its citizens forsake all previous citizenships.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

While this is true, China may require that its citizens forsake all previous citizenships.

Could be.

My sister-in-law is from Japan and was told that if she gets Canadian citizenship, her Japanese citizenship becomes revoked by the Japanese government.

From their perspective it has to be one or the other. The act of getting another citizenship is the equivalent of renouncing your previous one in their eyes.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

While this is true, China may require that its citizens forsake all previous citizenships.

But that's my point. China may require this, and you can swear to it while receiving Chinese citizenship. However, per my understanding, you would still be a Canadian citizen as Canada would not recognize the action. China cannot revoke Canadian citizenship, only Canada can. I believe there's a separate process involving documents and signing them, to relinquish Canadian citizenship.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Could be.

My sister-in-law is from Japan and was told that if she gets Canadian citizenship, her Japanese citizenship becomes revoked by the Japanese government.

From their perspective it has to be one or the other. The act of getting another citizenship is the equivalent of renouncing your previous one in their eyes.

There may be a lot of countries that observe it this way, but Canada is, to my knowledge, not one of them.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by the2bears

There may be a lot of countries that observe it this way, but Canada is, to my knowledge, not one of them.

I think you're right. Canada would have no issue recognizing both. As far as I know, Canada doesn't make anyone renounce their other citizenship status.

Some countries do and I wouldn't be shocked if China is one of them.

[868904]

Pretty balsy for Foo to go to China in today’s political climate and with the China / Canada relationship the way it is.

He better sing the praises of the Communist government and stay on the straight and narrow while he’s there.

Being Canadian won’t save him now if he pisses the wrong person off. In fact, it will probably hurt him.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by the2bears

But that's my point. China may require this, and you can swear to it while receiving Chinese citizenship. However, per my understanding, you would still be a Canadian citizen as Canada would not recognize the action. China cannot revoke Canadian citizenship, only Canada can. I believe there's a separate process involving documents and signing them, to relinquish Canadian citizenship.

Kind of. That is close to how it works in the US - you take an oath that you renounce any allegiance to foreign governments. But there is no requirement you renounce your citizenship to other countries, nor do you have to state that you have given up citizenship during the application process.

But I am referring to countries requiring you to give up your previous citizenships as part of the citizenship process. If that was the case, presumably you would have to state that you have done this, involving as you state submitting formal application to your original country, a la Ted Cruz. Or even supply evidence that you have done so.

Point is, lying is never good but lying to the Chinese government seems like a dangerous route to take.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Kind of. That is close to how it works in the US - you take an oath that you renounce any allegiance to foreign governments. But there is no requirement you renounce your citizenship to other countries, nor do you have to state that you have given up citizenship during the application process.

But I am referring to countries requiring you to give up your previous citizenships as part of the citizenship process. If that was the case, presumably you would have to state that you have done this, involving as you state submitting formal application to your original country, a la Ted Cruz. Or even supply evidence that you have done so.

Point is, lying is never good but lying to the Chinese government seems like a dangerous route to take.

Agreed, I wouldn't want to get caught lying to them. I wonder if they only ask you to declare, or swear, that you relinquish. Or if they require proof of revocation? Anyway, I've led this conversation too far off topic already.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by the2bears

Agreed, I wouldn't want to get caught lying to them. I wonder if they only ask you to declare, or swear, that you relinquish. Or if they require proof of revocation? Anyway, I've led this conversation too far off topic already.

Yeah to me the big point here is that taking on Chinese citizenship might be a pretty big deal for Mr. Foo.

I get that rules are often different for athletes. celebrities etc. And I am sure that may be true in China as well. But he's not exactly a big catch. I hope he knows what he is doing.

[BurningSteel]

He will likely sign for $888.888.88

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

But he's not exactly a big catch.

As an NHL-calibre player with actual Chinese heritage, he's pretty much as big as they're going to get.

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by 868904

Pretty balsy for Foo to go to China in today’s political climate and with the China / Canada relationship the way it is.

He better sing the praises of the Communist government and stay on the straight and narrow while he’s there.

Being Canadian won’t save him now if he pisses the wrong person off. In fact, it will probably hurt him.

Oh, please. China isn't some dystopian wasteland.

[Freeway]

FWIW, IIHF rules aren't the same thing as citizenship rules, though they're just as wonky and complex sometimes.