MarketPlace recently did a study on why Chinese parents choose to deliver their babies in the United States. Many of them cite “better welfare, environment and education” as the main factors.
Famous celebrities in China have also come under scrutiny for purposely flying to America to give birth. Here are a few well-known stars who have American-born kids:
1. Zhang Ziyi and Wang Feng
Actress Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) and singer Wang Feng (汪峰) welcomed their oldest child together – Xing Xing – in the United States just 2 days after Christmas. They couple are expecting their second child in the coming months and it’s likely they will want a US citizenship for their new baby too.
2. Jenny Zhang
You may recognise her as the “Fragrant Concubine” Xojam Chenbi in “Story of Yanxi Palace” (延禧攻略). The 32-year-old actress is married to a non-celebrity and the couple have 2 sons together – both of whom were born in the US.
3. Jimmy Lin
Taiwanese actor Jimmy Lin (林志穎) and his model beau Kelly Chen (陳若儀) flew to Los Angeles to give birth to their eldest son Kimi. The reason being? To ensure that their growing family got some privacy away from the media.
4. Jackie Chan
When Jackie Chan (成龍) and Joan Lin (林鳳嬌) secretly got married in 1982, the pair also welcomed their son Jaycee Chan (房祖名) in Los Angeles that same year. Jaycee studied in the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia only for 2 semesters before dropping out.
5. Vincent Zhao
Martial arts actor Vincent Zhao (趙文卓) has 4 children in total. His ex-girlfriend gave birth to his eldest son in Canada in 2002. After he tied the knot with Zhang Danlu (張丹露), the lovebirds welcomed their daughter (who was born in America) in 2007. However their 2 younger children were born in Hong Kong.
6. Chen Kaige
Well-respected director Chen Kaige (陳凱歌) and his wife Chen Hong (陳紅) had their second son Arthur Chen (陳飛宇) in the US back in 2000. Since then, Arthur has become a rising star in his own right. After starring his father’s shows “Sacrifice” (趙氏孤兒) and “The Orphan of Zhao” (趙氏孤兒), the 19-year-old has 3 films out this year.
Other honourable mentions:
- Huang Bo (黃渤)
- Stephy Qi (戚薇)
- Tamia Liu (劉濤)
- Crystal Huang (黃奕)
- Wang Baoqiang (王寶強)
- Shirley Yeung (楊思琦)
Source: Jayne Stars.
