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Low Peng Kiah being a Chinese citizen, having offended
against Chinese laws and having expressed his willingness to
pay the penalty fixed by those laws, the action of the Chao-
Mei Opium Suppression Bureau in punishing him is not contrary
to law.
Further, I would point out that the Chinese law of
nationality is founded on the jus sanguinis, and though a
person may be born abroad he cannot be recognized as a
foreigner until his renunciation of his Chinese nationality
has been duly approved. Though Low Peng Kiah's father
traded as a merchant at Singapore and Low Peng Kiah was
himself born abroad he has not applied to the Chinese
Government for permission to renounce his Chinese nationality,
and therefore in view of the provisions of the Chinese law
of nationality, he cannot be recognized as a foreigner and
so escape at will the penalty of his offence.
I have not doubt that you will understand these points
and give them due consideration.
I have etc.
(Card of Commissioner for Foreign
Affairs).