CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 53

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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).