CO129-507-2 China- protection of Anglo-Chinese 11-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 41

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concerned, and the agreement with the Chinese

authorities, when oɔnoladed, should be embodied

at least in a formal exchange of notes.

If these negotiations are brought to a

successful issue it iɛ very desirable that the

Consular Officers on whom will devolve the duty

of carrying the scheme into effect should

realise that no agreement we may come to with

the Chinese Government can affect the British

nationality of the persons concerned. It is

somewhat misleading to say that we will "refuse

to recognise as British Subjects" the persons

who may be affected by the agreement, and the

use of this and similar phrases tends to

obscure the fact that British subjects of

Chinese race who fail to obtain certificates of

donationalisation will continue to possess dual

nationality. What it is proposed to deal with

in the scheme now under consideration is not

their British nationality but the question of

their protection and the exercise of jurisdic-

tion over thea in China. The proposed agree-

ent on the subject would be implemented, as

regards