CO129-507-2 China- protection of Anglo-Chinese 11-11-1927 - 23-11-1928 — Page 80

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4. Looking at the proposed action purely from the

standpoint of the permanent Chinese population of British

Malaya, the refusal of His Majesty's Government henceforth

to attempt to afford protection to such of them as may from

time to time wish to return to China will inevitably cause

hardship in individual instances, and will in some measure

injure our prestige, but I question whether the cause of the

latter is well served by the advancement of claims which,

in practice, it is frequently found to be quite impossible

effectively to enforce. On the other hand, I would empha-

sise the fact that the class of persons affected by this

decision in whom the Governments of British Malaya are

principally interested in this connection are not British

subjects or British protected persons residing in China,

but persons of Chinese race who habitually reside in British

Malaya but who, from time to time, desire to visit China.

I would urge that it is most desirable that, even though

the claim to protect all British subjects residing in China

be abandoned, some modus vivendi should be arranged with the

local Chinese authorities whereby some reasonable and effec-

tive measure of protection and assistance can be afforded by

our Consuls to such temporary visitors from British Malaya.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Governor.

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