China’s UK embassy stokes Argentina claim over Falkland Islands
- Beijing’s view on sovereignty of the islands has ‘been consistent’ says mission, reiterating Xi Jinping’s support for Buenos Aires’ claims
- The Chinese president and his Argentinian counterpart drew a furious reaction from London when they jointly called for the islands to be restored
China has stepped up pressure on Britain over the Falklands, insisting London respond to Argentina’s latest demand that it relinquish control of the islands, known as Las Malvinas in Spanish.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said “we completely reject any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands”.
A statement from the embassy said China’s position on the issue of the Malvinas Islands had been consistent.
“We firmly support Argentina’s legitimate claim to full sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. China has always advocated that territorial disputes between countries should be resolved through peaceful negotiations in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” it said.
“We hope that the UK will respond positively to Argentina’s request, start dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and find a peaceful, just and lasting solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.”
Beijing has also rejected London’s criticism of its handling of Hong Kong affairs, which it regards as an internal matter.
Why is China so keen to get involved in the Falklands dispute?
Beijing has previously condemned Britain’s “colonial mindset” in relation to the Falklands, which voted overwhelmingly in a 2013 referendum to remain a British overseas territory.
Speaking at a session on decolonisation last June, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN Geng Shuang called for all forms of colonialism to end. At the same session, Argentina tried to initiate negotiations with Britain over the islands’ sovereignty.
“Today in the 21st century, the days when Western colonialists had free rein are long gone,” Geng said, adding that “colonial thinking, power politics and bullying” continued to manifest in international relations.
“[They] have a serious impact on global order, and severely undermine the sovereignty, security and development rights of the countries concerned, as well as their political, economic, and social stability.”
Argentina – which says it inherited the islands from the Spanish crown in 1767 – has never relinquished its claim. An invasion of the islands in 1982 was defeated by a British task force.
China signs deal with Argentina to build nuclear power plant
Wang Yiwei, a professor in European studies at Renmin University in Beijing, said Argentina and China had established a new consensus with the Argentinian president’s attendance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Wang said the two countries had also signed memorandums of understanding underpinning their willingness to work together, and acknowledging their mutual support on sovereignty issues.
“China’s stance towards the issue of the Falklands has always remained the same since the time of Mao,” he said.
“As these issues have still not been solved now, China will maintain its usual stance and moreover, Argentina supports China on Taiwan issues too.”
Wang said that, apart from issuing statements, China appeared ready to support Argentina’s claims in the United Nations.
Additional reporting by Kinling Lo
