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Argentina
ChinaDiplomacy

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

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Falkland Islanders celebrate the result of a referendum in 2013, which overwhelmingly supported remaining British, despite Argentina’s sovereignty claims. Photo: AFP
Teddy Ng

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.

The Chinese embassy in Britain reiterated Beijing’s stance on Tuesday, a day after a furious response from London to a joint statement from President Xi Jinping and his Argentinian counterpart Alberto Fernandez which called for Argentina to be given “the full exercise of sovereignty” over the islands.

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.”

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