China Reiterates Support for Argentinian Claim Over Disputed U.K.-Controlled Islands

What’s new: China continues to support Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands, also known as the Falklands, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

At a Thursday session of the U.N. Special Committee on Decolonization, Geng said China’s position on the Malvinas Islands — one of the 17 non-self-governing territories, with Britain as the administering power — has been consistent and the country firmly supports Argentina’s sovereignty claim, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

“We hope Britain will actively respond to Argentina’s request, start dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible with a view to finding a peaceful, just and lasting solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions,” he was quoted as saying.

The background: Argentina and Britain have long disputed sovereignty over the islands, which the U.N. has listed as a non-self-governing territory since 1946. The two countries fought a war over the islands in 1982.

Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Solá participated in the Thursday’s U.N. session. He said in a statement that the country seeks to resume negotiations with the U.K. “to find a peaceful solution to the dispute regarding the Falkland Islands,” according to Argentine media.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.