Colonial 'family' disgraceful British legacy: China Daily editorial

China's support of Argentina's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, which was reiterated in a bilateral joint statement issued on Sunday, was rebuked by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

In saying that the islands are "part of the British family", Truss simply tried to cover up the historical fact that, like many other parts of "the family", they were abducted by the United Kingdom.

The UK stole the islands from Argentina shortly after the latter took them back from Spanish colonialists in 1833. And the UK has maintained its colonial rule over the islands nearly 13,000 kilometers from London till now.

Argentina's defeat in the war with the UK in 1982 does not change the fact that it has sovereignty over them and the colonial nature of the UK's occupation of them.

Except for some former colonial countries and their followers, the majority of the countries with a sense of justice, particularly developing countries that have won their independence from colonial powers, all support Argentina's claim of sovereignty over these islands.

Truss has no basis therefore to demand China "must respect" her country's sovereignty over the islands, as that does not exist.

Were it not for the large amounts of oil reserves detected in the waters close to the islands and their geopolitical importance as a portal connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific and as a base for the exploration of Antarctica, the UK would have no interest in claiming control of the islands.

While it may try to present its forceful occupation of the islands half a world away as a proof of its extended family, in most people's eyes, that in itself is proof of the fall of the empire, as there is nothing to boast of in defeating an agricultural economy with full support from almost all its Western allies, whether open or clandestine.

The question of the Malvinas Islands is essentially a legacy of colonialism, and long gone are the days when Western colonialists had free rein.

China's position on the question of the Malvinas Islands is consistent. It firmly supports Argentina's legitimate claim to exercise full sovereignty over the islands, and urges the UK to respond positively to Argentina's requests for dialogue at an early date to look for a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the issue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

This year is the second year of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. The international community should continue to take necessary measures to uphold fairness and justice, ensure that all forms and manifestations of colonialism are genuinely consigned to history by promoting the decolonization process of the 17 UN non-self-governing territories, including the Malvinas Islands.