SCMP columnist proposes Hong Kong model for Argentina over Falklands
The South China Morning Post published a column whose author called on the United Kingdom to consider transferring sovereignty over the Falkland Islands to Argentina under the model of the agreement on the transfer of Hong Kong to China. In the author’s view, Argentine President Javier Milei’s proposal could become the basis for a peaceful settlement of the long-running territorial dispute.
Arguments of the sides
The column notes that Argentina, which calls the archipelago Islas Malvinas, claims historical rights to the islands. Argentine lawyers Marcelo Kohen and Facundo Rodríguez refer to the principle of uti possidetis juris: according to their argument, Buenos Aires inherited sovereignty from Spain after gaining independence in 1816.
Argentina also claims that in 1833, British naval forces forcibly expelled Argentine representatives and settlers from the islands. The United Kingdom, in turn, emphasizes the right of the archipelago’s residents to self-determination: in a referendum in March 2013, 99.8% of participants voted to retain the status of a British Overseas Territory. The column’s author points out that the Argentine side does not consider this argument decisive, viewing the islands’ current residents as a transplanted colonial community.
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Hong Kong analogy
The model proposed by the author is based on the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. Under it, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China, while the territory’s social systems were to be preserved for 50 years. In the columnist’s view, under an agreement, Falkland Islands residents could retain governance structures, British cultural identity and the economic system under Argentine sovereignty.
The article also mentions UN General Assembly Resolution 2065 of 1965, which called on the United Kingdom and Argentina to hold negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the dispute. According to the column, Milei rejects a military path and supports a consensus-based solution. The author called on Argentina to guarantee the islanders’ property rights, way of life and autonomy, and on the United Kingdom to agree to negotiations.
