Geng, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the comments on Tuesday to a special committee on decolonisation, which adopted a resolution calling on Britain and Argentina to resume negotiations over the islands, also known as the Malvinas.

"The issue of the Malvinas Islands is a historical legacy of colonialism. Although the colonial era has passed, hegemonism and power politics that are in line with colonial thinking still exist today," he said, quoted by the SCMP.

Geng said this way of thinking has a "serious impact" on international relations and order and "seriously damages" the sovereignty, security and development interests of the countries involved.

"The international community must remain highly vigilant and resolutely resist this," he said.