BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhuanet) -- A referendum has begun for residents of the Malvinas Islands, known as the Falklands in Britain, on whether to remain an overseas British territory.

A total of 1,600 islanders are eligible to vote at 10 polling stations across the Islands. Vote counting will begin at 2300 GMT on Monday, with an announcement expected shortly after.

Argentina says the referendum is "illegal", and is calling for the return of the islands through negotiations.

The South Atlantic islands lie less than 500 kilometers off the Argentinian coast. Britain and Argentina went to war over the islands in 1982. The UK has long refused to negotiate over their status.

(Source: CNTV.cn)