Nobel prize 'not against China' says Norwegian Chairman

The Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman says the choice of this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, is not a decision made against the country.

"This is not a prize against China. This is a prize honouring those people in China," Thorbjorn Jagland said.

When the award was announced last month Beijing reacted furiously, saying the decision was an insult to the prize itself.

Several countries which have embassies in Oslo have declined the invitation to attend this year's Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony.