China censored the BBC News Channel as an international tribunal at the Hague ruled that the country has no claims to the disputed islands in the South China Sea.
The channel was replaced with a blank screen as the station was poised to report on a judgement favourable to the Philippines.
The Chinese are censoring the BBC’s coverage on the South China Sea ruling. @BBCWorld just gone to black as we crossed to the Hague.
— Maria Byrne (@byrnemaria) July 12, 2016
Weibo users overwhelmingly opposed the judgement and said that the Western media is biased towards the Philippines.
“Look at the Western media, it’s all criticising China, BBC, NHK – Western media is unfair, and has intentions,” one commenter said.
Another said: “Although BBC and CNN wants to lead the discussion in favour of the Philippines, but excuse me? The South China Sea carries China’s name! The sea was China’s, is China’s and will always be China’s.”
China opposed the ruling and has not taken part in the trial. The country has maintained its stance of “not accepting, not participating, and not recognising” the ruling.
