BBC head criticises China for blocking World News service

Tim Davie posted a statement on Twitter, saying that it was of "deep concern" when journalists are "restricted and their work is curtailed".

He stated that "media freedom matters" even in countries who are trying to "increase their control of information".

Mr Davie described such acts of censorship as a 'global threat'.

There have been growing tensions between the two countries, not only over media freedoms but also critical coverage over global incidents such as coronavirus and events in Xinjiang.

This came after Friday's developments when China announced that the BBC World News broadcast would be banned in China and Hong Kong, amid alleged breaches of truth and impartiality regulations.

It appears that this latest move came as a response to Ofcom's UK licence removal from China Global Television Network on Thursday, after the Office for Communications deemed the broadcaster of being controlled by politically communist groups which is a violation of UK broadcasting codes.