Based on the above, some countries have restrictions in their laws on freedom of expression, such as speeches inciting subversion, undermining national security and social stability. US Code 2383 provides that whoever incites, sets in motion, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the US shall be fined or imprisoned. In addition, the laws of the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia and Canada also include articles on subversion. It is unfair to point a finger at Chinese law.

It is even more surprising to see that the incident of the cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad was cited in the articles as an example of freedom of expression. Such incidents causing religious and racial hatred have already triggered international condemnation and violated human rights.

In their articles, Western critics imply that the Chinese are not open to different voices. But on the contrary, being open to constructive criticism has long been a virtue of Chinese culture. What the Chinese people do not accept are attacks against China's judicial sovereignty, or rhetoric seeking to subvert Chinese law or awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to persons trying to overthrow the government.

Western critics label the Nobel Committee as "independent" and "just", and honor it as a moral court. However, the Committee that comprises five Norwegians only represents the voice of some of the Norwegians or, at best, the values of some in the West. It is far from representative. Indeed, the Nobel Peace Prize is a national award with certain international fame rather than an award showing the consensus of the international community.

Historically, the Committee has awarded the Peace Prize to Andrey Dmitriyevich Sakharov, Mikhail Gorbachev and even the Dalai Lama, the logic behind the selection of recipients is clear: those who try hard to split or oppose a Communist country or cater to the West's agenda will be selected.

This year, the Committee put itself in the center of international criticism by awarding the Prize to Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese criminal. Fredrik S. Heffermhl, a Norwegian jurist commented that the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize decision is yet another example that this is no longer Nobel's Prize and it is the prize of the Norwegian Storting (the supreme legislature in Norway). Some people and media in Britain also pointed out that Liu Xiaobo did not make any contribution to world peace and there is no sign that this person would make any contribution to world peace. Giving the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo only hurts the reputation of the Peace Prize as the decision does not comply with the will of Afred Nobel. As made clear by media in Pakistan and Russia, the decision this year is another political means of handling a non-Western country. The Prize itself has long lost its independence.

All these show that the Nobel Committee has adopted an exclusive and political approach in its selection process. If the Committee is indeed independent and just, or if its selection of the Peace Prize recipient is convincing, Jagland and his colleagues would not need to defend and justify their decision.

Jagland asked China to give heed to different voices, probably the same should be said to Mr. Jagland himself.

The author is an international issue observer.