Mainland TV axes interview with UK ambassador

Well-known CGTN anchor Liu Xin did the show which referred to protests in Hong Kong. File photo: AFP

The British embassy voiced disappointment on Wednesday after the English-language branch of Chinese state television decided not to air an interview with the ambassador that included a discussion on Hong Kong.



Beijing has repeatedly warned Britain to keep off its internal affairs as London has voiced concerns over increasingly violent pro-democracy protests in the former British colony.



Ashley Rodgers, head of communications at the embassy, said that Ambassador Barbara Woodward was asked about Hong Kong during an interview in October with Liu Xin, a well-known anchor at China Global Television Network (CGTN).



"They had a good discussion and it's a shame that it won't be broadcast," Rodgers said, declining to give more details about what the ambassador said.



On Twitter, Rodgers said: "Disappointed that CGTN has decided not to broadcast Liu Xin's interview with HMA (Her Majesty's Ambassador) for 'technical reasons'.



"It was an engaging discussion on relations & viewers would have enjoyed it. This unfortunately highlights the challenges we face working with a tightly controlled media," Rodgers wrote.



CGTN is an arm of Chinese state TV giant CCTV. Neither Liu nor a member of her team were immediately available for comment. (AFP)