China state media censors Paralympics official's plea for peace

Andrew Parson's voice appeared to be muffled, and a sign language interpreter stopped translating his words onscreen

Chinese national broadcaster CCTV censored a top Paralympics official's comments at the opening ceremony of the Games currently taking place in Beijing.

Andrew Parsons - the Chairman of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) made an impassioned call for peace in his speech.

“Tonight, I want to begin with a message of peace," he said in English, addressing an audience that included President Xi Jinping.

But in the telecast by CCTV, his voice appeared to be muffled, and a sign language interpreter stopped translating his words onscreen.

The following segments of his speech were also censored:

"As the leader of an organisation with inclusion at its core, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world right now. The 21st Century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate.The Olympic Truce for peace during the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a UN Resolution adopted by consensus by 193 Member States at the 76th UN General Assembly. It must be respected and observed not violated.”

Last week, the IPC banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the Paralympics in a rare move.

China has so far refused to call the situation in Ukraine an invasion and also abstained from voting against Russia at the UN so far.