Foreign news

CGTN spokesperson: CGTN hopes the UK will heed calls to reverse the decision to revoke CGTN’s license

Published

6 years ago

March 10, 2021

A spokesperson for CGTN on March 9 made the following remarks after a joint statement by international journalists and celebrities:

Renowned Australian war correspondent and film-maker John Pilger, three-time Oscar winning director, producer and screenwriter Oliver Stone and other well-known broadcasters, journalists, musicians and academics, most of whom are British or have lived in Britain for a long time, jointly published an open letter on March 9 against Ofcom’s decision to revoke CGTN’s broadcasting license. They called on the regulator to reverse its decision and restore CGTN’s license. CGTN welcomes this action, and appreciates these voices for justice. We hope that the UK regulator can listen to these opinions calmly, end its political crackdown on Chinese media and correct this unfair decision as soon as possible.

The spokesperson said that as an international news channel, CGTN is committed to providing accurate, timely and objective news and information with diverse and balanced views for our global audience. As the world’s most populous nation and the second-largest economy, China is increasingly connected and engaged with the rest of the world including the UK. It is our responsibility to present Chinese viewpoints and perspectives in our news reporting, which is what our viewers expect and is also in the interest of the public. We attach importance to complying with the local regulations in all the countries and regions into which we broadcast, and look forward to continuing to cooperate with regulators in a just, fair and transparent way.

CGTN reiterates that we will continue to be committed to the principles of objectivity and impartiality and promote communication and understanding between the peoples of China and the rest of the world

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Foreign news

Court of Arbitration Declares Indus Waters Treaty Fully Operational Rejects India’s ‘Abeyance’

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Court of Arbitration has unanimously reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force, ruling that India cannot unilaterally place the 1960 agreement in “abeyance” or suspend its obligations under the treaty.

The decision represents a significant legal development in the longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the management and use of the Indus river system.

The Court’s finding addresses a fundamental issue at the heart of the dispute: whether either party can unilaterally suspend the treaty outside the legal framework agreed by both countries.

In its unanimous determination, the Court made clear that the IWT continues to bind both India and Pakistan and that its obligations cannot be set aside through a unilateral political declaration.

The ruling means India remains subject to the treaty provisions governing the use of the Western Rivers, including requirements relating to the design and operation of hydroelectric projects, as well as the dispute-resolution mechanisms established under the agreement.

The Court has also ordered interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, restricting specified construction activities while the broader dispute remains under consideration.

The measures are aimed at preserving the effectiveness of the arbitration process and preventing developments that could prejudice the outcome of the proceedings.

For Pakistan, the decision represents significant legal validation of its longstanding position that the IWT is a binding international agreement and contains no provision allowing either party to unilaterally place it in abeyance.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that disagreements over the treaty should be addressed through the institutional mechanisms established by the agreement, rather than through unilateral action.

The IWT provides a structured framework for resolving disputes through mechanisms including the Permanent Indus Commission, Neutral Expert and Court of Arbitration processes.

The latest ruling therefore reinforces the principle that treaty obligations cannot simply be disregarded because of deteriorating political relations between signatories.

The significance of the decision extends beyond the India-Pakistan dispute. It underscores the broader international-law principle that agreements governing shared rivers and other transboundary resources must be respected and disputes resolved through established legal and institutional channels.

The Indus river system supports agriculture, livelihoods, food security and communities across the region, making the stability of the treaty particularly important.

The ruling also highlights the distinction between seeking to amend an international agreement through mutually agreed procedures and attempting to alter its obligations unilaterally.

The IWT has endured wars, prolonged diplomatic tensions and periods of limited bilateral engagement. Its continued operation demonstrates the importance of rules-based mechanisms in managing shared resources when relations between neighbouring states become strained.

For Pakistan, the outcome provides an opportunity to frame the decision not merely as a bilateral legal victory, but as an affirmation of international law, treaty compliance and peaceful dispute resolution.

The central message from the ruling is clear: the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force, its obligations continue to bind both parties, and disputes concerning shared waters must be addressed through the legal mechanisms agreed by India and Pakistan.

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