Nobel Peace Prize may not be awarded for first time in history

Amid pressure from China, the central aspect of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony may be delayed for the first time in its 70 year history, following the decision to award Chinese writer and pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo.

Liu is currently serving an 11-year sentence for subversion, while his family members have apprently been prevented from leaving China to attend the awards ceremony set for Oslo next month. Liu's wife is also under house arrest.

Ambassadors from countries such as ncluding Russia and Iraq have said they will not attend the ceremony in Oslo next month.

The Nobel Committee’s rules stipulate that the Nobel Peace Prize medal, diploma, and $1.4m award can be collected only by the awarded recipient or their family members.