An extremely conservative choice by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Many had hoped they would award the price to Novaya Gazeta or Edward Snowden, which would have made a more powerful statement to the global community, and more specifically Russia and North America, respectively.

China has criticized the way the Peace Prize is awarded and how the committee, opposite of what they publicly state, are heavily influenced by the political situation in Norway -- after they awarded the prize to Liu Xiaobo in 2010.

To quote Wikipedia[1]: "Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament and today roughly represent the political makeup of that body." -- so there should be no surprise behind China's criticism or how the parliament tries to appoint members that do not ruin ties between Norway and foreign markets (as they've done with China).

As a Norwegian, the way this committee not at all is independent, contrary to what they publicly state, makes me extremely ashamed and it have effectively destroyed the value of the Nobel Peace Prize, in my eyes.