China says Australia ‘misread and overreacted’ to tweet

China has accused Australia of “misreading and overreacting” to a graphic tweet from a Beijing official with a doctored photo of a soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghan child.

China has accused Australia of “misreading and overreacting” to a graphic tweet from a Beijing official and dismissed the “rage and roar” of those offended by the image of a soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghan child.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded China apologise for the Twitter post from the deputy director-general of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Lijian, but Beijing officials have only doubled down.

A Chinese embassy spokeswoman said Australia needed to “face up” to the breakdown in relations with Beijing and “take constructive practical steps” to help bring it “back to the right track”.

The tweet attached to the doctored image posted by Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

The doctored image of an Australian soldier posted by Zhao Lijian.

The spokeswoman said China’s ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye rejected the government’s “unwarranted accusations as absolutely unacceptable” following a phone call from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Frances Adamson on Monday.

“Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Hua Chunying clearly stated China’s position on the matter later in the day,” the Embassy spokeswoman said.

“We would like to further stress the following: the rage and roar of some Australian politicians and media is nothing but misreading of and over-reaction to Mr Zhao’s tweet.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

The spokeswoman said the accusations were made to “simply serve two purposes”.

“One is to deflect public attention from the horrible atrocities by certain Australian soldiers,” she said.

“The other is to blame China for the worsening of bilateral ties. There may be another attempt to stoke domestic nationalism.”

The spokeswoman said Australia’s comments were “obviously not helpful to the resetting of bilateral relationship”.

“It’s our advice that the Australian side face up to the crimes committed by the Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, hold those perpetrators accountable and bring justice to the victims,” she said.

“We also urge the Australian side face up to the crux of the current setback of bilateral relationship and take constructive practical steps to help bring it back to the right track.”

‘AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE’: US TAKES SWIPE AT CHINA

The White House has taken aim at China for its decision to slap “coercive” tariffs on Australian wine imports.

In a tongue-in-cheek show of support for Australian winemakers, the White House National Security Council on Tuesday revealed it would exclusively feature Aussie wines at an upcoming holiday event.

“Australian wine will be featured at a White House holiday reception this week,” the White House National Security Council tweeted.

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien outside the West Wing of the White House. Picture: AFP

“Pity vino lovers in China who, due to Beijing’s coercive tariffs on Aussie voters, will miss out. #AussieAussieAussieOiOiOi!”

The NSC’s message of support comes after China imposed tariffs of up to 212 per cent on Australian wine imports last month.

According to The Australian, the US State Department has also been angered by the image of a soldier shared by a Chinese official on Monday and is considering how it will respond.

This year China has threatened trade sanctions and regulatory actions against Australian barley, timber, wine, beef, coal, cotton, rock lobster and copper.

The nation is seeking to use new trade deals with Britain and the European Union to cushion the impact of China’s escalating trade war.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the government was “very concerned” by China’s moves to slap tariffs on Australian goods, including up to 200 per cent in taxes on wine exports amid dumping allegations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in quarantine at The Lodge this week Picture: Adam Taylor

“We’ll do everything we can to try and make sure we can address these trade issues that have come up with China,” he told ABC radio.

“That’s one of the reasons why over the last seven years we’ve expanded the amount of our trade covered by agreements from 26 per cent to 70 per cent.”

Mr Morrison said he was looking at how the government could get “a number of our producers through this difficult time”.

“We have been working very hard on expanding trade opportunities,” he said.