China Foreign Ministry spokesman tweets graphic fake photo of Australian soldier

China’s Foreign Ministry used an offensive, fake photo to attack Australia’s military standing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. Picture: AFP

China’s Foreign Ministry has attacked Australia over the revelations of the Brereton war crimes inquiry, tweeting out an offensive fake photo.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian – a regular critic of Australian foreign policy - said he was shocked by allegations Australian soldiers were linked to 39 unlawful killings of Afghan nationals during the War in Afghanistan.

Mr Zhao tweeted a fake, provocative, photo of an Australian soldier holding a knife to a child’s throat on top of the Afghan flag.

“Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers,” Mr Zhao tweeted.

“We strongly condemn such acts, &call for holding them accountable.”

Angry Morrison demands an apology

Scott Morrison is demanding China apologise for spreading the fake image, saying Beijing should be ashamed.

The fake picture, partially osbscured, sent out on Twitter today.

The Prime Minister said Mr Zhao’s fake photo was repugnant, and he has asked both the Chinese government and Twitter to remove it.

“The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post,” he said.

“You don’t engage disinformation, and the ugliness that we see in this post on the Chinese government Twitter account today.”

Mr Morrison saIDs he was confident Twitter would take down the top Chinese Foreign Ministry official’s fake photo slur against Australian soldiers, despite its past reluctance to discipline governments.

Labor defends Australian soldiers

Opposition industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke says Australian soldiers should not be denigrated for the alleged war crimes committed by a “tiny minority” of defence personnel.

Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke. Picture: AAP

On Monday morning, China’s Foreign Ministry attacked Australia over the revelations of the Brereton war crimes inquiry and tweeted an offensive fake photo.

Mr Burke said Australia had been upfront about the inquiry process into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

“We must not allow Australian soldiers who have put their lives at risk, some who have lost their lives, to in any way, be denigrated and allow the actions of a tiny minority be a way of tarnishing people,” he said in Canberra on Monday.

In response to the photo tweeted by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mr Burke said Australians should have full confidence in the country’s defence force.

Finance Minister defends war crimes process

Earlier, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham defended Australia’s handling of allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan.

ABC News reported Russia’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at Australia’s ability to hold servicemen accountable for the alleged crimes and said the country’s credibility was tarnished on the international stage.

Senator Birmingham said Australia had shown “accountability and transparency” through undertaking the Brereton war crimes inquiry. The report revealed special forces allegedly murdered 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.

“We can take in pride in the work of our servicemen and women,” he told the ABC on Monday.

“Unlike other countries who may sweep these things under the carpet we undertook a thorough investigation. We’re applying remedies to address it.”

Additional reporting: Adeshola Ore