China slams over-reaction to doctored image of Aussie soldier

China’s embassy has lashed out at the “rage and roar” in response to the now infamous doctored image of an Aussie soldier.

CHINA’S Australian embassy has lashed out at Australia for what it called “unwarranted and absolutely unacceptable” reaction to its foreign ministry posting an offensive image of an Australian soldier with the knife to the throat of an Afghan child.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded an apology on Monday, saying China should be ashamed, while Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Frances Adamson raised the issue directly with the Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye.

China’s inflammatory photoshop of Aussie soldier holding knife to a child

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye. The Chinese embassy released a statement dismissing the reaction to the image as a “misreading”. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

But an embassy spokesperson on Tuesday afternoon traded more barbs, accusing Australia of trying to distract from the Brereton war crimes report.

“The Ambassador refuted the unwarranted accusations as absolutely unacceptable,” the statement 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.

“The accusations made are simply to serve two purposes. One is to deflect public attention from the horrible atrocities by certain Australian soldiers.

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

The spokesman said it was not helpful in resetting the bilateral relationship, despite its foreign ministry posted the image in an apparent attempt to escalate tensions.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

Australia has apologised to the Afghanistan Government over the allegations in the Brereton report, which found “credible information” 25 special forces soldiers committed 39 murders of Afghan civilians, and mistreated two others, and has appointed a taskforce to move towards potential prosecutions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an apology over the offensive image posted by China’s foreign ministry spokesman. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison on Monday said the tweet was “deeply offensive” to every Australian, including all those who served in the Australian Defence Force now and in the past.

“It’s entirely outrageous and it can’t be justified on any basis whatsoever,” he said.

“The Chinese Government should be totally ashamed of this post. It diminishes them in the world’s eyes.”

But on Tuesday he urged his Coalition colleagues not to further “amplify” the situation.

Originally published as China slams over-reaction to doctored image of Aussie soldier