Scott Morrison has demanded an apology after an official Chinese government Twitter account posted a “repugnant” attack on Australia’s soldiers.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted a graphic, fake photograph of an Australian soldier holding a knife to a child’s throat.
The provocative image is a reference to the Afghan war crimes report, which found evidence of elite Australian soldiers murdering 39 Afghan civilians.
“Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers,” Mr Zhao tweeted.
“We strongly condemn such acts, & call for holding them accountable.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said China should be “utterly ashamed” of the post. He has demanded Beijing remove it and issue an apology.
He confirmed the government had also contacted Twitter to remove the post.
Mr Morrison conceded tensions between Canberra and Beijing were ongoing, but urged China to disavow the “appalling” attack and return to the negotiation table.
“The way to deal with those is by engaging directly in discussion and dialogue between ministers and leaders. Despite this terribly offensive post today, I would ask again and call on China to re-engage in that dialogue,” he said.
“You don’t engage in disinformation, and the ugliness, that we’ve seen in this post on the Chinese government Twitter account today.
“I am extremely proud of all Australians who put a uniform on for us. I’m proud of their service. I’m proud of their dedication. I’m proud of their loyalty this country and its values.
“Today is not a day for Australia in any way to feel wrongly about how we conduct ourselves. Even with this difficult information to deal with, we are dealing with it in the right way.
“The only thing that has brought shame today is this appalling post by the Chinese government.
“This sort of conduct is not conducive to any relationship. And that’s why I think it’s so important in our mutual interests that this egregious act be dealt with in the way that I’ve suggested.”
He said the incident highlighted the need for Canberra and Beijing to remain in ongoing dialogue.
“Australia has always been available for that, and Australia has sought to arrange that,” he said. Mr Morrison had sought to cool tensions with Beijing during a speech last week, in which he lauded China for dragging millions of its citizens out of poverty.
In a seemingly positive development, Mr Zhao told a daily briefing that Beijing had noticed the rhetoric emanating from Canberra.
Despite the sudden reversal, Mr Morrison warned against “over-assuming” by linking the two incidents.
“I’ve consistently said that China’s economic development has been a positive for Australia and for China, pulling more people out of poverty than in the history of the world,” he said.
“I think these are positive things. Australia has played a role in that. That is why a positive relationship between China and Australia is so possible even given the changes that have occurred over the last ten years.”
Labor has joined the government in calling for the tweet to be taken down.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese condemned the post as “gratuitous, inflammatory and deeply offensive”.
“Labor will not be asking questions about this matter today,” he told parliamentary Question Time.
“Australia‘s condemnation of this image is above politics and we all stand as a nation in condemning it.”
ASPI defence, strategy and national security director Michael Shoebridge said China needs to look in the mirror before casting assertions on Australia’s handling of alleged war crimes.
“The contrast with the Chinese government is extraordinary because they have over one million Uighurs in detention camps,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“We only know this, not because they released a forensic investigation and are trying to stop the abuses, but from leaked accounts from escapees, leaked government documents and satellite imagery.
“The scale of their abuses, which are government directed, are breathtaking.”
“If they conducted a forensic investigation to prevent them, just as our government has with the small number of unlawful killings, the world would be a better and fairer place.”
Source: News.com.au
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