The Australian premier asked China for an official apology and the removal of a retouched photo posted on Twitter by a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in which an Australian soldier is seen slaughtering a young Afghan civilian.
Beijing "should be ashamed of such a tweet" attacked Toni Morrison calling the image "repulsive".
The photo, clearly edited on the computer, was posted by top Chinese official Zhao Lijian following the release of a report on crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
"Australia - replies Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying - is reacting so strongly to my colleague's tweet. Does this mean that they think the cruel killing of Afghan lives is justified? Afghan lives matter, Australian soldiers don't Should they be ashamed? Australia should apologize - said Hua - for the crimes committed in Afghanistan ".
"Some Australian soldiers have committed serious crimes in Afghanistan. The details are shocking and frightening, including rounding up men and boys who were killed or had their throats slit while blindfolded. It is the Australian government that should apologize," he continued. Hua.
The Canberra government released a report last week on the illegal killing of 39 people in Afghanistan, including civilians and prisoners, announcing compensation for the families of the victims and exemplary sanctions for those responsible.
A very tough commercial and diplomatic tug-of-war is underway between China and Australia, amid mutual accusations of interference in internal affairs and discriminatory practices, while tones have soared with Canberra's request to launch an investigation into the causes of the COVID-19.
