China puts up fake of Oz soldier killing kid

SCOTT Morrison has blasted China’s “repugnant” slur on Australian troops and demanded an apology after Beijing posted a “falsified” image of an Australian soldier slitting the throat of a child.

Marking a dramatic escalation of the dispute, the Prime Minister erupted after Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian posted the disturbing image with the tagline, “Don’t be afraid — we are coming to bring you peace!” and said China condemned the “murder of Afghan civilians”.

Mr Morrison said it was an “absolutely outrageous and disgusting slur”.

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

But China doubled down on Monday night, with Mr Zhao’s colleague Hua Chunying saying it was Australia that needed to apologise.

Seizing on the Brereton inquiry’s report on alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, Mr Zhao said: “Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts and call for holding them accountable.”

The government demanded Mr Zhao remove his tweet on Monday and requested an apology from the Chinese government. Mr Morrison’s anger was conveyed to China’s top diplomat in Canberra and to Beijing by Australia’s ambassador. Relations further soured at the weekend after China slapped tariffs on wine exports.

Mr Morrison said there were “undoubtedly tensions”, but he hoped Mr Zhao’s post could trigger a “reset” of the relationship in a “mature way”.

He said he was “available” to talk to President Xi Jinping, as China continues to ignore overtures from their Australian counterparts.

DURING the build- up to the US election a reader wrote to us asking why the Mercury was carrying so much coverage about the overseas poll. The reason is simple — whether we like it or not global politics plays a significant part in our lives.

Since Donald Trump was defeated by Joe Biden, the way in which the world deals with China will also change and we’re already seeing that play out for Australia.

The first symptom of the coronavirus crisis was felt in Tasmania a few weeks before our first case when contracts to export crayfish to China were cancelled as the killer virus took hold in China.

During Australia’s first wave, while President Trump was still sitting pretty in the White House, the Australian government joined with other world leaders in saying we need to know exactly what happened in Wuhan.

China responded with threats to our people’s livelihoods — banning of meat and barley exports — an attempt to coerce Australians into asking no further questions.

Our country stood firm believing it was the right thing to do.

At a minimum, what we know so far is China’s response was more concerned with covering- up than containing COVID- 19.

However, questions still remain as to its precise origins, and what lessons we can take from these events.

The indications from the new leader of the free world is that the relationship between the US and China will soften.

But where does that leave Australia? Over recent weeks, China has sent clear messages that we are not yet to be forgiven for our stance. Last week the multi- billiondollar trade dispute saw tariffs of up to 200 per cent imposed on Australian wine.

The seafood industry is already reeling from the dispute.

Dozens of coal ships are sitting offshore, banned from entering Chinese ports.

The Australian government has warned it may report China to the World Trade Organisation over the barley tariffs.

Yesterday China’s Foreign Ministry tweeted an offensive fake photo of an Australian soldier in response to revelations of the Brereton war crimes inquiry.

And it matters to us here on the Apple Isle. Fishermen are selling half- priced crayfish to grateful locals while New Zealand crays are being sold to China for $ 140/ kg.

The instinct of Australians may be to call for a rejuvenation of the domestic manufacturing sector or a boycott of Chinese goods but we know this would be an irresponsible approach.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison faces one of the toughest international challenges, restoring relations with China without compromising on our position on an investigation into the origins of COVID- 19.

Free trade must prevail. But China is showing no signs of backing down.