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Artyom Ivanov / TASS / Getty Images
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying holds a weekly press conference.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission
A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry says she was surprised that New Zealand expressed concern about promoting a doctored image of an Australian soldier.
A Chinese official tweeted a photo of a soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghan boy.
The falsified image refers to a recent investigation in Australia that found that 39 of its soldiers were responsible for unlawful killings of Afghan civilians.
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* Jacinda Ardern: New Zealand has expressed concern to China about the falsified image of an Australian soldier
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* China degrades its own position with a propaganda coup against Australia
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Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent months, and recently China caused outrage by posting a fake photo of an Australian soldier slitting a child’s throat.
New Zealand officially raised concerns with China about the use of “non-factual mail”.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters that New Zealand is closely watching relations with its main trading partner China and others and will speak out on issues that concern it. “We will stick to our independent foreign policy, but that does not prevent us from observing what is happening with others.”
At a news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was “very surprised” when she read on the news that New Zealand had expressed concern.
“Does this matter have anything to do with New Zealand? Could New Zealand agree or even support Australia’s actions?” she said.
“As I said, we have photographs and other facts, including the Australian Department of Defense report on this matter.
“The truth and merits of this matter are very clear. If necessary, our journalist friends China and Australia can provide these materials to New Zealand.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded that the Chinese government remove what he described as a “disgusting” tweet targeting the Australian Defense Forces in the wake of the landmark war crimes investigation.
The Chinese embassy in Australia said politicians had “misinterpreted” the tweet and were trying to stoke nationalism.
On Tuesday, the tweet was placed at the top of the social media account of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian and China. Global times The newspaper, known for its nationalistic views, interviewed the Chinese artist who created the image.
“The anger and roar of some Australian politicians and media is nothing more than a misinterpretation and overreaction to Mr Zhao’s tweet,” the Chinese embassy in Canberra said in a statement on Tuesday.
Australia sought to “stoke national nationalism” and “divert public attention from the horrific atrocities committed by certain Australian soldiers,” he said.
This story was originally posted on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
