Chinese Embassy slams Australia's complaints over doctored image as 'absolutely unacceptable'

China has said Australian complaints over a doctored image of a soldier holding a knife to a child's throat are "unacceptable" and a deflection from the recent report into potential war crimes in Afghanistan.

In a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy, a spokesperson said complaints made by the Australian secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs were "absolutely unacceptable".

"We would like to further stress the following: the rage and roar of some Australian politicians and media is nothing but misreading of and overreaction to Mr. Zhao's tweet," a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said.

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"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."

A full copy of the statement can be found below.

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The furore comes after Zhao Lijian, Deputy Director to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department, tweeted a doctored image of an Australian soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghani child.

He was making reference to the findings of the Brereton report, which alleged Australian special forces soldiers committed 39 murders in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison labelled the image posted by the Chinese official as "repugnant" and demanded an apology.

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"It is deeply offensive to every Australian who has served in uniform," Mr Morrison said.

"It is outrageous and can't be justified on any basis whatsoever."

The tweet remains live despite requests from the Australian Government for Twitter to remove the image.

READ MORE: PM defiant in the face of China's 'grievance list'

CHINA'S RESPONSE TO THE AUSTRALIAN PM: THE FULL STATEMENT

"Yesterday, Secretary of DFAT made a complaint to the Chinese Ambassador over a phonecall about the twitter post of Mr. Zhao Lijian. The Ambassador refuted the unwarranted accusations as absolutely unacceptable. Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Hua Chunying clearly stated China's position on the matter later in the day.

"We would like to further stress the following: the rage and roar of some Australian politicians and media is nothing but misreading of and overreaction 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.

"All of this is obviously not helpful to the resetting of bilateral relationship. 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.

"And we also urge the Australian side face up to the crux of the current setback of bilateral relationship and take constructive practical steps to help bring it back to the right track."