Chinese embassy slams 'pitiful' Tony Abbott after Taiwan speech

China's embassy in Australia has launched a strongly-worded attack on former Prime Minister Tony Abbott after the latter's trip to Taiwan.

Mr Abbott, who visited the island in a private capacity, targeted Beijing in a speech he gave there this week.

He branded President Xi Jinping as "the new red emperor" as he spoke at a national security forum attended by Taiwan's president and foreign minister.

READ MORE: Tony Abbott takes aim at China in strongly worded speech in Taiwan

"Beijing has torn-up the 'one country, two systems' treaty on Hong Kong; put upwards of a million Uighurs into concentration camps; boosted cyber spying on its own citizens; cancelled popular personalities in favour of a cult of the new red emperor; brutalises Indian soldiers in the Himalayas; coerced other claimants in its eastern seas, and flown evermore intimidatory sorties against Taiwan," he said.

"Its embassy has published 14 demands – essentially that we become a tributary state."

Mr Abbott said Australia "welcomed" Chinese trade and investment, but demanded that Beijing's "hectoring" cease.

READ MORE: Chinese President Xi Jinping vows to pursue 'reunification' with Taiwan

Now, the country's Australian embassy has responded.

"Tony Abbott is a failed and pitiful politician," the embassy said in a statement.

"His recent despicable and insane performance in Taiwan fully exposed his hideous anti-China features. This will only further discredit him."