Will China apologise for tweet attacking Australian soldiers? Experts say it’s highly unlikely

As tensions between Australia and China grow, experts say there is “zero” chance of Beijing complying with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s demand for an apology for a “repugnant” tweet from China’s foreign ministry.

WARNING: This story contains graphic content that some readers may find upsetting.

The tweet by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian shows a doctored image — reportedly originally created by a Chinese nationalist artist — depicting a grinning Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to the throat of an Afghan child.

The graphic post was an attempt to criticise Australia over the damning Brereton war crimes inquiry into the conduct of Australian special forces in Afghanistan.