How apt that China, a country with a shocking human rights record, sought to lecture Australia on human rights abuses. No less a fake picture of an Aussie soldier with a knife at the throat of an Afghani child posted by a member of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry honestly think Australia is going to roll over with respect to the trade bullying by smears like this?

Imagine if DFAT listed the number of people that died on the Long March, during the Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen Square or in Uighur camps?

Unlike China, Australian soldiers have a far higher chance of being prosecuted if they’ve been found to have committed war crimes. Let’s get real. China is more likely to pin medals on those that are sent to suppress minorities.

Time for Australia to reassess the long term relationship with China. No time for half hearted measures. Japan shares our regional concerns. Vietnam,The Philippines and others in the region are also sick of the confrontational attitudes in the Pacific. A friend in need is a friend indeed.