China has taken aim at Jacinda Ardern after the New Zealand Prime Minister publicly supported Australia.
Ms Ardern came to Australia's aid as it battles China over a fake image of an Australian soldier cutting the throat of an Afghani child.
The photo was posted on social media by Zhao Lijian, deputy director for China's Foreign Ministry, with a caption saying: "Don't be afraid, we're coming to bring you peace."
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Australia has demanded an apology from the Asian superpower however they have labeled that sentiment as arrogant and wants Scott Morrison to say sorry to Afghanistan over alleged war crimes.
Ms Ardern said of the issue: "This is an image that wasn't factual. It wasn't correct. And so in keeping with our principled position where images like that are used, we will raise those concerns and we'll do it directly."
China has taken that personally, with one of the local news organisations hitting back against the Kiwi leader and telling her to stay back in her box.
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The Global Times, described as a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party by News Corp, lashed out against Ms Ardern and said in an editorial that 'Kiwis bleat like Aussie sheep but don't condemn Afghan killings'.
"The consecutive moves of Canberra and Wellington to describe the cartoon as 'false' or 'unfactual' are actually trying to shift people's attention away from Australian troops' brutality against Afghan civilians," it said.
"Arden's statement has nothing to do with being wise or unwise; it is something she has to say.
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"Ardern has demonstrated that New Zealand will not stop playing double standard tricks the West uses so often. This is also part of the so-called Western values - the freedom to be hypocrites."
The editorial also came close to accusing the New Zealand Prime Minister of being racist by saying 'western politicians...do not accept the idea that other races are on an equal footing with them'.
Australia was not only supported by New Zealand in its fight with China but also by incoming US President Joe Biden.
He's posted on Twitter: "The Australian people have made great sacrifices to protect freedom and democracy around the world.
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"As we have for a century, America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia and rally fellow democracies to advance our shared security, prosperity and values."
The photo posted by Zhao Lijian is referring to the Australian Defence Force's report in alleged war crimes involving Aussie soldiers in Afghanistan.
An investigation is underway into claims 39 Afghanis were killed by ADF soldiers and the 'nature and extent of the misconduct allegedly committed by ADF members on operations in Afghanistan is very confronting'.
One of the allegations being levelled involves Australian soldiers cutting the throats of two young boys and dumping their bodies in a river on suspicions they were sympathisers of the Taliban.
Featured Image Credit: PA