According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, Australia has denied that its Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, had remarked that "China doesn't respect weakness" and that Australia will speak up in defense of peace, liberal values and the rule of law - even at the risk of causing offence in Beijing, reported The Age and other Australian media.

Before that, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had publicly praised the exploits of some of Japan's military during World War II.

Remarks like these from top Australian leaders have caused huge displeasure from the Chinese public.

Australia made explanations to China through diplomatic channels, which seems to want to dilute the dissatisfaction of Chinese opinion.

But the explanation lacks sincerity. Chinese society will not accept clarification from Canberra this way.

Bishop's provocative remarks were cited by Australian media, which might have distorted what she actually meant. She could make a clarification through the media. But she has kept mum over these reports, which indicates that she accepted the way her words were interpreted. Now the denial by the Australian side is more like duplicity.

China cannot encourage that some Western leaders criticize China in their own media while later offering private explanations. Some people think an explanation is better than doing nothing. Western media coverage of China has always been like this and there's not much we can do.

In China's diplomatic policies, all countries are important. But no country is so important that we have to curry favor with it, especially one whose foreign minister makes impertinent remarks about China. Australia is not as important as it believes. It is a marginalized Asia-Pacific country, and its importance to China is partly out of courtesy rather than actuality.

An Australian foreign minister careless enough to make such remarks about China shows the true weight of China to Australia. Her malicious attitude also reveals the tough challenge China is facing.

China has been friendly with Australia, but leaders in Canberra persist in making offensive declarations. We can mock ourselves about our international plight, while we can also choose to struggle to be stronger.

The remarks by Australian leaders will represent the image of Australia. This makes us believe that Australia has not developed mature politics and its leaders will occasionally behave irrationally. We may have to expect that it could suddenly change face.

Before Bishop uttered those offensive words, few Chinese were aware of her, but she will soon be forgotten.

In our minds, Australia is an English-speaking country, apt for travel, rich in iron ore and kangaroos and has an opera house designed to look like sails. Bishop will leave a brief impression that Australia used to have a female foreign minister who uttered irresponsible words.