China believes that the image of the ambassador in Kiribati to step on the people's back has been distorted and intended to damage relations between Beijing and the island nation.

Chinese Ambassador Tang Songgen attended the traditional welcome ceremony "at the cordial request of the authorities, the local people, and out of respect for Kiribati's culture and traditions", the ministry spokesman

Mr. Zhao said that some people tried to slander China for this incident, but their efforts to damage China's relations with the island nations will not be successful.

The statement comes after the photo recently appeared on social media of Ambassador Tang's visit to Kiribati's Marakei Island earlier this month.

Commander Constantine Panayiotou, a US defense attaché in five Pacific island nations, including Kiribati, wrote online that he "never imagined walking on young men was acceptable behavior.

Australian MP Dave Sharma, a former diplomat who served on Australia's mission to Papua New Guinea, said he was surprised by the photo.

Kiribati's Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the incident.

Kiribati, the island nation in the Pacific, cut off diplomatic relations with Taiwan last September and moved to establish ties with China.

Associate Professor Katerina Teaiwa from the Australian National University said the act was just a way Marakei people showed hospitality, not a sign of submission.

"The people of Marakei can welcome dignitaries any way they like. Everyone knows they follow a lot of the customs of the land they live in. Everyone should be less agitated about this and respectful.