The Global Times warned Australia not to send warships near China or to "taste bitter fruits", but did not elaborate.

"Australia should restrain their arrogance. In particular, their warships must not go near areas near the Chinese coast to show off their prestige, otherwise they will have to taste bitter fruits," said Global Times.

The article also mentions the investigation of an Australian special forces mission on the execution of 39 civilians in Afghanistan, a factor that prompted Beijing and Canberra to keep talking in the past week, after a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman posted a photo.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned this "fake image" as "truly deplorable" and "offensive".

However, Beijing declined to apologize, saying Canberra should "feel ashamed of the atrocities of the soldiers in Afghanistan".

"Killing innocent people is trampling on human rights, but Canberra is still noble in terms of human rights. The Morrison government is too arrogant and shameless," the Global Times article said.

Beijing - Canberra relations recently deteriorated significantly, as China imposed a series of economic sanctions on Australian goods.

Australian warships have repeatedly rehearsed and conducted patrol operations to maintain freedom of navigation in the South China Sea this year.

The US, Japan and Australia held the Sea Dragon maneuvers in February, trilateral exercises with the carrier strike group Ronald Reagan in late July. The trio-warships in September also moved with South Korean naval ships.

The US, Japan and Australia last month participated in the 2020 Malabar naval drill with India.