China has denounced criticism of its ambassador to Kiribati walking across a group of people's backs as slander.
"Some people have tried to slander China over this incident, but their attempts to damage China's relationship with island nations will not succeed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing in Beijing on Thursday (local time).
The photo was taken during ambassador Tang Songgen's recent trip to the Marakei island earlier in August.
It shows the ambassador walking across a group of men's backs during a welcoming ceremony.
The picture was posted to Twitter by journalist Michael Field and was met with swift backlash as people questioned the ethics of the practice.
"I simply cannot imagine any scenario in which walking on the backs of children is acceptable behavior by an ambassador of any country (or any adult for that matter!) Yet here we are thanks to #China's ambassador to Kiribati," United States' defence attache to five Pacific Islands including Kiribati, Commander Constantine Panayiotou wrote online.
It is unclear how old the men in the picture are but some social media users suggested they were children.
However, many people have defended the practice saying it is customary on many islands and has been taken out of context.
"They're not kids! Zoom in the picture and you'll see they're all grown adults. This is a traditional custom that Kiribati have chosen to offer as a sign of respect and hospitality to a welcomed guest," one person wrote.
"This is our island's show of respect for guests. If a foreigner marries into a family the men would lie down as a way of welcome. As for the women, the men will carry her on her shoulders to her destination. The same form of welcoming is afforded to all and is seen during weddings and first time visits. Let's not manipulate facts to suit our stories," another person said.
In a statement online, Tang said the primary goal from his trip was to have a relationship which benefits more Kiribati people.
"The embassy team was warmly welcomed and received in those islands by the old men, the island councils as well as the local people. We were greeted in traditional courtesies, invited to local maneaba (meeting house) ceremonies, where the whole team was overwhelmed by the unique culture and hospitality," he said.
Some critics have argued that the picture highlights China's growing influence on Kiribati. In September last year, Kiribati suddenly switched its diplomatic alliance from Taipei in Taiwan to Beijing.
In 2019, a 60 Minutes investigation accused China of trying to buy influence in the South Pacific by targeting Vanuatu, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.
