BEIJING - The Australian government should make an official apology to the Afghan people for the killing of Afghan civilians by Australian soldiers, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday.

Hua made the remarks when asked about Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's demand for an apology for a social media post by ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

According to Hua, it has been confirmed by a report of the Australian defense department that some Australian soldiers committed serious crimes in Afghanistan and the details are appalling and shocking.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged the Australian government to do some soul-searching, bring the culprits to justice and solemnly pledge that they will never repeat such crimes

The report detailed war crimes allegedly committed by Australian forces serving in Afghanistan, including many incidents involving the killing of prisoners and innocent civilians.

READ MORE: Aussie PM: Army top brass also to blame for Afghan war crimes

"The Australian side has been reacting so strongly to my colleague's post on Twitter. Does that mean that they think that the cold-blooded murder of Afghan innocent civilians is justified while other people's condemnation of such crimes is unjustified? Afghan lives matter," she said.

Hua urged the Australian government to do some soul-searching, bring the culprits to justice and solemnly pledge that they will never repeat such crimes.

"Shouldn't the Australian government feel ashamed for sending their soldiers to Afghanistan? Shouldn't the Australian government feel ashamed for their soldiers committing such atrocities and killing innocent civilians in Afghanistan?" Hua said.

US urged to stop arms sales to Taiwan

At the same briefing, Hua reiterated China's firm opposition to US' arms sales to Taiwan, urging the US to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly and avoid "treading further down the wrong and dangerous path".

"China stands firmly opposed to the US arms sales to Taiwan," Hua said, adding that this position is clear and consistent.

We also once again give the stern message to the Taiwan authorities that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end. Attempts and actions to seek external interference and use weaponry to resist reunification are doomed to fail.

Hua Chunying

READ MORE: China firmly opposes US-Taiwan exchanges, military contacts

"We once again send this stern message to the US side: China will resolutely fight back against all attempts that undermine China's core interests and interfere in China's internal affairs," Hua said.

She urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop arms sales to Taiwan, cease military links with the island, and prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, so as to avoid going further down the wrong and dangerous path.

"We also once again give the stern message to the Taiwan authorities that 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end. Attempts and actions to seek external interference and use weaponry to resist reunification are doomed to fail," Hua added.