SHOCKING video footage has today emerged showing the moment a monkey punches a little girl in the face, sending her flying backwards.

The girl's mum watched in horror as the primate lashed out at her daughter as she fed it.

4 The monkey lashes out at the girl, causing her to flip backwards Credit: AsiaWire

At the beginning of the clip, the monkey happily accepts food from the girl and her mum, hungrily shovelling it into its mouth.

But the woman then appears to tease the animal, seemingly causing it to exact revenge.

The force of the blow caused the youngster to fall backwards, tumbling down some steps and landing in a heap at the bottom.

The video was shared by The China Global TV Network (AKA CGTN, a group of six international television channels owned by Chinese Central Television).

4 Prior to punching the girl, the primate had happily been accepting food from her Credit: AsiaWire

4 The animal seemed quite content with the girl and her mum Credit: AsiaWire

4 But seconds later, after the monkey whacked the youngster and she falls down some steps Credit: AsiaWire

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It has also been shared online in China, with some viewers defending the monkey.

One person posted: "Please be kind to all beings! Keep children and adults away from risk factors!"

It was not revealed whether the girl was hurt and no further information was made available about her identity or whereabouts the footage was filmed in China.

The type of monkey was not revealed.

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