A Chinese state media boss has described Australia as the “gum stuck to the bottom of China’s shoe” as the Morrison government refuses to back down from calls for an investigation into the origins of the coroanvirus.

Hu Xijin, editor at The Global Times, said relations between Canberra and Beijing were likely to deteriorate.

“After the epidemic, we need to have more risk awareness when doing business with Australia and also when we send our children to study there,” Hu wrote on Weibo.

“Australia is always there, making trouble. It is a bit like chewing gum stuck on the sole of China’s shoes. Sometimes you have to find a stone to rub it off.”

The comments come after the Morrison government declared it won’t give in to coercion, as the Chinese embassy doubled down on its claims Australia’s call for an investigation into the coronavirus is politically motivated and labelled our top diplomat a sham.

Hu Xijin. Credit: South China Morning Post via Getty Images

Australia has held firm on calls for a global review into the origins of the virus despite China’s threats to boycott Australian education, tourism and agriculture in retaliation.

“The government has made our displeasure with those remarks known,” Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Later in the day, a spokesperson for the embassy detailed DFAT head Frances Adamson’s phone call to ambassador Cheng Jingye over his threats.

Adamson told Cheng the proposal didn’t have a political motive and didn’t target China.

“Ambassador Cheng elaborated clearly China’s relevant position, stressing that no matter what excuses the Australian side has made, the fact cannot be buried that the proposal is a political manoeuvre,” the spokesperson said.

In the video below: US law firm launches $6 trillion class action against China

Play Video A US law firm has launched a $6 trillion class action against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak A US law firm has launched a $6 trillion class action against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak

“Just as a western saying goes: Cry up wine and sell vinegar.”

The saying is a reference to offering up a good product but substituting it with a sham.

The ambassador also told Adamson Australia must “put aside ideological bias, stop political games and do more things to promote the bilateral relations”, the embassy said.

‘Transparent inquiry needed’

Senator Birmingham said a boycott from China would be inappropriate.

“We won’t be changing our public policy position on such a serious public health matter in the face of any threats of coercion from any other nation,” he said.

He points out the virus has led to hundreds of thousands of people dying, millions losing jobs, and billions facing massive disruption to their lives.

“The least the world can expect is a transparent inquiry into the causes of COVID-19 so that we can understand how best to prevent a repeat episode any time in the future,” he said.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

Labor is backing the government’s calls for a review into the origins of the virus.

Cheng said on Monday Australia’s support for the inquiry could result in Chinese tourists having second thoughts about visiting.

“Maybe the ordinary people will say ‘Why should we drink Australian wine? Eat Australian beef?’” he told The Australian Financial Review.

- With AAP