The insulting and very unusual phrase China is using to slam Anthony Albanese - and exactly what it means

• e-mail

A Chinese newspaper has brutally branded Anthony Albanese a 'greenhorn' on diplomacy - meaning he's inexperienced and doesn't know what he's doing.

The Global Times - a propaganda mouthpiece for Beijing - used the old-fashioned word in an article this week as Mr Albanese headed to key NATO meetings in Spain.

'Since taking office in May, Albanese, who is a ''greenhorn on diplomacy'', has largely taken a similar line to the US,' the author wrote.

The word was used in the 15th century to describe a young ox or bull because their horns had not matured. 

A Chinese newspaper has brutally branded Anthony Albanese a 'greenhorn on diplomacy'. The PM is pictured with partner Jodie Haydon

The article came after the Prime Minister suggested the harsh and united response to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine would serve as a warning to China, which wants to reunite with Taiwan.  

He told the Australian Financial Review that Ukraine had demonstrated that 'attempts to impose change by force on a sovereign country meets resistance'. 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blasted Mr Albanese over the 'irresponsible' comments in a press conference on Wednesday. 

He said: 'We have also stressed many times that Taiwan is not Ukraine. A parallel cannot be drawn between them. Taiwan is not a sovereign country. We hope relevant politicians will stop making irresponsible remarks.'

The Global Times is also running an article claiming that Chinese investors are turning away from Australia in face of increased security checks.

A representative of a major listed Chinese firm in Australia told the publication: 'For Chinese companies going overseas, there are many options to choose other than putting all eggs in one basket with Australia.'

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blasted Mr Albanese for making 'irresponsible' comments in a press conference on Wednesday

At the NATO summit in Madrid on Wednesday, Mr Albanese told leaders that China aimed to become the 'most powerful nation in the world', adding a strengthening of relations between Beijing and Moscow posed a risk to all democratic nations.

'Just as Russia seeks to recreate a Russian or Soviet empire, the Chinese government is seeking friends, whether it be... through economic support to build up alliances to undermine what has historically been the Western alliance in places like the Indo-Pacific,' he said.

Mr Albanese said Australia had been subjected to 'economic coercion' by China and urged democratic leaders to pursue trade diversification.

Mr Zhao said NATO - a group of 30 nations - should stop 'trying to launch a new Cold War'.

'Stop trying to mess up Asia and the world after messing up Europe,' he said.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (right) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese whose late father was Italian

'What they should do is give up their Cold War mindset, zero-sum games and stop doing things that create enemies.'

Mr Albanese met with the leaders of New Zealand, Japan and South Korea on the sidelines of the NATO summit as part of the 'Asia-Pacific Four' grouping, which was invited to participate for the first time.

'NATO has sent a strong message by including Asia-Pacific leaders in discussions at this forum,' Mr Albanese said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pointed to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia had shaken the foundation of rules-based global order.

'The security of Europe and the security of the Indo-Pacific cannot be decoupled,' he said in opening remarks.

Mr Albanese concurred saying 'it is clear that (Russian) President Putin's barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine has consequences far beyond Europe's borders'.