Clive Palmer, leader of Australia's Palmer United Party, who described the Chinese government as "mongrels" and "bastards" and accused them of trying to take over Australia on the ABC's Q&A program, on Monday, the 19th August, apologised to China's Ambassador for his televised remarks the following day.

In a letter to China's Ambassador, Ma Zhaoxu, released publicly on August 20, he said "I regret any hurt or anguish such comments may have caused any party and I look forward to greater understanding for peace and co-operation in the future."  He added "I now come to the realisation that what I said on Q&A was an insult to Chinese people everywhere and I wish to assure them they have my most genuine and sincere apology. I am sorry that I said the things I said on the program."