Recent online images showing a child defecating in the aisle of an airplane has prompted public criticism of the child's parents and the inaction of the flight crew and other passengers.

A netizen, self-identified as a female pilot, posted four photos on Saturday on micro blog platform Sina Weibo.

A child in a green coat was shown squatting in the aisle. Later a passenger wiped the child's bottom.

The post said a fellow passenger provided the photos. The child should be old enough to have some self respect, even if the parents had no regard for other passengers' reactions, the post said.

The child's behavior was further criticized after the pictures were published in news outlets. Many people responded with shock, saying the parents should have done a better job educating their child.

Some people questioned why passengers and flight crew, and the person shooting the four photos in particular, did not try to stop the child.

Incidents of bad manners in public places have become the source of much public discussion. In early 2012, there was an argument between mainland tourists and Hong Kong residents, after some visitors allowed their children to urinate or defecate in public places, such as subway trains in Hong Kong.