Clive Palmer has apologised to the Chinese ambassador for his televised tirade against the country last week.

“I regret any hurt or anguish such comments may have caused any party and I look forward to greater understanding for peace and cooperation in the future,” he wrote in a letter to China’s ambassador, Ma Zhaoxu.

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The Palmer United Party leader described the Chinese government as mongrels and bastards and accused them of trying to take over Australia in a rant on the ABC’s Q&A program last Monday.

He later insisted the live-to-air comments were directed at a Chinese company he’s fighting in court, not the Chinese government or people.

On Monday he wrote to the ambassador, releasing the letter publicly on Tuesday.

“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,” he wrote.

“I am sorry that I said the things I said on the program.”