The website of the Melbourne International Film Festival is back to normal after hackers posted a Chinese national flag on the site in protest against the planned appearance of Rebiya Kadeer.

The attack came after four films produced by the Chinese mainland pulled out of the event in protest over the documentary about Rebiya Kadeer, who the Chinese government believes was behind the deadly ethnic riot in Urumqi on July 5.

Earlier this month Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang criticized the screening and Kadeer's planned appearance, saying: "Everyone knows the kind of person Rebiya is. We are firmly opposed to any foreign country providing her with a stage for her anti-China separatist activities."