Beijing is unimpressed with the US ambassador's warning about Chinese monetary donations to Australian politicians and candidates.

The outgoing US ambassador to Australia John Berry backs reforms to outlaw foreign donations as America does.

"We noted that some people always love to give lectures like a preacher about the domestic rules and laws and foreign policies of other countries," a Chinese embassy spokesman told The Australian newspaper.

"We would like to reiterate that the Chinese government has always opposed any country's interference in the internal affairs of other countries."

The spokesman said China had never and would not use money to influence other countries' internal affairs.

Mr Berry's warning followed Labor senator Sam Dastyari's resignation from the opposition frontbench following revelations he asked a Chinese businessman to pay a bill when he exceeded his parliamentary entitlement for travel.

It sparked accusations he'd been compromised, as reports emerged he had taken a pro-China stance on the South China Sea dispute, at odds with his party's position on the matter.