In July, after the decision against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea in The Hague, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop condemned China's stance by warning them of reputational damage if it did not abide by the ruling.

Wong hits out at Bishop

Mr Wong then hit out at Ms Bishop and in effect echoed the Chinese government line by saying Australia should not interfere.

"The Australian Foreign Minister's statements are very outdated," Mr Wong told Chinese media.

"The South China Sea disputes should be resolved by peaceful means by neighbouring countries directly affected, and there should not be external interference by other countries."

Mr Wong confirmed he made the comments and responded via a statement on Friday. "In regards to South China Sea, I support our Labor stance, and I believe Australian stance will be inclined to peaceful resolution between the stakeholders of any territory dispute rather than as my true belief seeing ourselves engage in any military conflict," he said.

Labor's position is that Australia should oppose China's stance and authorise the navy and airforce to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea.

Back in 2014, when former Prime Minister Tony Abbott Abbott described the "skill and honour" of Japanese submariners who attacked Sydney Harbour in 1942, Senator Dastyari and Mr Wong conducted a joint press conference to condemn the comments.


Mr Wong is an "honorary advisor" for the Beijing-linked Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, of which Yuhu Group's Huang Xiangmo is the president. He confirmed he has not declared the position on the NSW register of pecuniary interests.

"I have been invited to be their honorary adviser of which I have accepted as many of the honorary invitations I have received throughout the years to fulfil my duty for any community events I may be requested to help. There is no pecuniary interest in this at all. As I am not paid by, nor paying to, the organisation there is no legal obligation for me to declare," Mr Wong said in a statement.

"Cash for comment"

On Friday, in comments Senator Dastyari has slammed as "disgraceful", "offensive" and of "no truth whatsoever", Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Shorten had to answer whether the Labor Party's foreign policy was for sale and whether the senator had engaged in "cash for comment".

"Bill Shorten and Sam Dastyari have to explain Sam Dastyari's receipt of money from that company and the extraordinary remarks and statements he has made on foreign policy which are, I repeat, utterly at odds with the foreign policy of the Australian government, supported by the Opposition," Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Wong has helped promote a major cultural festival organised by the Chinese government through the Chinese consulate in Sydney and the Chinese Overseas Chinese Affairs Office.

He has also taken trips to China to meet with the Guangdong office of the Chinese Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and put forward a number of motions in NSW parliament favourable to China.

Patrons of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China include Bob Carr, Philip Ruddock, Chris Bowen, Senator Dastyari and Barry O'Farrell, according to its website.