Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended his decision to attend a Lunar New Year function hosted by the Chinese Communist Party’s top Australian lobbyists and propagandists.

Mr Abbott, along with NSW MPs John Sidoti and Mark Coure, were among VIP guests at the event at which members of Beijing’s highest ranking United Front affiliates in Australia also attended.

Today he hit back at those criticizing his attendance saying, "I'm the last person who anyone would accuse of being a patsy for the Chinese government".

Mr Abbott, who is facing a number of challenges for his seat of Warringah, said he did not know the Chinese Communist Party’s lobbyists were present at the function until he was informed by the media yesterday.

"I went to what I thought was a Lunar New Year dinner...because that's what local members do.

0:00 Olympian Zali Steggall campaigns on climate change in bid to win Tony Abbott's seat 00:00 / 00:00 Share Share on Twitter

Share on Facebook

"When there are large groups of people, many of whom are your constituents, you are inclined to turn up."

At the Lunar New Year function, Mr Abbott used his address to express his "very serious concerns" about the Chinese government.

"I warned against the militarization of the South China Sea. I warned against the dangerously illiberal trends which we are now seeing inside China and I warned against changes such as bringing presidency for life."

He said he represented "a strong voice for democratic freedoms".