Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles says a fear of foreigners is "part of the Australian spirit", but has rejected a suggestion that he played down his own Aboriginal heritage for political reasons.

Mr Giles said he thought opposition to his Government's controversial decision to lease out the Darwin Port to Chinese company Landbridge was xenophobic.

"I think there is a high degree of xenophobia, but I think that is part of the Australian spirit," Mr Giles told Lateline.

"We all stand up for what we believe in. We are parochially proud as a nation and whenever new people come in we are always sceptical.

"We went to market, we found a good partner, and we're very happy with the position we have taken."

He said his Government had been more solid and unified behind the decision to lease the port to Landbridge since polling by the US Embassy was leaked that found 89 per cent of people thought the move posed at least some risk.

"We have seen an announcement two days ago of another $25 million going in to expand the capacity of the port," he said.

Asked whether he thought political instability in the Northern Territory had anything to do with racism Mr Giles, who has Aboriginal ancestry, said he always competed on a level playing field with every other Australian.

He also rejected a question as to whether he was backing away from his own heritage for political reasons.

"It has got nothing to do with who I am," Mr Giles said.

"Yes, I have got Indigenous heritage but I compete in politics just like every other person.

"If I am successful in the next election, I am successful as Adam Giles, not as a black Adam Giles."

Mr Giles also said the NT needed to become less reliant on the Federal Government for its revenue.

"We need to be able to increase the amount of turnover that we get from a taxation point of view, particularly through payroll tax and stamp duty so we can continue to deliver services such as roads and schools and hospitals," he said.