NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane has resigned as assistant president of the Legislative Council, after coming under fire for repeatedly praising China's response to the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Moselmane tendered his resignation on Monday afternoon, less than a year after he was elected in a secret ballot of NSW upper house MPs in May 2019.

NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane has been heavily criticised for praising China's President Xi Jinping's handling of the coronavirus crisis. Credit:James Alcock

His resignation relates only to the role of assistant president, which will see him forgo $57,525 in additional salary and allowances per year. The position will remain vacant until a replacement is appointed when Parliament sits in September. Mr Moselmane remains a member of the NSW upper house and a member of the Labor Party.

Mr Moselmane resigned from the role following a week of intense criticism over public comments he made over China's handling of the pandemic, which included extolling President Xi Jinping's "unswerving leadership".