“I know some people will see everything I do through the lens of my birthplace, but I hope that they will see more than just the first Chinese woman elected to parliament. I hope they will see me as a strong advocate for everyone in Chisholm.”

The association was an arm of the Chinese government’s central political and administrative body, and has since been merged with the Communist Party’s propaganda arm, the United Front Work Department.

Asked several times whether she believed China’s actions there amounted to theft and were unlawful, Liu said it was “a matter for the foreign minister”.

“I definitely put – I would put Australia’s interests first, and that’s exactly what I have been doing,” she said.

“My understanding is a lot of countries is trying to claim ownership sovereignty of the South China Sea because of various reasons, and my position is with the Australian government.”

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Defending the interview on Wednesday, Liu said she was a new member of parliament and would be “learning from this experience”.

“Australia’s long-standing position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear,” Liu said. “We do not take sides on competing territorial claims but we call on all claimants to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.

“Our relationship with China is one of mutual benefit and underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. China is not a democracy and is run under an authoritarian system. We have always been and will continue to be clear-eyed about our political differences, but do so based on mutual respect, as two sovereign nations.”

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In an attempt to clarify her membership of various Chinese organisations, Liu said she had been honorary president of the United Chinese Commerce Association of Australia, honorary president of the Australian Jiangmen General Commercial Association in 2016, and an honorary member of the Guangdong Overseas Exchange Association in 2011.

She said she no longer had links with the organisation, and pointed to similar links held by Jennifer Yang, the candidate preselected by Labor to run against her in Chisholm.

“I have resigned from many organisations and I am in the process of auditing any organisations who may have added me as a member without my knowledge or consent,” Liu said.

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“Unfortunately some Chinese associations appoint people to honorary positions without their knowledge or permission. I do not wish my name to be used in any of these associations and I ask them to stop using my name.”

Penny Wong, the party’s shadow foreign minister, said Liu’s suitability as an MP was now a “test for Scott Morrison”.

“There have been questions raised for some time about whether Ms Liu is a fit and proper person to be in the Australian parliament,” Wong said.

“This is a test for Scott Morrison. He needs to come to the parliament, make a statement and assure the Australian parliament and through them the Australian people that Gladys Liu is a fit and proper person to be in the Australian parliament.

“I can recall the Liberal Party making Sam Dastyari a test of Bill Shorten’s leadership; well, this is Scott Morrison’s test.”

Dastyari also weighed into the controversy, saying it was clear Liu needed to answer “some serious questions”.

“Her statement is shocking,” the former NSW senator said on Twitter. “She should be held to the same standard that I was – a standard the PM set. I resigned. I took responsibility. That was the right decision in my circumstances.”