Former prime minister Tony Abbott has revealed an increase in air and naval patrols in the disputed South China Sea, and taken a swipe at Beijing for not sharing the same "values" as Australia.

Key points: Tony Abbott gives speech in Tokyo, contrasting Australia's relationships with Japan and China

Tony Abbott gives speech in Tokyo, contrasting Australia's relationships with Japan and China Says Japan and Australia share values, while China does not

Says Japan and Australia share values, while China does not Reveals Australia has increased air and naval patrols in South China Sea

The South China Sea region is contested by a number of nations, including China, which has built artificial islands and is increasing its military build-up in the area.

Speaking in Japan's capital Tokyo overnight, Mr Abbott said China's activities were threatening the stability and security of the region.

"Over the past 18 months, Australia has quietly increased our own air and naval patrols in the South China Sea," he said.

"We should be prepared to exercise our rights to freedom of navigation wherever international law permits because this is not something that the United States should have to police on its own.

"Australia does not take sides in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and elsewhere. But we do insist that they be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.

"Countries which turn reefs into artificial islands at massive environmental cost, fortify disputed territory and try to restrict freedom of navigation are putting at risk the stability and security on which depends the prosperity of our region and the wider world.

"China should use its strength to guarantee freedom of navigation, not to challenge it."

He said no country has more rights than others.

"We deplore all unilateral alterations to the status quo; and we expect to exercise freedom of navigation in accordance with the well-understood rules," he said.

It is a view shared by Australia's most recent ambassador to Washington, Kim Beazley, who spoke to the ABC's 7:30 program.

Asked whether Australia had conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea recently, Mr Beazley said: "Not to my knowledge and I shouldn't have answered the question in that way."

"I should have said 'Go and talk to the Foreign Minister'."

Mr Beazley also said maritime operations should be carried out routinely in the South China Sea.

"The Chinese react worse when their noses are being rubbed in it, when things are routine, they tend to live with it," he said.

Abbott lashes China over values

Mr Abbott also said Japan and Australia have a "special relationship because it's not based simply on shared interests, but also on shared values".

In contrast, Mr Abbott said while Australia's "economy is more closely tied to China's than to any other, it's still an 'interests' partnership rather than a 'values' one".

"The challenge for all of us is to work to ensure that China better appreciates the rules based international order that's created the stability that's made China's new prosperity possible," he said.

But he said Japan's relationship with Australia showed former foes could become close friends.