Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has used a speech in Washington DC to dispute fears that competing claims in the South China Sea will spark a conflict in Asia.

Ms Bishop told the Centre for a New American Security that Australia was taking a "clear-eyed" view of developments in Asia and the South China Sea.

"To understand Asia today, we need to have an understanding of its past," she said.

"History, and how it is recorded, is a powerful influence on how countries behave towards each other."

She noted China, India and Russia's investment in their navies, with military spending in southern, eastern and northern Asia rising almost 75 per cent in real terms between 2004 and 2014, but said it was wrong to assume the Asian region was headed for an inevitable conflict.

"It's not just about buying bigger bombs or smarter delivery systems," Ms Bishop said.

"Much of what we're seeing is a professionalisation of national defence and vastly improved capacity for different military forces to communicate.

"I believe that is as much a function of economic growth as it is about strategic hedging.

"Economic integration is a powerful buffer against conflict."

In comments echoing the Prime Minister on his recent visit, she also urged the US Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.

"The Australian Government urges Congress to look favourably on ratifying this agreement," Ms Bishop said.

"Indeed, a successful TPP will be crucial to establishing a prosperous Indo-Pacific economic order into the future."