Amid renewed calls for Australia to conduct a freedom of navigation patrol through the South China Sea to challenge Beijing's territorial grab, a British navy captain about to perform his country's first patrol through the contested waters in several years indicated it was a forerunner of more to come.

Despite Beijing already vocally expressing its displeasure at the Royal Navy's move, HMS Sutherland commanding officer Andrew Canale told AFR Weekend he did not anticipate any backlash from China over the forthcoming transit.