Beijing's top military official posted to Australia has claimed freedom of navigation has "never been a problem" in the South China Sea despite the Chinese military aggressively challenging foreign ships and aircraft that pass through disputed waters or airspace.

In rare public comments, China's defence attache Senior Colonel Wang Jingguo said it was a matter for the Australian government to decide whether to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea, notably stopping short of the bellicose tone of Chinese state-owned media that warns Canberra would suffer consequences for interfering.