China risking civilian flights: Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has warned China any militarisation of disputed South China Sea islands puts civilian aircraft at risk.

"If there are surface-to-air missiles in an area where commercial aircraft fly, then there is a risk of miscalculation," Ms Bishop told ABC television on Sunday.

Ms Bishop's visit to China last week followed Australia's calls for all claimants to the disputed region to resolve the issue peacefully as tensions escalate between China and Japan.