Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday that China has been a good friend to Australia and Australia takes no sides in the South China Sea issue.

"China is a very good friend of Australia and it's a friendship which is getting stronger all the time," Abbott said when answering questions about the South China Sea issue.

He said Australia's position on the issue has been very clear and the country takes no sides in many territorial issues in the region.

"We deplore any unilateral alteration of the status quo. We believe that disputes should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law and we do what we can to uphold freedom of navigation on the sea and in the air."

Abbott stressed that this has long been Australia's position and "it will continue to be our position."