Australia and the US have delivered a strong message to China about freedom of navigation near its artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia's committed to international order and that means adhering to freedom of navigation and overflight.
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the US would fly and sail wherever international law permits and will do so at a time and place of its choosing, whether that be in the Arctic or the South China Sea.
There are reports the US could be prepared to test that principle, conducting a naval patrol within 12 nautical miles of one island.
The New York Times said the US hadn't ventured that close to Chinese-occupied islands since 2012.
Tensions in the South China Sea caused by territorial claims were discussed during the AUSMIN talks, attended by US secretary of state John Kerry, Mr Carter, Ms Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne in Boston on Tuesday.
Both the US and Australia affirmed they took no sides on South China Sea territorial disputes and urged peaceful resolution and for all states to refrain from provocative actions.
The communique expressed strong concerns about Chinese islands, calling for a halt to all reclamation activities, construction and militarisation.
Mr Kerry didn't confirm the US planned to patrol near one of the islands.
Neither did Ms Bishop or Senator Payne comment on a media report suggesting Australia could participate.
Ms Bishop said the US was involved in naval patrols in that area all the time.
"And so it's not surprising for the US to exercise its right to travel through this region according to international law and I'm sure they will continue to do so, as Australia and other countries will continue to do so," she told Sky News.
Ms Bishop said Australia welcomed Chinese President Xi's statement that China did not intend to militarise the Spratly Islands.
"And we'll hold China to it," she told reporters in Boston.
Mr Carter said uncertainty and excessive military activity in the South China Sea was having the effect of increasing US maritime co-operation with regional nations which were seeking additional interaction.
That includes Vietnam, India, the Philippines and Japan.
"And we are committed to meeting that demand," he said.
Relations with Australia remained incredibly close and that would be enhanced with additional combined naval training and exercises.
