The under-strength Boomers side, which featured just three members of the team that competed in last year's World Championships, struggled against their more experienced opponents at times but held off a late comeback to earn the win.
China trailed by seven points with just two minutes left in regulation time, but tied the score with 23 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime after Daniel Kickert missed his attempted game-winner as time expired.
But it mattered little as China's Shipeng Wang's three-point attempt to win the game at the end of overtime bounced off the rim and Australia held on.
In an experimental line-up from Australian coach Brett Brown, which was missing the likes of Andrew Bogut and Patrick Mills, it was some of his more experienced players who led the Boomers to victory.
Perth Wildcats guard Damian Martin impressed in front of his home fans, helping Australia to victory with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Melbourne Tigers centre Luke Nevill (20 points and 13 rebounds) also played well as the Boomers warmed up for September's qualifying series for the London Olympics against New Zealand.
Wang's outside shooting proved a major thorn in Australia's side, hitting four three-pointers on his way to 22 points for a China team which was without NBA stars Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
Australia was impressive early and jumped out to a five-point quarter-time lead, but China, which is ranked 10th in the world, just one place behind the Boomers, lifted its game late in the second to cut a nine-point deficit to just one at the half.
China carried its momentum into the start of the third quarter to extend its advantage to six early in the period.
But the hosts fought back with 17 of the first 23 points in the final quarter and appeared to be on course for a comfortable win before China's miraculous comeback sent the game to an overtime period where Australia narrowly held on.
Game two of the series is in Singapore on Sunday.
- AAP
Tags: sport, basketball, australia, wa, perth-6000, china
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