China teenager Zhang Ziyu was the star but an experimental Australian Opals side led by Steph Reid hung on for a tense 76-74 win in their Melbourne exhibition series opener.
Reid, who is eyeing a spot at the Women's World Cup, top-scored with 16 points and added five assists for the home team at John Cain Arena on Tuesday night.
Zitina Aokuso (15 points), Alex Fowler (12) and Isabelle Bourne (12) also impressed as the Opals took control of the contest in a dominant third quarter.
A late China fightback, led by 220cm centre Zhang (28 points), cut the margin to just two points with 1:01 left on the clock.
But the 19-year-old let the next pass slip through her fingers and Reid drained a pair of free-throws with 17.3 seconds left to make it a two-score game, all but ending the contest.
Teen star Zhang was a formidable physical presence on the floor alongside China's experienced guard Wang Siyu.
Wang added 14 points and five assists in a strong display in the city she will call home in the WNBL season after signing with the Southside Flyers.
Zhang drained 17 first-half points but was held scoreless in the third period, which Australia won 15-4, before adding another 11 in the last as China threatened to pull off a comeback.
"We knew she was going to be a problem," Reid said.
"She's seven-foot-three and you've got to be physical, but we've just got to eliminate everyone else.
"She's going to score but we did a better job in the second half tightening up on the other players and that's probably what got us the win in the end."
Australian debutants Sitaya Fagan (four points) and Bonnie Deas (two) showed glimpses of their potential in their maiden Opals appearances.
The teams meet again in Melbourne on Thursday, both with an eye towards the World Cup in September.
"Every game's important and everything creates momentum for the World Cup," Reid said.
"Even if girls are away overseas or here, it matters. We play every game to win and especially on home soil."
After giving birth to her first child in December, Darcee Garbin celebrated her Opals return with an early bucket as Reid shone with 10 first-quarter points.
Fagan scored her first points when she drove past Jia Saiqi for a lay-up, but it was China who led 21-18 at the end of the first period.
Jia was called for an unsporting foul when she flattened Ally Wilson, and Isabelle Bourne knocked down a pair of important triples after the Opals had struggled early from long range.
Bourne's contribution helped put the home team up 46-42 at the main break despite Zhang's strong first half.
The Opals edged clear in the third quarter before Zhang and Wang dragged China back into the contest, but Reid's cool hand settled it in the dying stages.
Australia will face Puerto Rico, Turkey and Belgium in Group C at the World Cup, which starts on September 4.