The US, favourites for the tournament, won their first two games of Group A, but were pushed harder on this occasion as China, themselves unbeaten before the contest, put up some stiff resistance.
Li Meng was the pick of the players on the day, netting 21 points, but contributions from Aja Wilson and Chelsea Gray saw USA run out 77-63 winners.
Although the difference was bigger at the half, China rallied in the third quarter only for the US to keep up their perfect record late on.
In the day's other two games, South Korea nearly hit the century mark with a 99-66 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Kang Lee-Seul was the star of the encounter, notching up 37 points with eight rebounds and five assists to help her side to their first win of the competition.
After their opening round defeat to USA, Belgium have now won two games straight, this time with a tight victory over Puerto Rico. In a topsy-turvy encounter, Arelia Guirantes top scored with 27 points, but that was not enough to see her side to the win. Belgium had Kyara Linskens to thank for their win, as she netted 24 points to see them home to a 68-65 victory.
On Monday, Mali take on France, hosts Australia take on Serbia and Japan face off against Canada. The Canadians are the only team unbeaten in Group B.
