China has taken a swipe at Australia over its involvement in the proposed United States national missile defence system, accusing it of being a "cat's paw" for the US.

Canberra's commitment to the $A100 billion system would hurt Australia and probably "send global arms control out of control", China's state media has warned.

"The Australian Government should take a lesson from the past and not act as a cat's paw anymore," said a commentary in the People's Daily, the official organ of the ruling Communist Party.

China, which has been vitriolic in its opposition to the defence plan, said the recent visit by the US Defence Secretary, Mr William Cohen, had exposed Australia's dependence on its powerful ally.

"Australia is poised to adjust its defence strategy and counts on other countries to offer it advanced weapons and military technology," the paper said.

An agreement between Australia and the US to further military co-operation gave Australia special consideration in military technology transfers, it said.

Warning that there was no such thing as a free lunch, it accused Australia and the US of making an under-the-table deal, citing as evidence Mr Cohen's favourable remarks on Australia's future involvement in the defence system.

While saying Australia had not responded to the US initiative, the article said the Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, had "expressed his understanding" of the system and indicated likely support.

It also pointed to the criticism at home and abroad of Australia's apparent compliance with US wishes.

"Australia has suffered previous losses from jumping on the bandwagon of the United States and Britain during several world-scale wars," the commentary said.

The paper referred to domestic opposition to Australia's involvement in the defence system, including editorials in both the Herald and The Age. It also discussed ALP opposition to participation in a project that would jeopardise nuclear disarmament, and included remarks by the former prime minister Mr Malcolm Fraser.

China and Russia signed a joint statement last week condemning the proposed missile defence system, during a tour of China, North Korea and Japan by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

The statement accused the US of attempting to secure unilateral superiority in military and security issues.

Mr Downer said at the weekend that China and Russia were unlikely to be concerned if an Australian base was used for testing the proposed missile system.

The Pine Gap defence facility near Alice Springs would be used in a limited way as part of the system to convey early warnings to the US of any missile attacks, he said.

Australia's participation is the system would be in line with its long-term defence alliance with the US.

The Nurrungar tracking station in South Australia has played a similar early warning role for the past 30 years.

The proposed system was discussed last week in talks between Mr Cohen, the Prime Minister, Mr Downer and the Minister for Defence, Mr Moore.