China warns Australia over stoking 'new Cold War'

China has hit out Australia's new security agreement with Japan.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has warned the deal has upset the positive trend in Australia's relationship with China and that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should avoid starting a new "Cold War group".

"The Asia-Pacific region does not need military blocs, still less groupings that could provoke bloc confrontation or stoke a new Cold War," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

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"People in the region will be on heightened alert and stand against any act that undermines regional peace and stability and hurts regional solidarity and cooperation."

Last Saturday, Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed a joint declaration on security cooperation during their meeting in Perth.

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"Our commitment to consult each other on contingencies is a natural step in our efforts to support the security and stability of our region," Albanese said.

"It shows the responsibility we share for security in our region and towards one another."

The declaration renews a 2007 commitment to closer defence and security cooperation.

"Our affinity is in our common desire for a peaceful, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific," Albanese said.

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