On Thursday, Australia raised concerns about the "pace and scale" of China's activities in the disputed zone - part of a wide-ranging document setting out Canberra's foreign engagement strategy.
Beijing said the paper was generally positive towards China, but Australia should not get involved in the dispute.
The Australian government played down the criticism on Friday.
In a briefing on Thursday, China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang noted that Australia had repeatedly pledged not to take sides over the South China Sea.
