The defending Olympic champions easily rolled past their group B opponents in a lop-sided game, but conceded their first goal of the tournament.
The Americans speeded to a 7-0 lead over China before Xiuqing Yang broke the Americans' 96-minute shutout streak.
"We just wanted to come out and play our game - play hard
and pass the puck well"
US women's team
The gold medallists at Nagano then scored five more goals to leave them atop Group B with four points from two games, while China remain winless.
Katie King had a pair of goals and two assists in the game.
"We just wanted to come out and play our game - play hard and pass the puck well," said American forward Laurie Baker, who also scored two goals.
In the day's other Group B game, Finland stays unbeaten in the tournament after a 3-1 win over Germany.
Katja Riipi scored a goal and an assist to pace the Finns.
In the men's ice hockey, Switzerland beat Austria 4-1 in the 11th-place game play-off.