China has defended its controversial Olympic torch relay security guards, after Australia and Japan said they were not welcome when the flame passed through their countries.

"The escorts are volunteers, they are not law enforcement personnel. Their duty is to maintain the safety, purity and dignity of the Olympic Games," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.

"We hope the relevant countries can fully understand this point and cooperate with us."

The security escorts who have been seen shadowing the flame around the world are from China's People's Armed Police, a spin-off from the military that is used for internal security and suppressing unrest.

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They are coming under fire for occasionally brusquely pushing aside demonstrators, who have used some legs of the torch relay to protest China's human rights record and its rule in Tibet.

London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe was overheard as describing them as "thugs" when the torch came to the British capital.

Japan's security minister said on Friday that he was opposed to letting China send its security guards to protect the Olympic torch, which comes to the central mountain city of Nagano on April 26.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also reiterated that the Chinese would have no security role in Canberra.

"This has been made clear to the Chinese authorities. Under no circumstances, no matter what occurs, will they be called upon to perform a security function," he said.

But Ms Jiang said the security measures were in accordance with the general practices of the Olympic Games and recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

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