Chinese short track speed skaters Wu Dajing (No.48) and Sun Long (No.75) compete in the men's 5,000 meters relay semifinal on February 11. Photo: Li Hao/Global Times

The Chinese men's short track relay team Friday night advanced to the 5,000-meter relay final at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, which is scheduled on February 16. The team is composed of Wu Dajing, Ren Ziwei, Li Wenlong and Sun Long, who raced in the first 5,000-meter relay semifinal with Canada, Italy and Japan.

Li Wenlong fell down and ­Chinese team completed the run in 6 minutes and 51 seconds, placing fourth. The judges determined Li accidentally stumbled after they reviewed the video. 

Li's skate blade collided with a Canadian athlete's and fell down. Li took over his relay baton to his teammate Ren Ziwei after falling down, and Ren tried his best to catch up. The judges determined that the Chinese team advanced to Final A, along with Canada and Italy, according to current international rules.

Their performance won Chinese netizens' applause and the topic also became a hot trend on social media on Friday night. Many netizens said that they were moved by the spirit of "never giving up of Chinese team."

Three Chinese skaters also entered the men's 500-meter short-track speed skating quarterfinals. China's Wu competed as the group first to advance to the next round. Ren and Sun also reached the quarterfinals.

Defending Olympic champion Suzanne Schulting of the Netherlands clinched the women's 1,000 meters title in one minute and 28.391 seconds on Friday. 

Chinese Olympic champion Qu Chunyu and her teammates Han Yutong and Zhang Chutong failed to advance.