Chinese mixed doubles players Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin (left) compete in the mixed doubles match against Team Algeria at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, on April 27, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the organizers.

 
The Chinese national badminton team started its Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Badminton Championships on Sunday, with a squad featuring veterans and promising newcomers who aim for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title and a record 14th overall championship.

Starting their campaign for the title on Sunday, the Chinese national team, with squad adjustments after the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, defeated Team Algeria with a convincing 5-0 at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium in East China's Fujian Province.

The tournament, the first major world team badminton event in the buildup to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is considered an opportunity for China to test its squad.

Mixed squad 
In the history of the Sudirman Cup, only China, South Korea, and Indonesia have claimed the coveted title, with China's dominance in the sport having been witnessed by 13 victories. After achieving a three-peak success in Suzhou in 2023, the Chinese team is eager to extend their winning streak. 

Female singles ace Chen Yufei and doubles veteran Chen Qingchen took temporary breaks from the court, while men's world No.1 Shi Yuqi has been recovering from a knee injury, and the mixed-doubles pairings of Huang Dongping and Feng Yanzhe, and Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin have been reconfigured. 

The ability of both veterans and rookies to quickly find their rhythm in the group stage will be crucial to China's title-defense bid in Xiamen.

Facing such a tough competition, the Chinese players remain resolute. 

"The atmosphere of a team event is quite different from that of an individual event," men's singles ace Shi told reporters. "Playing at home, with teammates cheering from the sidelines, and the audience supporting us, it will definitely boost our performance on the court."

Among the doubles pairs, the young mixed-doubles duo Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, who are making their Sudirman Cup debut, are full of anticipation. 

"I hope to show my best in the tournament and contribute points to the team," Wei said, before Jiang adding that he is looking forward to contributing to the team on the stage.

Jiang Zhenbang hits a return in the mixed doubles match against Team Algeria at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, on April 27, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the organizers.

 
Men's doubles mainstays Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, who are also online sensations for their active personalities, are focused on managing their energy properly through the enduring campaign.

"We want to play in every match, but we also need to manage our energy properly," Liang said, noting his form is on the rise thanks to the playing test in the Asian Championships earlier in April.

Huang Dongping and Feng Yanzhe, another mixed-doubles pair, have their eyes on the prize.  

"Every Sudirman Cup is a unique experience; and this time, I'll approach the competition with even more rigor," Huang said. 

Women's doubles world No.1 pair, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, is aware of the pressure and responsibility.

"We want to let go of the pressure and show the power of youth," said Tan. Having won the Asian Championships, the two are more confident than ever and are looking forward to delivering their best performance with support from the home crowd.

Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, making their Sudirman Cup debut, are excited about a home-court advantage. 

"I can't wait to feel the overwhelming support from the audience," said Chen Boyang. "We're ready to shoulder our responsibilities bravely."

Global player
Newly elected Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul from Thailand also shared her vision for China's role in global badminton. 

"I would always like for China to join together with the BWF to participate in the development of badminton for all communities all over the world," she told the Global Times at Sunday's press conference. "What China has done is very impressive and successful."

Recognizing China's remarkable success in sports development, the president expressed her eagerness to learn from China's strategies, not just in badminton but also across various sports. 

"China has become very keen and successful at almost all sports. We will try to find a strategy plan together and strictly work on it," she emphasized, highlighting the potential for collaborative efforts to elevate badminton globally.

Thomas Lund, secretary-general of BWF, also praised China's role in developing the sport. 

"One of the amazing things that have happened in recent years is that we have some amazing big events in different cities around China," Lund noted. 

Multiple badminton major events have been held in recent years in China, highlighted by the annual BWF World Tour Finals since 2023, in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province; the 2023 Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province; and the 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Lund also lauded the Chinese national team for its consistent representation of top-level global performance. 

"What we've seen in recent years is actually the Chinese players becoming international household names more and more, not only in Chinese homes, but also in homes around the world," Lund said. 

He also emphasized the significance of Chinese players continuing to showcase their talents on the global stage.

"I think one of the most important things that the Chinese team overall can do is to come out and show the world how fantastic Chinese players are. Having these global stars become truly global is really the future of the sport."