China are competing in their 24th edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix and are one of just two teams with Japan to have appeared in all editions of the tournament. Last season, China edged all of their rivals in the preliminary round. But in the Final Six they lost three matches to Brazil, Italy and eventual winners USA and finished fourth.

China have won the World Grand Prix only once - in 2003 - but finished runners-up in 1993, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2013, then placed third in the 1994, 1999 and 2005 editions.

Lang Ping’s second spell as team coach restored their status as an international volleyball powerhouse. She revamped the team and put her faith in young players. China took the silver medal at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Championship after losing to USA in the gold medal match in Milan.

After winning the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup in 2015 in the following year, China will be among the favourites to win the women’s volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. They won Olympic gold medals at Los Angeles 1984 and Athens 2004.