China has sent a strong message to the rowing world that it will be a force at the Beijing Olympics. Chinese crews won five of the 14 finals, including four of the six women's boat classes, in a World Cup regatta at Lake Rotsee, Switzerland.

Women's pair Wu You and Gao Yulan of China followed a World Cup win in Munich, Germany, last month with a four-second margin over the two US crews. World champions Li Qin and Tian Liang won the women's double sculls, while the Chinese women's quadruple sculls crew surged over the final quarter of the 2,000-meter course to leave the US and Great Britain trailing.

China's only men's win came in the lightweight fours, holding off Denmark and France.

(Shanghai Daily June 3, 2008)