China's badminton might was due on centre stage on Monday night, hot favourites to retain the Sudirman Cup world team title they won in Beijing two years ago for the fifth time.

In a veritable who's who of the sport Lin Dan and Chen Jin, the top two in the world, are joined by number six Bao Chunlai.

The women's fare even better, boasting the top three in the world in the shape of Zhang Ning, Xie Xinfang and Zhu Lin.

Similar strength in depth in the doubles squad spells bad news for Thailand, China's first opponents in the round-robin stage on Monday as well as fellow group members Malaysia and England later in the week.

The Chinese should easily top the group and progress to Saturday's semi-finals to meet the runners-up from the other elite group, comprising Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Denmark.

About 500 players from 48 nations make up the biennial tournament first contested in 1989 when only 28 countries entered.

Played on a divisional basis with promotion and relegation the event gives lesser lights some time on the world stage so fans can a rare glimpse of such as Cyprus and Latvia and Iceland and Turkey down in the lower divisions.

Mongolia, who would have added a colourful extra dimension, were late withdrawals.

At the business end, in next Sunday's final it is hard to see past the Chinese who are already eyeing the world individual championships in August in Kuala Lumpur.

Badminton Scotland's Chief Executive Anne Smillie also has an extra agenda, saying "we are conscious how important the championship is and how important the way in which we stage the event will be to Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games bid."

(China Daily via Reuters June 11, 2007)