"The thing that delighted me most is that Wang is willing to learn new techniques and tactics even though he's been on top of the Tour for a very long time. As long as he plays with great motivation, he can make a splash at a big event."

The 30-year-old Wang Nan has also made something of a comeback. The former world champion brushed off a slow 2007 to win the World Cup at the end of the year.

"She is in great shape right now," said women's coach Shi Zhihao. "She is very active in Guangzhou. I think she is a hot favorite for the Olympic Games."

China has brought its strongest-ever lineup to the World Team Championships this time. The top four men in the world - Wang Hao, Ma Lin, Wang Liqin, Ma Long as well as No 7 Chen Qi - are all there and the women's side features world top-five players Guo Yue, Zhang Yining, Wang Nan, Guo Yan and Li Xiaoxia.

To better prepare for this final tune-up for Beijing, the men's and women's squads had a 35-day training camp in Xiamen and Zhengding, respectively.

"The runner-up finish is not our goal at the Worlds," said Liu Guoliang. "Everybody is fighting very hard, there is no excuse for us not to defend our title in Guangzhou."

Switching citizenship

But the spirit in Guangzhou is not all positive, as the world table tennis chief pushes a proposal to limit the number of players who can switch their citizenship. It will be voted on today by the ITTF board.

"I don't know exactly how many associations are in favor of the proposal and how many are against. It depends on what each association thinks about it," Adham Sharara, president of the ITTF, said at a press conference.

"If they only think about their own benefits, maybe some of them will vote it down. But if they think what's the best for the sport or for the ITTF, then I believe they will be supportive," he added.

China's table tennis boss, who has long worried about Chinese-born paddlers playing all over the world and representing other countries or regions, has frequently voiced his support for the Swiss association's proposal.

If the proposal passes with a simple majority at the board of directors' meeting, the ITTF will ban players 21 and older from changing allegiances in order to play in the World Cup and World Championships.

According to the proposal, if a player aged 15-17 switches citizenship, he or she must wait three years before representing the adopted countries or regions. The requirement extends to five years for 18-20 years old.