Reigning Olympic champions and two-time world champions China are making their 14th appearance at the FIVB World Championship.
China made their World Championship debut in 1966 and, by the 1980s had grown into a world super power, winning the title twice in succession, after beating Peru 3-0 in the 1982 final in Lima and followed by Cuba in the 1986 final in Prague. In the latest edition of the World Championship China found themselves once again in the final, but were beaten 3-1 by the USA in Milan, Italy.
The Olympic title in Rio 2016, coming in a scintillating 3-1 win over Serbia at the Maracanãzinho, was China's third Olympic gold, after triumphing at Los Angeles 1984 and Athens 2004. This tied Cuba's record of three Olympic gold medals. The Chinese team also won silver at the Atlanta 1996 Games and bronze at the Seoul 1988 and Beijing 2008 Games.
China are one of only two teams, along with Japan, to have competed in all 25 editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix, but they only reached the top of the podium once, going undefeated in the 2003 edition. China hosted the inaugural edition of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League this year in Nanjing, but were knocked out of the semi-finals by 3-1 by USA before beating Turkey 3-0 to claim the bronze.