Team China aim to top Asiad gold tally, says chef de mission

INCHEON, South Korea - Liu Peng, chef de mission of the Chinese delegation for Incheon Asian Games, said on Thursday that China have set a target to top the medal table and overall tally.

"We've been leading both medal and gold medal tables at the nine straight Asian Games," said Liu at a flag-raising ceremony held at the athletes' village. "We certainly want to keep winning this time."

With more than 1,300 athletes and officials, including 33 Olympic champions, Team China will participate in all but one of the 36 sports at the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 Games.

"The Asian Games are not only a competition, but also a platform for countries and regions from all over the continent, to communicate, cooperate, exchange opinions and understand each other better," he said.

"Therefore, we expect more than titles, medals and No. 1 position from our athletes. We hope they will show fighting spirit and sportsmanship at the Games".

At the last Asiad in Guangzhou four years ago, China collected 199 gold medals among 416 medals while South Korea took 232 medals and Japan 216.

Liu expects better performance from Chinese teams in soccer, basketball and volleyball, known as "three big ball games" in China, saying these games "carry special significance".

"It's an uphill battle for our three 'big ball' teams in Incheon," he said. "I hope they see it as a test as well as a chance to learn."