The star-studded Chinese men's team foiled Hong Kong, China's efforts to proceed forward after prevailing 3-0 at the world table tennis championships semifinals in Guangzhou on Saturday.

Defending champion China, deemed as the most powerful squad, hardly came across any block as it eased past all rivals in the week-long tournament.

Trailing 0-2 on set, 11th-ranked veteran Li Jing came back strongly but lost to a composed Ma Lin 17-19.

Tang Peng, the handshake looping hitter, built up little challenge to a all-round Wang Liqin who made a comfortable 3-0 win.

Tang has said that Hong Kong paddlers don't want to play with China as all of them are world champions.

World No.2 Wang Hao wrapped up China's victory, blanking Cheung Yuk 3-0.

Hong Kong, bronze winner of the Bremen tournament, reached semifinals after trouncing Romania 3-1. It secured the berth for quarterfinals through hard battle against Belarus.

China will clash with the winner between Japan and South Korea for the championship title on Sunday evening.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2008)