Classy China off to flying start

China's young guns announced themselves on the global stage with a hard-fought 70-55 victory over Cote d'Ivoire on Saturday as the host got its FIBA World Cup campaign off to a flying start.

The energy was high, the crowd was loud and the hustle was at times brutal at a packed Wukesong Arena in Beijing - all making for an electric atmosphere reminiscent of the 2008 Olympics at the same venue.

Led by star trio Guo Ailun, Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi, China snapped a 14-game losing streak at the tournament and the Olympics that stretched back over nine years. China's last major international win was over the same opponent at the 2010 world championships (the Cup's predecessor) in Turkey.