Shi Yuqi  Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Aiming for a record-extending 14th title and a fourth consecutive championship win after triumphs in 2019, 2021 and 2023, China's badminton team has unveiled its 20-player roster for the 2025 Sudirman Cup.

The tournament, widely considered the pinnacle of mixed team badminton, will take place from April 27 to May 4 at the Phoenix Sports Hall in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province. Since its inception in 1989, the biennial event, alongside the Thomas and Uber Cups, has formed badminton's holy trinity of international team competitions. China has dominated the Sudirman Cup's history, lifting the trophy 13 times.

Headlining the singles roster are Shi Yuqi and Wang Zhiyi, the top-ranked players in men's and women's singles respectively. Shi has been in resurgent form since returning to competition in November 2024. He captured the title at the Malaysia Open in January, followed by a long-awaited victory at the All England Open in March - his first in seven years - solidifying his position as world No.1. On the women's side, Olympic champion Chen Yufei, who made her international return earlier in 2025, will also be part of the team alongside Wang.

Notably absent from the singles lineup are Lu Guangzu and He Bingjiao. Their spots have gone to rising stars such as men's world No.11 Weng Hongyang and women's world No.3 Han Yue, signaling a generational shift.

"This year's squad blends experience with youth, which serves not just our title hopes but also long-term development," Beijing-based sports commentator Wang Dazhao told the Global Times on Tuesday. "Major tournaments like the Sudirman Cup provide a best training ground for young players as we prepare for future challenges, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

In the doubles arena, fan-favorite pair Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang will lead the men's charge, while women's doubles will be anchored by the duo Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, who recently clinched gold at the Paris Olympics. Silver medalists Tan Ning and Liu Shengshu, the current world No.1 women's pair, will also feature prominently. The duo has been on a hot streak since their rise to the top in October 2024, winning back-to-back titles in Japan and China.

The mixed doubles lineup includes Jiang Zhenbang, Wei Yaxin, Feng Yanzhe, Huang Dongping and Guo Xinwa, all capable of contributing vital points.

One surprise omission is the men's doubles pair Ren Xiangyu and He Jiting. It remains unclear why they were not selected to join the national team's squad for the Surdiman Cup event. Speculations have been rampant after He's girlfriend claimed on social media that he was involved in alleged gambling activities.

The two are also not included in the Chinese lineup at the ongoing Asia Championships, being held in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province.

According to information released on the Chinese Badminton Association's official WeChat account, the association held a meeting on Monday during which Vice President Xia ­Xuanze underscored the importance of maintaining discipline and integrity throughout 2025's competitions. Xia reiterated the association's zero-tolerance stance on gambling and match-fixing, calling such conduct a "tumor" in the sports industry and vowing to crack down on any violations.

Zhang Jun, president of the Chinese Badminton Association, also called for stricter management and education within national teams. He further urged efforts to curb the negative influence of toxic fan culture. 

"Adjustments are necessary to uphold the team's image, and being a good athlete comes after being a good person. The toxic side of fan culture should also be firmly rejected," Luo Le, a sports scholar at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, told the Global Times.

Wang, the commentator, stressed that while major tournaments rarely see scandals in China's leading sports, maintaining player conduct and character in everyday training and minor events is equally vital. 

Looking ahead at the 2025 Sudirman Cup, China will face Thailand, Algeria and China's Hong Kong in the group stage. However, despite their championship pedigree, Wang noted that the road ahead will be anything but easy. South Korea - home to women's world No.1 and four-time Sudirman Cup champion An Se-young - poses a significant threat. Denmark, one of Europe's top teams, also boasts strength in men's events, while perennial powerhouses Indonesia and Japan remain formidable.

"Challenges are certainly there, but if the Chinese team can emerge victorious this time, it will be more significant than ever," Wang added.  

Before the Sudirman Cup, China's badminton team is fielding a full-strength squad at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province from Tuesday to April 13. At 2024's edition, the Chinese team walked away with three titles and three runner-up finishes.