This undated file photo shows Zheng Wei, head coach of Chinese women's basketball team. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - China women's basketball team head coach Zheng Wei says the team will go all out in preparation for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games.

China, who equaled their best record in major competitions by finishing as runners-up at last year's FIBA Women's World Cup, assembled in Qingyuan, in south China's Guangdong province on Friday to gear up for the two continental competitions to be held later this year.

Twelve players reported on Friday, while seven more players have joined China's 3x3 national team preparation. Several other players, either bound for the WNBA or plagued by injuries, will join up with the national team at a later stage.

Zheng said that playing in the WNBA is a dream come true for those players, adding that after playing in a higher level league, they are expected to contribute more to China's national team in the future.

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Yang Liwei (right) of China goes for a lay-up during the quaterfinal match between China and France at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on Sept 29, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

"We had a complete offensive and defensive system last year, but since some new faces have joined us this year, they need to fit into the new system and I will help them better adjust to it," said Zheng, adding that the team aims to develop one to three promising youngsters who will be included in the team's roster for Paris 2024 Olympic preparation.

China women's basketball team head coach Zheng Wei said that playing in the WNBA is a dream come true for players, adding that after playing in a higher level league, they are expected to contribute more to China's national team in the future

Discussing the prospect of competing with strong sides like Australia and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, Zheng said, "We will put in 100 percent effort even though there is only a 1 percent chance for us."

Several players also voiced their excitement and expectation after joining up with the national team.

"Hopefully I can improve my offense, which I focused on during the off-season," said Li Yuan, captain of the training team.

"It's a new challenge for me every time I join up with the national team. There are some new teammates this time, and I hope that we can learn from each other so as to progress together," commented Zhang Ru.

Dilana Dilixiati, who played in the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, said she hopes to learn from her more seasoned teammates in order to gain more experience.

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"It seems that we will encounter challenges with new faces joining us, but I believe that with the help of the coaching group, we will soon blend in as a team," said Dilana.

This stage of training is scheduled to last until late May, before the team departs for Europe to continue their preparation.