Members of Chinese women's ice hockey team celebrate during a match in Group A of ice hockey Women's World Championship Division I in Shenzhen, China, on Aug 21, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

SHENZHEN - Kong Minghui scored a brace as China overcame a slow start to beat Norway 5-3 in Group A of ice hockey Women's World Championship Division I here on Monday.

The tournament is taking place in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and features China, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovakia, with the six teams competing for promotion to the top division.

Players of Chinese and Norwegian women's ice hockey team vies for the puck during a match in Group A of ice hockey Women's World Championship Division I in Shenzhen, China, on Aug 21, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The win moves the hosts into a tie with Austria for top spot with identical 2-0 records, while Norway falls to 0-2 with the loss.

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Norway opened the scoring through Emma Bergesen at 8:26 in the first period before Millie Sirum doubled their lead at 3:02 in the second period.

But the hosts then turned the tide with three goals from Kang Mulan, Kong and Fang Xin.

Players of Chinese and Norwegian women's ice hockey team compete during a match in Group A of ice hockey Women's World Championship Division I in Shenzhen, China, on Aug 21, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Norway's Emilie Kruse leveled the score 3-3 at the beginning of the third period, before Kong and Zhang Xifang netted to seal the victory for China.

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Also on Monday, Austria defeated Denmark 1-0 while the Netherlands thrashed Slovakia 3-0.

China faces off against Denmark on Wednesday.