On April 27, the 2025 Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Badminton Championships will commence at the Phoenix Sports Hall in Xiamen. As the first major team event of the new Olympic cycle in badminton, this tournament presents fresh challenges for Team China, which is currently undergoing a generational shift. Nonetheless, the goal remains unchanged: to secure a fourth consecutive title and lift the Sudirman Cup for the 14th time on home soil.

Among the 20-member squad, five players — Shi Yuqi, Chen Yufei, Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan, and Huang Dongping — have been selected for the fifth consecutive time, earning them the title of "five-time Sudirman Cup veterans." Their experience gives Team China a strong foundation. From 2019 to 2023, Shi Yuqi has led the men's singles lineup and will once again be relied upon as the world number one to deliver at crucial moments. If he maintains his physical condition, his current technical level gives him the ability to take charge.

Although Chen Yufei has yet to return to peak form, her recent Asian Championships title proved her capabilities, and she remains a steady presence in the women’s singles category. In women’s doubles, Olympic champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan — despite recently competing with different partners — are expected to rekindle their formidable chemistry when reunited. In mixed doubles, only veteran Huang Dongping remains from past Olympic cycles. She stated, “Never underestimate the heart that wants to win. The power of unity is the strongest of all.”

Can the new generation rise to the occasion? Six players — Weng Hongyang, Chen Boyang, Liu Yi, Jiang Zhenbang, Wei Yaxin, and Guo Xinwa — are making their Sudirman Cup debut, while Liu Shengshu, Tan Ning, Liang Weikeng, and Wang Chang will take on major responsibilities for the first time. These young athletes are eager to shine on the grand stage and are prepared to give it their all. “The team is more energetic now, which will bring a new kind of passion and atmosphere,” said Wang Chang, a men’s doubles player and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist born after 2000. Liu Shengshu, the current world No.1 in women’s doubles, added, “We fight with everything we’ve got — with passion and momentum.” Meanwhile, women’s singles world No.2 Wang Zhiyi declared, “I’ll give everything I have to win that crucial point for the team.”

As for their opponents, South Korea — last tournament’s finalist — remains China’s toughest rival, with a lineup that includes Olympic women’s singles champion An Se-young, men’s doubles world champions Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk, world No.3 women’s doubles pair Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee, and mixed doubles world champion Chae Yu-jung. With strength in nearly every discipline except men’s singles, Korea poses a formidable challenge. Japan, who nearly eliminated China in the previous semifinals, remains a strong contender as well. Other competitive teams include Indonesia and Malaysia.

Facing both internal transition and strong international competition, Team China’s path to the title will undoubtedly be thorny. Still, fans remain hopeful that the team will fight bravely, overcome all obstacles, and rise once again.