The Chinese women's national basketball team secured a qualifying berth for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup after three straight wins in the group stage of the FIBA Asia Cup and thereby qualifying for the semifinals of the tournament.

The Chinese team defeated New Zealand 85-51 on Wednesday in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, with promising towering center Zhang Ziyu contributing 12 points. 

One of the most anticipated aspects of the Chinese team's performance in this tournament has been the debut of the "twin towers" combination of 18-year-old Zhang Ziyu and 25-year-old Han Xu. 

Zhang, who stands at an imposing 2.26 meters, made her senior national team debut just earlier this month. Despite limited time in full-team training with the senior national team, her presence on the court has been nothing short of remarkable.

In the game against New Zealand, Zhang and Han once again proved to be a force to be reckoned with. 

Han, with her experience and well-honed skills, dominated both the offensive and defensive ends. She scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, using her 2.07-meter frame to control the paint. 

Zhang, on the other hand, continued to showcase her talent. Scoring 12 points in an efficient 10-minute court time, as she also added 4 rebounds. Her height and physicality made it extremely difficult for the New Zealand defense to contain her near the basket.

The Chinese women's basketball team is currently in a crucial phase of transition. 

Veteran players like Huang Sijing and Yang Liwei continue to be the backbone of the team, using their experience to guide the younger players. At the same time, younger players like Yang Shuyu and Zhang are quickly emerging as key players for the future. 

Yang, known for her speed and athleticism, contributed 12 points in Wednesday's win. She said the team's performance is improving game after game.

"I think we're better than we were in the first game," Yang told reporters after the match. "However, we haven't started well in any of these games so far. We hope that in the upcoming matches, we can get off to a better start and address the issues we've encountered."

She also noted that the inclusion of Zhang has become a booster for the team.

"As everyone knows, Ziyu is our strength. Future opponents will definitely adopt targeted defenses against her, so we need to be well-prepared to deal with that," Yang said.

Zhang rose to fame in 2024 after leading the Chinese U18 team to the U18 Women's Asia Cup final, a tournament in which she was named the MVP with an average of 35 points and 12.8 rebounds. 

She was originally assigned to play for the national under-19 team at the U19 World Cup, but was later adjusted to the senior national team for the Asia Cup.

Zhang Ziyu of China in action during FIBA Women's Asia Cup China 2025 match between China and New Zealand at Shenzhen Sports Center Gymnasium on July 16, 2025 in Shenzhen, China. Photo: VCG

China's head coach Gong Luming said that the twin towers combination is still in the process of getting better.

"They need more time to fully gel, both offensively and defensively," Gong told reporters. "Zhang, despite her limited training time, has adapted well, and Han's experience has been invaluable in guiding her."

Han echoed these sentiments. 

"We are still only at about 30 percent of our full potential as a duo," said Han, who is playing her fourth Asia Cup event. "But with each game, we are getting closer to realizing our full capabilities."

"I've gained so much experience along the way. So now, I think it's even more important for me to stay grounded, communicate more with my teammates, execute the coach's tactics, and take things one game at a time."

She also mentioned that mental stability will help Zhang grow.

"As an elder sister on the team, I remind her not to lower the ball easily. Today, she mentioned that someone hit her in the face, and I hope that won't affect her mood or mind-set," Han told reporters.

"In the upcoming games, many opponents may target her with some rough plays like pushing, shoving, or even grabbing. I think her mental state will be extremely important in handling all of that."

Prior to Wednesday's match, the Chinese team had already demonstrated their dominance with resounding wins against Indonesia and South Korea. 

The game against Indonesia saw the team start strong and end with an 110-59 victory. The team's offensive firepower was on full display, and they managed to outscore their opponents in every quarter. 

Against South Korea, the Chinese team faced stiffer resistance but still emerged victorious with a score of 91-69. 

The opponents that the Chinese team will face in the semifinals will be decided on Friday in the playoffs. 

The Chinese national team won the Asia Cup in 2023, ending a 12-year hiatus. Top six teams of this year's Asia Cup will qualify for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers automatically. 

The Chinese team finished the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup as the runners-up, but a ninth finish at the Paris Olympics rose eyebrows from fans over the team's consistency.