Defending champion China listed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as the tough rival at the 6-day Asian women's softball championships which started on Monday.

"Comparing with our long-time rival Japan, I think DPR Korea is the top threat in the way to win our fourth consecutive title," said China's head coach Lu Yaming, whose team just beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 in the opening game.

China, three-time Asian champion since 1987, had an even record against Olympic fourth-placer Japan in their recent encounters but found it was difficulty to play against DPR Korea, who seldom showed up in the international events."

"DPR Korea has achieved amazing improvements in the last two years, especially when they made an intense fight for us at the Bangkok Asian Games last year," he added.

China's veteran pitcher Qin Xuejing echoed Liu's opinion: "We are unfamiliar with their players and tactics. But their insistence showed at the Asian Games gave us strong impression. They are very tough."

China, runner-up at the Atlanta Olympic Games with a team of 27- year-old in average, called back six veterans from aboard and named a mixed line-up of veterans and young players. They now average only 24 at the quadrennial Asian meet.

"I don't know how many DPR Korea players had competed in the Bangkok Games, and whether they are experienced or not. We will keep close eyes on them through this meet," Liu said before the DPR Korea lost to South Korea 0-2 in later actions. "However, they are not the arch-rivals for us in Sydney," Liu stressed.