Chinese swimming stars Chen Yan, Wu Yanyan and American veteran Chad Carvin will highlight the new millennium's FINA World Cup through January 4-5 in Shanghai.

The 19-year-old Chen, world champion in the women's 400-m individual medley, will compete in the 200m and 400m medley, while 200m medley world titlist Wu will swim in the 100m and 200m medley.

Carvin, who suffered a setback with a heart problem in 1996 and back injuries last year, will contest the titles of the men's 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle. He currently ranks world No.2 in the 400 and No.5 in the 1500 freestyle.

More than 300 swimmers from 16 countries and regions are taking part in the two-day event, which saw the absence of German Olympian Mark Warnecke.

Warnecke, 29, who retained his 50m-breaststroke title at the European short course championships in Lisbon, pulled off the event because of his knee surgery last month. The World Cup Series, which include 12 meets distributed to America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, will move to Hong Kong on January 8 and later this month in Hobart and Sydney, Australia. (Xinhua)