The Chinese national team selection for the fifth World Youth Chess Championships concluded on July 21 in Xintai city, in East China's Shandong province.

Li Zetong, a 13-year-old girl from Tianhe district of Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, secured her position in the U16 girls' national team.

She'll represent China at the championships, which will be held in Shanghai on Sept 22-27.

Li Zetong (right) analyzes the board during the Chinese chess national team selection trials. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Li began her Chinese chess training in 2018 at the Guangzhou Dongpu Primary School, a national Chinese chess-focused institution in Tianhe district. She then took second place at the 2022 Chinese National Youth Chess Championship and claimed the title in 2024.

Tianhe district has placed significant importance on chess as an intellectual sport. Its youth team achieved notable results at the 2025 Guangzhou Youth Chess Championship, winning 10 out of the 13 available gold medals.