This shock victory for the hosts against Estonia means the two teams are now tied on two points apiece in Group B, although Estonia are ahead on goal difference.

After the victory, China coach Per-Erik Holmström, from Sweden, said: "A splendid team performance and the Chinese women's first-ever World Championship victory.

"I think it was a first important step to persuade and show everybody in China, as well as to people around the world, that the China women's team will have a great medal opportunity in bandy if the sport is included on the programme for the Beijing 2022 Olympics."

The other Group B match saw Finland inflict a heavy 27-0 defeat on Switzerland, the largest winning margin of the tournament so far.

Finland now top the group on four points with Switzerland last with zero.

Another hugely significant result in the competition today came in Group A with Russia beating Sweden 3-1 in a match that pitted the two tournament favourites against each other.

The finals of all eight of the Women’s Bandy World Championships to date have been contested between Sweden and Russia with the former coming out on top on seven of the eight occasions.

Today's result means Russia now sit on top of Group A on four points with Sweden second on two points.

The other Group A match saw Norway beat the United States 3-1.

Norway are now tied with Sweden on two points but are behind them in the group due to an inferior goal difference.

The US sit bottom of the group without a point to their name.

Tomorrow sees the last group matches of the competition take place before the quarter-finals the following day.