Triple Olympic gold medallist Ma Long will lead the Chinese male contingent with Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, Lin Gaoyuan and Yu Ziyang completing their impressive line-up.

Reigning world and Olympic champion Ding Ning is joined in the women's squad by Zhu Yuling, Liu Shiwen, Chen Xingtong and Wang Manyu.

China have dominated both the men's and women's competitions for a long time with the men winning each of the last six tournaments and the women the last seven.

With it looking likely that China will top the podium in both events, focus could be on who can claim the minor medals.

It will be Japan who will be looking to ensure they finish in one of the top three spots in the women's draw having done so for the last five years.

Germany could carry European hopes in the men's draw as they come into the event as continental champions.

Romania are the hotly-tipped European team to do well in the women’s tournament and enter the competition in good form having also won their continental event.

The tournament in the British capital will see the teams divided into four groups of three with the top two qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The fixtures will be based on a system under consideration for future Olympic Games, with the opening match a doubles contest followed by four singles contests if all are required.

No player is allowed to play in more than two matches.

The competition is set to take place until Sunday (February 25).