The sport's dominant power have now triumphed at 20 of the last 22 editions of the biennial event in a run dating back to 1975 in Calcutta.

Japan, despite a tenacious effort, had to be content with a third successive silver medal.

They have not won gold in almost half a century since the 1971 edition in Nagoya. 

Mima Ito had given the underdogs hope with a thrilling victory over Liu Shiwen in the opening game at the Halmstad Arena in Sweden.

She was 2-1 down and then saved two match points in the fifth set to prevail 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 12-10.

World and Olympic singles champion Ding Ning then turned the tide with a 11-6, 12-10, 13-11 success over Japan's Miu Hirano.

Zhu Yuling then outplayed world number three Kasumi Ishikawa 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 before Liu returned to defeat Hirano 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.

Hong Kong and the unified Korean team will each take bronze by virtue of losing their semi-finals yesterday.

China dispatched hosts Sweden 3-0 in the first men's semi-final earlier today to move one win away from a ninth successive men's success.

Germany lie in wait tomorrow after a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea.