Forward Valentina Giacinti put Italy into a 15th-minute lead when she slotted home a loose ball from close range after Peng Shimeng parried Elisa Bartoli's attempt at the Stade de la Mosson.

The European side then went onto wrap up victory through Aurora Galli, who having replaced Cristiana Girelli in the first-half found the bottom corner from outside the area four minutes after the restart.

China had a promising spell before the break but failed to capitalise as Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani made some good saves.

The only other time Italy have made it to the last eight of the FIFA Women's World Cup was in 1991, when the inaugural edition took place in China.

That year, the group phase directly led to the quarter-finals.

Italy last featured at the quadrennial event in 1999, when today's opponents China were the runners-up to the United States.

Awaiting them in the quarter-finals are set to be The Netherlands after they defeated Japan 2-1 at Roazhon Park in Rennes. 

Lieke Martens' late penalty proved to be the difference following a handball from Saki Kumagai in the box.

Martens had earlier given the Dutch the lead when her backheel from a corner went in via a slight deflection off Yuika Sugasawa.

Japan levelled just before half-time through Yui Hasegawa, who struck the ball home after a superb team move.

But it was not to be the 2011 champions' night with Martens scoring the winner after Vivianne Miedema's effort hit the arm of Kumagai.

Italy versus The Netherlands is one of two last-eight ties scheduled for Saturday (June 29) along with Germany against Sweden.

The first is due to see England face Norway on Thursday (June 27) before France go up against the US on Friday (June 28).