Chinese Taipei and Belgium booked their last four berths at the World Korfball Championship ©IKF

Chinese Taipei edged a high-scoring match against Suriname to reach the semi-finals of the International Korfball Federation World Korfball Championship in Durban in South Africa.

The Asian champions faced their toughest battle of the tournament but prevailed 20-18 at the KZN Westville Campus Indoor Sports Centre.

Belgium await in the last four after they beat the Czech Republic, who stand in their way of a seventh successive appearance in the World Championship final, 27-10.

The Belgians won the world title in 1991 but have lost every final since against their Dutch neighbours.

Portugal won bronze at the 2018 European Korfball Championship but waved goodbye to their medal chances after succumbing to China 25-21.

China's victory sees them reach the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time.

They will meet defending champions the Netherlands in the last four.

The Dutch, seeking a 10th World Championship crown, cruised past Germany 25-9 to keep their title defence on track.

Tomorrow the classification matches will take place with the semi-finals scheduled for Thursday (August 8).