Jan 7-29

Men's soccer Asian Cup

Qatar

Despite the scandals in the domestic league, the national team, under the guidance of Gao Hongbo, delivered some good results last year. It won the East Asian Championship after defeating South Korea for the first time in 27 years and also upset France in a pre-World Cup friendly. This will be a tougher and more important test for the side.

Jan 17-30

Australian Open

Melbourne, Australia

Li Na and Zheng Jie created Chinese tennis history by reaching the semifinals in Melbourne last year. Zheng has been sidelined by a wrist injury, and that has left Li to shoulder most of the hopes of local fans. However, Peng Shuai is expected to have a breakthrough year after winning the singles title at the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Chinese stars to watch

Li Na, 28, semifinalist at 2010 Australian Open, world No 11

Peng Shuai, 24, singles winner at the Guangzhou Asiad, world No 71

Jul 16-31

FINA World Aquatics Championships

Shanghai, China

China is not only expected to collect most of the diving titles and a few more gold medals in swimming in its home pool, but it has also set its sights on winning the synchronized swimming and women's water polo events.

Chinese stars to watch

Sun Yang, 19, men's freestyle, bronze medalist in 1,500m at the 2009 Worlds and winner of the event at the Guangzhou Asiad.

Women's water polo team, bronze medalist at the 2010 World Cup, champion of the Guangzhou Asiad.

Aug 27- Sept 4

World Track and Field Championships

Taegu, South Korea,

After winning the Asian Games title three times in a row, Liu Xiang is expected to further prove he has fully recovered from a lengthy injury break at the Worlds on the way to his second Olympic gold medal in London in 2012.

Chinese stars to watch

Liu Xiang, 27, men's 110m hurdles, gold medalist at the 2004 Olympics and the 2007 Worlds

Bai Xue, 22, women's marathon, defending champion

Wang Hao, 21, men's 20km walk, silver medalist at the 2009 Worlds

Nov 4 - 11

Women's Volleyball World Cup

Japan

The once-glorious Chinese women's volleyball team hit rock bottom by finishing 10th at last year's World Championship. However, it is still expected to win an Olympic medal for the third time in a row at the London Olympics. Its performance at the World Cup should show us if that is possible.