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China have shut out Belgium to win its third consecutive match and have advanced to the final 16 of the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Italy on Thursday.

Chunlei Zeng was on fire as she led the Chinese nationals with 18 points to a three set victory over Belgium 25-21, 25-22, 25-19.

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Ting Zhu contributed with 16 points followed by team captain Ruoqi Hui with 13 points while Lise Van Hecke top scored for Belgium with 14 points.

Belgium surged ahead in the first set with a 10-5 lead, thanks to the efforts of Frauke Dirickx and Charlotte Leys, but China fought back behind Zeng's furious attacks plus help from a series of errors committed by the Belgians to take the lead 16-13.

Team captain Ruoqi closed the set and China never looked back as the trio of Ruoqi, Ting and Zeng dominated the next two sets to claim a berth in the next round.

"In the past three matches, we have always played well and tried to show off our fighting spirit on the court," China coach Jenny Lang Ping said. "We will try to keep up the positive attitude in the following matches doing our utmost."

China is the lone leader in Pool D with nine points followed by World Grand Prix Silver medalists Japan with seven points.

The Chinese squad will face Cuba next followed by a showdown with Japan before the start of the second round.

Defending champions Russia and second seeded USA are on top of the leader board in Pool C, gathering nine points each while host nation Italy has still to lose a set as they stay on top of Pool A.

The 2012 London Olympics Gold medalists Brazil is on top of Pool B with nine points as well and have also claimed a spot at the final sixteen.