China moved into the lead of team qualifying yesterday at the world gymnastics championships, pushing Japan into second place.

Olympic champion Chen Yibing made the difference on the rings for China as it swept past Japan on the final apparatus. Only Russia was left to go as a main contender in yesterday's qualifying.

China leads the provisional standings with 362.482 points, ahead of Japan with 361.400. The United States has 357.092.

In the individual standings, Kohei Uchimura led with 92.231 points, ahead Lu Bo of China with 89.639. American allrounder Jonathan Horton is third with 89.598 points.

The team final is tomorrow when the finalists start again from scratch.