It was too little, too late to save Taiwan’s pride, as the 1992 Olympic silver medallists were demolished earlier by Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea.

Japan and South Korea, who booked spots in the second round of the 16-nation event, were to clash later in the day with two wins each.

For winless China, it was another chapter in a learning curve as they prepare to play baseball at the 2008 Olympics as hosts.

Chen Yung-Chi doubled off Chinese starter Wang Nan and scrambled home on a single to center field by Chang Chien-Ming for Taiwan’s first run in the top of the third inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Taiwan starter Pan Wei-Lun survived a scare with runners on first and second bases and only one out by striking out two batters in a row.

Hu Chin-Lung and Hsieh Chia-Hsien knocked Wang off the mound with a double and a single in the fourth.

China’s first reliever Xu Zheng walked Chien FengMing and struck out Yang Chung-Shou, leaving the bases loaded with two outs.

But lead-off batter Chen Yung-Chi blasted a grandslam homer to left field after Chinese outfielders fumbled his easy foul pop up to put Taiwan ahead 50.

Chen scored another run in the sixth when he doubled into right-center field with two outs, sending Chen Feng-Min sliding home from first base.

Then Chang ChienMing escaped an infield groundout as a bad throw to first base allowed him to reach third while Chen Feng-Min crossed the plate for a 7-0 lead.

But left-hander Xu walked two batters to face another bases-loaded scare, which fizzled out with a flyout by designated hitter Chang Tai-Shan.