A run-a-ball 55 from opener Zhang Mei steered newcomers to the game China to an upset 13-run victory over defending champions Hong Kong in the Asian Cricket Council Women's Twenty20 Championship in Kuwait.

China, whose women's team have been playing for only four years and werer formed to figure in last November's Asian Games, held their nerve to defend a modest total and shock favourites Hong Kong in the tournament opener.

China reached 129 for four thanks mainly to an opening stand of 78 off 66 deliveries between Zhang and Sun Huan, both of whom played for China in the Asian Games.

"This is the best I've seen them bat," ACC development manager Iqbal Sikander said. "They didn't allow the Hong Kong bowlers to settle and they were really in no trouble at all, not even against what was expected to be a weakness - spin bowling."

Mariko Hill was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, claiming the first two wickets. But she could not dislodge Zhang, who went on to achieve her highest international score. The loss of Connie Wong Ar-yan, run out for 16, and skipper Neisha Pratt, stumped on 45, saw Hong Kong's chances of overhauling the target disappear as they finished on 116 for seven.

"We know Hong Kong's game well and have played them and beaten them before but this was a good sign of improvement," China manager Zhang Tian said.

China captain Wang Meng said: "We think we can go to the final."

Ten teams are taking part in the second ACC Women's Twenty20 tournament which ends on Friday.

Hong Kong, the defending champions, are grouped with Singapore, China, Oman and Bhutan, while Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait form the other group. The top two sides in each pool will qualify for the semi-finals.