China has been a rowing power in Asia, taking 45 of the 47 gold medals contested in Asian Games since the event was introduced into the regional Olympics in New Delhi in 1982.

With their victories today, the Chinese rowers increased their Asia gold total to 51.

At the last Asiad in Bangkok in 1998, China took home all 11 golds on offer.

Zhao Zhifu began China's gold spree Wednesday when he won the men's lightweight single sculls on the Nakdong River, beating Hitoshi Hase of Japan by almost four seconds.

Law Hiu-fung of Hong Kong, China took the bronze, almost twelve seconds behind the Chinese man's winning time of seven minutes 12.55 seconds.

Fu Fengjin then added gold in the women's event winning in a time of nine minutes 0.81 seconds ahead of Thailand's Phuttharaksa Nikree with Yung Ka-yan from Hong Kong of China in third.

China had an easy victory in the men's coxless fours when Wang Bo, Chen Zheng, Chi Huanqi and Sun Jian surged to the title in 6:46.25 ahead of Uzbekistan and India.

The demolition of their opponents continued when the Chinese women followed suit to easily win the coxless fours in a time of 7:44.57, over 20 seconds ahead of second placed Chinese Taipei, with Uzbekistan in the bronze medal position.

Cui Yonghui finished over 12 seconds ahead of Law Hiu-fung from China's Hong Kong in a time of 8:19.40 to take gold in the men's single sculls with Muhammad Akram of Pakistan in third.

Zhang Xiuyun completed the day's rout in the women's single sculls finishing in a time of 9:15.28 with Japan's Naoe Harada a long way back in second spot in 9:38.30.

Lee Eun-Waoi of South Korea took the bronze.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2002)