Eight Chinese players have been issued wildcards for the 2006 China Open snooker tournament.

The eight players are all in the leading positions among domestic professionals. They will join defending champion Ding Juhui in the main draw competition starting on March 19th.

However, overseas based Jin Long and Liang Wenbo were eliminated from the event after losing in the qualifying round.

The move, according to the organizers, is to provide more Chinese players a precious opportunity to play against world elites.

(CRI English January 19, 2006)