Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan led China to a 6-3 advantage over great rival Japan on the opening night of the swimming competition.

The 2004 Athens 100-metre breaststroke golden girl won the 50-metre race at Macau Olympic Aquatic Centre in a new Games record of 31.67 seconds.

Japan's Sayaka Nakamura won the silver in 32.67, and Hong Kong's Suen Ka Yi took the bronze in 33.45. Aged just 17, Suen idolizes Luo, and hopes to emulate her sparkling career.

Luo said she could afford to enjoy her swim, as there was not the same kind of pressure on her as there had been at the National Games in Nanjing last month.

"I have been practising in the pool for a few days, so it felt good to get out there and race," she said.

The 21-year-old champion will try to end the meet with a 50 and 100-metre breaststroke double.

China won six gold medals on the opening night of the swimming, and Japan claimed three, despite lacking Athens Olympic champions Kosuke Kitajima and Ai Shibata.

Japan even won two gold medals in the same race, when Aya Terakawa and Takami Igarashi dead-heated in the women's 200-metre backstroke in 2:12.15. Hence the fact there were nine gold medals instead of the scheduled eight on day one, and only seven silver.

Overall, China have 74 gold, 27 silver and 10 bronze for 111 medals at close of play on the fifth day. Japan have moved into second place with 10-23-40 for 73, ahead of Korea with 9-21-19 for 49.

Host Macau is fourth with eight gold medals, 12 silver and seven bronze for 27, after gymnast Xu Wie won gold in the men's pommel horse.