China stormed into the last four of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup with a convincing 85-71 win over France in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Five Chinese players hit double digits, led by Li Meng's 23 points. Huang Sijing helped with 18.

It is after 28 years that Team China have reached the semis. In 1994 they finished runners-up at what was then called the FIBA World Championship for Women.

In the first quarter, France raced to a 12-6 lead, but China responded with an 18-3 surge to turn the tides, with Li Meng contributing 12 points. France scored five late points, including Mamignan Toure's buzzer-beating three-pointer, to tie the first quarter at 25-25.

China kept up the pressure on in the second quarter with six points in a row enroute to a 50-39 halftime margin.

France rode on a 12-2 scoring run to trim the deficit to one point midway through the third quarter, but China steadied themselves through Han Xu's three-point play and Li Yuan continued her scoring after coming off the bench, helping China lead 66-58 heading into the final frame.

Han continued to be unstoppable in the paint in the last period, and China effectively sealed their victory as Huang buried a three-pointer with 1:26 to play.

China will vie for a final berth on Friday against hosts Australia. 

Games results of FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup quarterfinals on September 29:

China 85-71 France

U.S. 88-55 Serbia

Puerto Rico 60-79 Canada

Belgium 69-86 Australia

(With input from Xinhua)