China's women's ice hockey team has finished first in the 2023 Division 1A World Championships, winning all five matches en route to promotion to the top division of the IIHF World Championships. 

Just a year after the Chinese women rose to Division 1A, they advanced to the top division after their fourth victory over Austria, before which they beat Slovakia, Norway and Denmark.

Denmark joined China in promotion thanks to net goal advantage, having finished on nine points, level with Austria and Norway. 

On Saturday, China rounded off their campaign with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Kong Ming gave China an early lead after a pass from Fang Xinming, and Kang Mulan put China in the lead after Aimee Seppenwolde leveled the score for her side in the second quarter.

Slovakia were relegated to Division 1B after they lost 2-1 to Denmark. In April, France and Hungary were demoted from the top tier to Division 1A for next season. 

The next edition of the top division tournament will take place in New York in April 2024.