China lost their second straight match at the men's volleyball world championship in Bulgaria, going down 3-1 to the Netherlands. 

The Chinese were more competitive than in their opening loss to France, but remain winless with four contests left in group play.

They got off to a strong start against the Dutch, with Liu Libin's solo block at the net giving them a quick 4-0 lead in the first set. But the Dutch side fought back courtesy Thomas Koele-wiyn and Gils Yorne.

The Chinese side soon found themselves serving to prolong the game, but Yorne's spike put it away 25-21.

The Oranje were trailing early in the second set and a high swing from Jiang Chuan overpowered the Netherlands block, making it 7-5 in China's favor at one stage.

But Thiys Ter Horst spearheaded the Dutch as they clawed their way back into the game and eventually took the set 25-13. 

The Chinese kept the pressure mounting on their European opponents in the third, and Ji Daoshuai's ace tied the set at 20-20. The Oranje tried to reclaim the advantage but Yorne's attempt went over the block and sailed wide, putting the Asian side ahead with 23-21. 

China had a chance to seal the game at that stage, and thanks to an errant spike by Nimir Abdel-Aziz, they closed it out 25-23.

But the Chinese fell behind again in the fourth set and were trying to extend the match, only to watch Ter Horst pound the ball into the corner as the Netherlands wrapped up the set and match at 25-13.