Ye Shiwen spearheads China in four-nation swim meet

Canberra: Olympic swimming champion Ye Shiwen spearheads China's hunt for top medals as the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series opened in the western Australian city of Perth Friday.

Ye Shiwen leads the 24-member Chinese team which also includes backstroke specialist Fu Yuanhui and world championships runner-up Lu Ying, reports Xinhua.

Olympic champions Sun Yang and Jiao Liuyang, and rising star Ning Zetao are out of the squad.

Top swimmers from the US, Australia and Japan will also compete in the event.

The US, led by 11-time Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte, will be looking to halt Australia's domination of the two-day outdoor event.