The Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) can confirm the participation of Chinese players in upcoming HSBC BWF World Tour tournaments in Europe.

In a statement released on Friday, CBA said that members of the team were healthy and not infected with Covid-19. It also confirmed that a number of players had been in the United Kingdom the past week training.

Statement from CBA: “Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, there has been close attention on whether the Chinese team could train and participate in tournaments.

“We would like to explain that members of the Chinese Badminton Team are healthy and that no one is infected or suspected of being infected.

“The majority of the team travelled to the UK for training [last week] and the rest remained in Beijing applying for a British visa.

“The Chinese Badminton Team will continue to participate in tournaments including the YONEX German Open 2020, YONEX All England Open 2020 and YONEX Swiss Open 2020.

“With the German Open about to begin, the team will leave the UK and travel to Germany.

“The participation of players still in Beijing depends on the issuance of visas. CBA with the help of BWF and other parties are working to ensure their presence in these tournaments.

“While the outbreak of Coronavirus has brought difficulties to the planning and management of Team China, we have received much help and support from all sides.

“This is a critical stage to secure qualification for the Olympic Games and the Chinese Badminton Team will spare no effort in qualifying and delivering good performances at the Olympics.”

BWF welcomed the news and confirmed all relevant health, safety and logistical risks had been considered and that the welfare of players, entourage, and officials at tournaments remained top priority.

The YONEX German Open starts 3 March in Mülheim an der Ruhr.