BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chen Hong has been ruled out of China's squad for the year-end Asian Games despite winning the China Open for the second time in a row last weekend, said China Sports Daily on Monday.

    Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese national badminton side, made the announcement right after the 27-year-old world number seven beat compatriot Bao Chunlai in straight games to claim the men's singles at the six star China Open on Sunday.

    Li said he wanted to give young players more chances to play at a high level of international competition as part of preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

    Olympic champions Zhang Jun, Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen were also excluded from the squad for the same reason.