By Sportswriters Gao Peng and Wang Jingyu

    DOHA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A top Chinese sports official said on Thursday that the country's gold harvest at the ongoing Asian Games was not a surprise.

    "On the whole, the performance of Chinese athletes was normal in the past few days of competition," Xiao Tian, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese sports delegation, told Xinhua.

    "It is within our expectations," he added.

    Since the Asian Games opened on Dec. 1, China has won a total of 156 medals, including 88 gold, 49 silver and 20 bronze. Japan is ranked second in the medals table with 94 medals (26-30-38), followed by South Korea with 88 (18-25-25).

    With more than 200 gold medals up for grabs, China looks set to keep its top position at the gold medal tally.

    "China will definitely defend its number one spot if there are no major upsets," said Xiao.

    Since its Asian Games debut in 1974, China has clinched the top place in gold medals and total medals five times. At last Asian Games in Busan, China won 150 gold medals for the top finish.

    In most of the 28 Olympic sports that Chinese athletes are competing in the Asiad, a youth movement is well underway, including major sports like swimming, diving, gymnastics, table tennis and soccer.

    Xiao, who is also deputy minister of Chinese General Administration of Sport, said that most of the youngsters have lived up to their expectations.

    "In sport, it is always important to inject new blood," said Xiao.