KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Defending champions China had to dig deep to avoid a surprise defeat by Indonesia, winning 3-2 on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup.

Two days after whipping their arch rivals 5-0 in a group match, China, who have not lost a tie since falling 2-3 to South Korea in the 2003 final, were stunned by a determined and gallant Indonesian outfit.

But Chinese coach Li Yongbo was unperturbed. China are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in the biennial event.

"We have won it so many times - eight times," the coach said.

"I don't mind if we lose it as long as my players show their determination

and fighting spirit... Sometimes it's good for other teams to win it."