Iran target fourth title in five
Iran are aiming to continue their recent dominance of basketball in Asia, while China want to bounce back at home.
China will hope home-court advantage can help them to their 16th FIBA Asia Championship title but defending champions Iran remain confident they can win for the fourth time in five tournaments.
Iran only claimed their first continental title in 2007 before lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2013, with China notching their unprecedented 15th gold medal in 2011.
With Olympic Games qualification also on the line in the city of Changsha, Iran forward Nikkhah Bahrami insists no game will be easy as his team looks to continue their recent dominance in Asia when the tournament begins on Wednesday.
"We are determined to win the title. Our players are highly motivated at the moment. I think all participants are well-prepared since it [the tournament] doubles as Olympics qualifier," he said, according to the Philippines' GMA News Online.
The gold medallists in Changsha will be Asia's sole automatic qualifier for Rio 2016.
Iran defeated the Philippines to be crowned Asian champions two years ago and will start their title defence in Group A against Japan, Malaysia and India.
The reigning champions will rely on veteran guard Mehdi Kamrani, who plays for Jiangsu Tongxi in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The Philippines face Kuwait, Palestine and Hong Kong in Group B, while China - who have finished on the podium in 18 of the past 20 FIBA Asia Championships - are in Group C alongside South Korea, Jordan and Singapore.
In Group D, Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar and Kazakhstan will face off - the top three teams in each group advance to the second round.
China surprisingly finished fifth two years ago but with former New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards power forward Yi Jianlian fit, the hosts will be confident in 2015.
After five years in the NBA, Yi now plays for CBA club Guangdong Southern Tigers.