Zheng's team also lost at the 2021 Asian Cup final to Japan.

She has been part of a finals team, not only as a coach, but also as a player as she also was a member of the Chinese team that lost to Brazil at the 1994 FIBA World Championships in Australia.

Zheng's return to Australia for last year's FIBA World Cup also ended in disappointment as her team were beaten 83-61 in the final in Sydney by the US.

"Because of these setbacks my players really wanted to move a step forward and reach a new level," the 59-year-old Zheng in an interview with China's official state news agency Xinhua.

"We only made it to the final in this tournament. It might come just by chance.

"But if we are a genuinely top team like the USA, Australia, France and Spain, we need to prove ourselves in every competition.

"I believe we are approaching our goals on the right track through training."

China edged past France in the quarter-finals and then Australia in the semi-final during last year's World Cup.

The team are set to return to Australia this year to take part in the FIBA Women's Asian Cup, due to take place in Sydney between June 26 and July 2.

China have lifted the title 11 times since the tournament started in 1965.

But they not won the tournament since 2011 as Japan have dominated the event, winning the last five events, beating China in three of the last four finals.

The Asian Cup will be a warm-up for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 23 until October 8 and where China will be playing at home in Hangzhou.

China will be chasing a record seventh Asian Games gold medal and defending a title they won at Incheon 2014 and Jakarta Palembang 2018.

There has been contact between the WNBA and four or five of the Chinese basketball players, meaning that they may be shorthanded at the Asian Cup.

"We will play the Asian Cup in June, but some of the players who were in last year's World Cup may not join the team because they have contracts with WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) teams, so the mission will be tough for us," Zheng said.

China has competed in every Olympic women's basketball team tournament since Athens 2004 but have failed to win a medal.

The country's last medal was a silver at Barcelona 1992, which was added to the bronze they had won on their Olympic debut at Los Angeles 1984. 

Zheng, who took over as national coach after leading Inner Mongolia Rural Credit Union to consecutive Women's Chinese Basketball Association titles, has set a victory at Paris 2024 as their ultimate goal.

"We need to combine our preparations with the two goals," she said.

"We may recruit more young players who can compete in international events. 

"They are eager to play for the national team. 

"We want to observe them and help them grow.

"We hope to add one backup to every position. 

"The national team's roster will include 16 to 18 players this time.

"We aim to match our World Cup performance in every major competition in the future. 

"Hopefully we can achieve it."