For this edition of Thomas Cup '21 (originally 2020,postponed), realistically I don't rate China's chances as frontruner, at most among the top three favourites, even then probably just behind the other two teams, whoever they might be.
It's clear that China is sending their Team B, in the absence of Chen Long, Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen, and even Zhang Nan (though he has yet to announce his retirement), and among those in the squad, most of them are young and inexperienced as well as making their debut in a world team championship. To be honest, how they handle the pressure of the burden of expectations is a question mark.
Just think, only Shi Yuqi has big-match experience, and MD Liu Cheng who is without his usual partner, Huang Kaixiang, to a lesser extent - the rest are practically newbies at a world team championship. Even SYQ is not totally out of the woods yet.
When even mature, experienced top echelon players and pairs who have made appearances in the team majors before are still vulnerable to jangled nerves more often than not, what more the novices.
I note that on the Thomas - Uber Cup thread, forummer sonnymak wrote the following:
" In 1976 Malaysia send a group of young and untested under achievers . They beat a Denmark team full of All England Champions and Future world champion. Sven Pri warned his teammate not to underestimate the Malaysian youngsters . They have history on their side.
It happened again in 1988 When Malaysia beat Indonesia in the semis which was a mixed of young and old."
Well, all I can say is that such examples are too few and far between, just look at the dates and how far apart. First, in 1976, that's 45 years ago; the second time in 1988, 33 years ago ! The exception proves the rule.