The team, based in the Chinese city Shenzhen, were confirmed as winners of the Russian Women’s Hockey League earlier this year.

The team had been a member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) for two years until it disbanded ahead of the 2019 to 2020 season.

This saw Kunlun Red Star Vanke Rays moved to Russia’s "Zhenskaya Khokkeinaya Liga" – also known as the Russian Women’s Hockey League.

Backed by Chinese billionaire Billy Ngok, who hopes to develop ice hockey in China before Beijing 2022, the team competed in Russia from January to mid-March.

The Rays were ultimately crowned champions of the eight team event, after overcoming defending champions Agidel Ufa in the final.

Liu told the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that the team’s achievement had earned attention in China and said she hopes members of the team could ultimately represent the host nation at Beijing 2022.

"There are a lot of rules or policies that helped to push hockey to grow in China for the 2022 Olympics, and we are part of it," Liu said.

"Our Championship is big news and big encouragement for all the Chinese people who are interested in hockey or playing hockey.

"They know we can do something different and we can improve.

"Even though we’re an international club, we’re not exclusively Chinese players.

"Last year we had a lot of Chinese players and heritage players.

"Those players might eventually be able to play in the Olympics."

China has been assured of a place in the men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments at Beijing 2022.

China has faced pressure to improve its national teams if they are to justify their automatic home nation qualification for Beijing 2022.

Canada, the United States, Finland, Russia and Switzerland - the top five teams in the world - will compete in Group A of the women's tournament at Beijing 2022.

Japan and China will be joined by three qualifiers, due to be determined next year, in Group B.