China will strive to keep a clean sheet in doping control at the upcoming Athens Olympic Games, said a senior sports official Thursday in Beijing.

"We will try to make sure that no Chinese player tests positive at the Games," said Li Furong, deputy-director of the State General Administration of Sports and vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), at a press conference.

"Chinese athletes have had no positive test at major multi-sport international events since the Sydney Olympics," Li added. "We would also like to keep it clean at the Athens Games."

China, who had dropped 27 athletes from its Sydney Olympics team to have a clean Olympic journey in 2000, has been in rigorous anti-doping campaign in recent years.

The sports powerhouse had conducted 1,366 urine tests and 79 blood tests up to May 10 this year, with four tests turning out positive, revealed Shi Kangcheng, director of the Administration Office of COC Anti-Doping Commission, early this month.

In 2003, China had 18 doping cases over 10 events.

"We have attached great importance to doping control," said Li Furong. "On one hand, we have been conducting more tests. On the other hand, we have been persuading coaches and players to keep away from drugs."

A total of 395 Chinese athletes have clinched berths in 200 events of 26 sports for the Athens Olympics, according to COC vice-president Xiao Tian.

"We are expecting some more Olympic tickets in beach volleyball, tennis and track and field, which will bring the number of the Chinese athletes participating at the Athens Olympics to more than 400," Xiao said.

China will send its biggest ever Olympic delegation to the Athens Games with over 400 athletes and about 220 officials, according to Xiao. The delegation will be formed on July 13.