The result sees China move up to seventh in the women's FIH Pro League standings, while Germany's first regulation-time defeat leaves them in fifth position.

China were forced to soak up plenty of pressure in an opening period dominated by Germany.

Germany forward Charlotte Stapenhorst twice went close to opening the scoring for the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallists, firing into the side netting from an acute angle before seeing a backhand strike from the top of the circle kicked to safety by the right foot of China's ever-reliable goalkeeper Ye Jiao.

China's defensive resilience continued in the early stages of the second quarter, with defender Li Jiaqi making a brilliantly-timed tackle to deny Naomi Heyn a certain goal at the end of a well-worked penalty corner routine.

Despite this chance, Germany's grip on the contest had started to loosen, with Dan Wen and Gu Bingfeng going close before China made the breakthrough just before half-time.

Skipper Cui found the net with a superb penalty corner deflection, diving in at the left post to convert a perfect pass from the influential Gu.

Things went from bad to worse for Germany in the third quarter when Zhang produced a cool close-range finish at the end of a rapid counter-attack to put China into a 2-0 lead.

The visitors battled hard to find a route back into the contest but were thwarted by some outstanding defending from the hosts, who managed to keep Germany off the scoreboard until seven minutes from the end of the contest, when Hannah Gablac slapped home after great work from Viktoria Huse.

It was the lifeline that Germany needed, but China's resolve was not to be broken as the home favourites claimed their first victory in the inaugural edition of the FIH Pro League.

"It is amazing, right," Cui, the player of the match, said.

"We played very hard.

"I think before the game we needed confidence, so I am very proud of my team-mates."

FIH Pro League action is due to continue on Friday (March 8) in Auckland with New Zealand facing the United States in the women's event and Spain in the men's competition.