HONG KONG (AFP) - China's Chen Xiaoma shot an opening six-under-par 66 to take a three-shot lead in the Shanghai Championship on Thursday.

Yuan Hao and 21-year-old James Yang Wenzhang, runner-up in last year's Buddha Cup, both shot 69 in the first round of the China Tour event.

Defending champion Li Chao is trailing after a 70 put him tied fourth with Wang Huiqiang, while Asian Tour player Shang Lei and Australian Garth Cusick shot 71.

Lu Wen-teh of Taiwan, winner of last month's Kunming Championship and one of the favourites this week, shot a 75 to lie joint 24th.

Chengdu-born Yang Taoli, the first female professional to play on the China Tour, ended with a credible 77 over the 7,118-yard layout at the Orient (Shanghai) Golf and Country Club.

Chen's seven-birdie 66 matched his second-round score in March's Dell Championship at Orient (Xiamen), where he finished 12th.

"I lived in Shanghai for 10 years, so I feel comfortable. I know the area well, although I hadn't played at this club before," said the 29-year-old.

Leading first-round scores (Chinese unless stated):

66 - Chen Xiaoma

69 - James Yang Wenzhang, Yuan Hao

70 - Li Chao, Wang Huiqiang

71 - Garth Cusick (AUS), Shang Lei

72 - Deng Yuchao, Hsu Mong-nan (TPE)