China have made it two golds from two events at the FINA World Series season opener in Beijing.
Chen Aisen and Lin Yue posted a final score of 486.75 to finish more than 75 points ahead of the pack and retain the top honour gathered by Lin and former synchro partner Cao Yuan in the 10m synchro at last season's meet. The total included a session-topping 98.79 for their most ambitious dive, the forward 4-1/2 somersault.
Britain are failing to field a pairing in the synchro event for at least the first two meets of the season after 10m specialist Tom Daley outlined his intentions to initially focus on individual competition while he integrates a tricky new dive into his routine. Matthew Lee and Daniel Goodfellow previously earned Britain a 10m bronze medal in China in 2014.
Germany's veteran duo Patrick Hausding and Sascha Klein retained their silver with a score of 410.28 but could have lost out to Mexicans Ivan Garcia and German Sanchez, who botched their fourth dive yet managed an overall score of 393.39 to take the final spot on the podium.
Elsewhere, it was a tough debut for 16-year-old American Jordan Windle and partner Toby Stanley, who finished last of the pack with 327.99.
Results in full:
1. Chen Aisen, Lin Yue (CHN) - 486.75
2. Patrick Hausding, Sascha Klein (GER) - 410.28
3. Ivan Garcia, German Sanchez (MEX) - 393.39
4. Victor Ortega, Juan Rios (COL) - 369.39
5. Jeinkler Aguirre, Jose Guerra (CUB) - 353.58
6. Philippe Gagne, Vincent Riendeau (CAN) - 346.50
7. Toby Stanley, Jordan Windle (USA) - 327.99
