Two minutes later, Nilakanta Sharma saw a sharp save from Wang and then, the Chinese goalkeeper showed brilliant reflexes to deny Sukhjeet Singh after being fed by Jugraj.
Seconds from the end of the first quarter, India conceded a penalty corner but Krishan Bahadur Pathak was alert in front of the goal.
The script was the same in the second quarter with India enjoying most of the possession and China relying on counters.
India pressed for goal in the face of a brilliant display of deep defending from China. The hosts didn't panic, and stayed calm when put under pressure by the Indians.
In the 27th minute, Sukhjeet Singh secured a penalty corner but Harmanpreet's attempt hit the post, as China did enough to hold India goalless at half time.
The nimble-footed Chinese came out with renewed vigour after the change of ends, mounting a series of attacks on the Indian citadel.
China secured their second penalty corner in the 38th minute but the Indians defence was up to the task.
The Chinese continued their aggressive intent, earning back-to-back penalty corners in the 40th minute but India goalkeeper Pathak was alert under the bar.
The young Indian forwardline, which produced a fine performance in the tournament, too had its chances and penetrated the Chinese defence on a number of occasions but failed to find the target.
It required a brilliant burst from Harmanpreet to finally break the deadlock.
The in-form India captain sneaked into the Chinese circle with some fine stick work and neatly passed the ball to fellow defender Jugraj, who pushed it in past the opposition goalkeeper, as India heaved a sigh of relief.
With the home crowd backing them, China withdrew their goalkeeper for an extra field player four minutes from the hooter, but the Indians managed to keep the ball in their control and defended in numbers to emerge triumphant.