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China's Liang Rui had broken the world record on her 50 kilometres debut at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Race Walking Team Championships in Taicang.
Liang, who had never raced a distance more than 35km before, clocked 4 hours 4min 36sec to win the most competitive women's race ever held over the distance.
Portugal's Ines Henriques, who set the previous record of 4:05:56 in winning the inaugural world title in London last year, was the pre-race favourite but dropped-out at 29km to leave a four-strong lead pack.
Australia's Claire Tallent, another 50km debutant, attempted to attack but was reeled back in by a Liang-led Chinese trio.
Liang then broke clear and moved two minutes ahead of team-mates Li Maocuo and world silver medallist Yin Hang.
Yin held on for second place in 4:09:09 as Tallent recovered to take bronze just 24 seconds further back.
Li faded to seventh out of 29 finishers in a race which may go a long way in helping the event's ambitions to be added to the Olympic programme.
