China reclaimed gold in the men's team gymnastics on Tuesday with a dominant performance on the rings and vault.

The home favourites recovered from a slow start to tally 286.125 points, blowing away Japan (278.875) and the United States (275.870).

They reclaim the medal won by China in Sydney in 2000 before the team failed to finish in the top three four years ago in Athens. Three members of the team which won on Tuesday - Huang Xu, Yang Wei and Li Xiaopeng - are veterans of the Sydney success.

Although they disappointed early on in the floor exercise and pommel, China were untouchable later in the event as Chen Yibing scored 16.575, Yang registered 16.300 and Huang scored 16.000 on the rings.

They also won the vault event, led by Li's scored of 16.775.

Huang, Yang and Li then all scored more than 16 points on the parallel bars to lock up gold for China.

Japan's challenge for the gold medal fell apart on the vault, where they ended up finishing as the last place team.

That disappointment opened the door for the United States to snatch silver, but poor performances from Joey Hagerty on the floor exercise and Kevin Tan on the pommel left the Americans to settle for bronze.

However, the American effort will be seen as a success in light of the absence of the injured Hamm brothers.

"No one thought we could (win a team medal)," Justin Spring said. "Deep down, we knew we could do it. We never doubted ourselves and it happened."