China captain Zheng Zhi must wait for his 100th cap after being left out of Marcello Lippi's squad for next month's East Asian Championships in Japan.
Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Zheng, who has played 98 times for China, is not part of the 23-man selection.
Clubmates Feng Xiaoteng, Gao Lin, Zeng Cheng and Yu Hanchao are also among those not selected by Lippi.
Shanghai SIPG's Wei Shihao is one of four uncapped players called up after the 22-year-old impressed in the final weeks of the Chinese Super League season.
Tianjin Teda striker Yang Liyu, Tianjin Quanjian's Liu Yiming and He Chao of Chongqing Lifan were also selected.
Asian Player of the Year nominee Wu Lei of SIPG, meanwhile, has also been left out.
The tournament, which kicks off on Dec. 9, will also feature South Korea and North Korea, with games being played at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium. It runs until Dec. 16.
China squad:
Yu Dabao (Beijing Sinbo Guo'an), Deng Hanwen (Beijing Renhe), He Chao (Changchun Yatai), Li Xuepeng, Zhang Linpeng, Zhang Wenzhao, Zheng Long (Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao), Jiang Zhipeng, Xiao Zhi (Guangzhou R&F), Gao Zhunyi, Yin Hongbo, Zhao Yuhao (Hebei China Fortune), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Suning), Shi Xiaotian (Liaoning Whowin), Wang Dalei, Zheng Zheng (Shandong Luneng), Fu Huan, He Guan, Wei Shihao, Yan Junling (Shanghai SIPG), Yang Liyu (Tianjin Teda), Liu Yiming, Zhao Xuri (Tianjin Quanjian)