China had lost 3-0 to Japan in their opening game and the team's state of siege was underlined by coach Sun Wei's decision to drop first choice goalkeeper Wang Dalei who had blasted the country's demanding fans as 'morons' after being widely attacked for his performance against Japan.
The decisive goal against Kyrgyzstan sets up a winner-takes-all clash with Malaysia on Saturday to secure an automatic qualifying place alongside Group A rivals Japan.
The Japanese side made sure of their place in the next stage with a 2-0 win over the Malaysians earlier in the day.
North Korea also reached the second round with a 3-0 win over the Palestinian territories, a victory which kept up their 100-percent record in Group C.
In Group C, South Korea made amends for their upset defeat to neighbours North Korea by thrashing Jordan 4-0.
In Group B, 2002 champions Iran edged Bahrain 1-0 thanks to a late first-half goal from Karim Ansari to visrtally wrap-up a second round spot.
Turkmenistan romped to a 6-2 win over Vietnam in the day's other game.
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