Anelka, Griffiths on target

Last season's runners-u Beijing looked to be cruising to victory after taking a 2-0 lead through strikes from Piao Cheng and Evaristo Manu either side of half-time, but Shanghai hit back with two goals in four minutes just after the hour mark.

Australian Joel Griffiths, who played for Beijing last season, halved the deficit from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute and then former Real Madrid and Arsenal striker Anelka, who recently moved to China after leaving Chelsea, levelled the scores up soon after.

However, it would end up being a losing start for the former France international as Beijing took the spoils with Liu Jianqing netting an 83rd-minute winner.

Elsewhere, defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande slumped to its first loss of the new campaign after doing down 2-0 at neighbouring Guangzhou.

Zhang Shuo gave Guangzhou the lead with a 13th-minute penalty and Zhang Yuan sealed the victory with his side's second with seven minutes remaining as the promoted side made it two wins from two to sit top of the standings.

In the day's other match, Qingdao Zhongneng beat Tianjin Teda 2-1. Akpo Sodje appeared to have earned Tianjin a point when his 80th-minute strike cancelled out Zhu Jianrong's early opener for Qingdao, but the host took the spoils thanks to Liu Jian's 85th-minute penalty.