China are historically the most successful Asian nation in women's football, winning the continental Cup a record eight times prior to this year's edition in India.

However, they finished third in 2014 and 2018, and it had been 16 years since they last secured the Asian title with victory on penalties against hosts Australia.

South Korea, meanwhile, were appearing in the final for the first time, and were on course for further history as they took a 2-0 lead by half-time at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Lee Geum-min squared for Choe Yu-ri to put South Korea in front with the 100^th goal of this year's tournament, before a video assistant referee review went in their favour in the dying embers of the first half as Yao Lingwei was deemed to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

Ji So-yun converted the resulting spot-kick to put her country in control.

Shui Qingxia made a double change at half-time in an attempt to spark a Chinese comeback, with Xiao and Zhang Rui replacing Lou Jiahui and Wu Chengshu.

China were awarded a penalty of their own with 22 minutes remaining after a handball by Lee Young-ju, with Tang Jiali doing the necessary to halve the deficit.

Four minutes later, they were level when Tang beat two defenders before crossing for Zhang Linyan to head home.

Zhu Yu pulled off a fine save to prevent South Korea from retaking the lead, and China pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win when Wang Shanshan played in Xiao, who calmly finished to win the Women's Asian Cup.

Wang was named as Most Valuable Player after the conclusion of the final, with Zhou taking the Best Goalkeeper award.

The two finalists, as well semi-finalists Japan and the Philippines, were already assured of their places at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Earlier in the day at the same venue, Vietnam beat Chinese Taipei 2-1 to book their sport via the playoffs.

Chương Thị Kiều fired Vietnam into an early lead, only for Su Yu-hsuan to equalise shortly after half-time.

The winner arrived on 56 minutes when Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy blasted into the net, securing a berth at the World Cup for the first time.

Vietnam topped a three-team playoff round-robin which also included Thailand.

Chinese Taipei and Thailand have entered the inter-confederation playoffs.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain was pleased with how the Women's Asian Cup panned out.

"The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 marked another successful celebration of women’s football on the continent," Shaikh Salman said.

"Fans from around the world watched Asia’s leading teams in action that culminated with China PR being crowned as champions.

"In every edition, new stars have emerged from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and teams continue to set new milestones as we’ve witnessed in the final as well as the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s historic qualifications to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a feat that will certainly be celebrated widely in their countries."