Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China perform during the pairs short program competition at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, April 27, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Defending champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian have taken the lead after the pairs short program at the figure skating world championships, scoring an even 74.00 points.

Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the current silver holders, were in second after Wednesday's program.

Close behind in third are Russia's Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov, in their first season skating together.