BEIJING, October 4, 2013 (AFP) - Korda ended the tournament's second round on a total of 132, two shots ahead of China's Feng Shanshan and Stacy Lewis of the US, who tied for second place at 134.
Feng surged on the competition's second day, shooting a sizzling nine-under par 64, while Lewis fired an impressive seven-under 66.
The $1.8 million tournament -- the LPGA's first in China -- is being played at the par-73 Jack Nicklaus-designed Reignwood Pine Valley Golf Club near Beijing.
South Korean Choi Na-Yeon, who shared the lead with Korda after the first round, slipped to fourth place after shooting a two-under par 71 for a two-day total of 135, three shots off the lead.
World number one-ranked Park In-Bee, also of South Korea, carded a five-under par 68 for a total of 137, good enough for sole possession of fifth place.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association is holding the tournament in conjunction with the China Golf Association and China LPGA.
The 81-player field includes a total of 18 Chinese golfers.
Leading second-round scores:
132 - Jessica Korda (USA) 64-68
134 - Feng Shanshan (CHN) 70-64, Stacy Lewis (USA) 68-66
135 - Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 64-71
137 - Park In-Bee (KOR) 69-68
138 - Lin Xiyu (CHN) 72-66, Mo Martin (USA) 70-68
139 - Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 71-68, Karrie Web (AUS) 71-68
140 - Vicky Hurst (USA) 73-67, Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 71-69, Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 70-70, Paola Moreno (COL) 69-71, Amy Yang (KOR) 69-71