Fellow Hong Kong stars Ng On-yee and Cheung Ka-wai were both knocked out in the qualifiers, which were held over three days at Mattioli Arena.
Meanwhile some of the world’s best players – including Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and reigning world champion Zhao Xintong – will begin their round of 128 in Wuhan.
Fu, who reached the last 32 of the tournament last year, took on world number 16 Chris Wakelin on the final day of qualifiers in Leicester.
Local favourite Wakelin went 2-0 up in the best-of-nine affair, before Fu replied with breaks of 120, 68 and 136 to move 3-2 ahead.
After the Briton restored parity with a run of 59, Fu responded with his third century of 113 to close out the win in convincing fashion.
Three-time women’s champion Ng, on the other hand, fell 5-3 to China’s Lei Peifan, while Cheung was unable to overcome Britain’s David Gilbert in a 5-1 defeat.
The main tournament is scheduled for August 24 to 30.