The pair are becoming increasingly familiar with one another having last week met in the Ningbo International final.
Linette triumphed in three sets on that occasion and enjoyed a more comfortable success in Thursday's rematch, emerging with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 victory over an opponent who on Monday broke into the top 100 of the rankings for the first time.
Qiang pushed her opponent close in the opening set, only to be edged out in a tense tie-breaker.
Using the confidence gleaned from that, Linette romped to victory, setting up an exciting quarter-final meeting with top seed Anna-Lena Friedsam.
The German favourite worked hard to reach this stage, edging out Shahar Peer 6-3 3-6 6-2.
Friedsam was pegged back after taking the opening set, although her dominance on serve - she sent down eight aces - eventually saw her through.
There were no such dramas for Zheng Saisai and Ana Bogdan, who will meet in the last eight following respective straight-sets wins over Wang Yafan and Tamarine Tanasugarn.