Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Between Dec 30 and 31, 300 masters from 10 schools displayed their prowess in 30 different martial arts styles at the 2017 Xiangzhou District Martial Arts Cultural Festival.

Participants aged seven to 70 showed off movements from the Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Kunlun and other Chinese kungfu schools at Xiangzhou's Ningxi Cultural Plaza.

Sponsored by the Xiangzhou District Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, this year's cultural event also included a kick boxing competition where contestants fought against each other in free combat (Sanda), Muay Thai, taekwondo and a range of other sports throughout the preliminary rounds.

Among those who made it through to the next round were Chen Weimin from a Zhuhai boxing association in the 56 kg class, Chen Yonghai from Xiangzhou's Wushu Sanda association in the 68 kg class, Li Yuxuan from Zhuhai's Thai boxing association in the 60 kg class, and Zhang Lingfeng and Xiao Lipeng from a Zhongshan martial art club in the 63 kg class.

According to an official, the event was organized to publicize martial arts as a new approach to improve general fitness and public health levels.

Taichi (or taijiquan), a Chinese martial art is performed by a group of martial artists from different ages.

Chinese dramatic art Face-Changing as part of Sichuan Opera is performed during the 2017 Xiangzhou District Martial Arts Cultural Festival held from Dec 30 to 31, 2017.

Boxers stage free combat. [Photos courtesy xzfamily.com]