A group of Shaolin kung fu practitioners from the United States exchange martial arts skills with the kung fu monks at the South Shaolin Temple in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo by Zhu Chongfei / For chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of more than 50 Shaolin kung fu practitioners from the United States visited the South Shaolin Temple in Putian, Fujian province on Thursday, and engaged in an extensive exchange of martial arts and culture.

The group, led by David Soard, director of the Chinese Shaolin Center in the United States, exchanged martial arts skills with the temple's kung fu monks, through demonstrations of traditional Chinese boxing techniques, weapons techniques and hard qigong, a traditional breathing exercise that strengthens the body's resilience and ability to withstand external impact forces.