Visiting martial artists from BRICS countries visited their Chinese counterparts at Ersha Sports Training Center in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on June 19, during the holding of the inaugural BRICS Games.

Chinese martial arts, or wushu, has become increasingly popular over the past few decades thanks to global movie stars such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

The 2017 BRICS Games, similar to the Commonwealth Games, sees athletes from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa compete against each across a range of different sports, including wushu.

The visiting martial artists toured the training center and observed daily routines and performances from their Chinese peers.

A Russian wushu athlete practices Nanquan with his Chinese counterparts in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on June 19. [Photo by Zhang Ziwang/southcn.com]

The athletes compared skills and practiced two styles of martial arts–Nanquan and Taijiquan.

Nanquan, or Southern Fist, is a fast, aggressive fighting style originating from just south of the Yangtze River. Taijiquan, or tai chi, features slow body movements and emphasizes physical fitness and psychological health.

Athletes practice traditional martial arts, or wushu, at Ersha Sports Training Center in Guangdong province on June 19. [Photo by Zhang Ziwang/southcn.com]

Wang Erping, former coach of the Chinese wushu team, welcomed the overseas guests.

"Athletes from each BRICS member country are welcome to Guangzhou, to gain a deep understanding of Chinese martial arts as well as Lingnan culture," Wang said.

BRICS is an economic bloc of countries comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The 2017 BRICS Games takes place from June 17 to 21.

Chinese wushu athletes teach peers from BRICS countries Taijiquan during the exchange event held in Guangzhou, on June 19. [Photo by Zhang Ziwang/southcn.com]