The 12th China Cangzhou International Wushu Competition kicked off on Friday at Cangzhou Sports Stadium in north China's Hebei Province, drawing more than 4,000 athletes and coaches from 40 countries and regions.

Under the theme "Cangzhou and the World, United by Wushu and Dreams," martial arts enthusiasts from around the world have gathered to share their passion, skills and dreams.

The opening ceremony featured lion dances, acrobatics and distinctive wushu routines performed by international contestants. On the competition floor, martial artists moved through fluid sequences, showcasing the unique charm of traditional Chinese wushu.

The venue also featured interactive attractions, including an AI wushu screen, games and a robot apprenticeship ceremony.

"Learning wushu has been one of my greatest thing here in China because when I was a kid, (I saw) wushu films. So that is basically how much I have passion for wushu, so it also gives me passion, it also gives me the inner peace for me to do my things peacefully and comfortably," said Derick, a Ghanaian athlete.

"I think wushu is a very important part of Chinese culture. So I now know China much better," said Sirin, a Tunisian athlete.