Martial arts as a unifying force, transcending cultural boundaries

For 65-year-old bajiquan master Liu Lianjun, the ancient Chinese martial art has helped him forge close ties with his Russian apprentices.

Anton Andreev, 36, is Liu's closest Russian apprentice. Liu is the principal of Qingxian Pangu Martial Arts School in Cangzhou, in North China's Hebei province.

The two have interacted frequently, with Andreev sometimes studying martial arts in Qingxian county, where the school is located, and sometimes inviting Liu to Russia for guidance.