Beijing, Jun 21 (IANS): Martial arts experts from China and India met at the Shaolin Temple, famous as one of the holy sites of the art of Kung fu, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Twelve Indian martial arts experts from the Nithya Chaithanya Kalari Indian martial arts training centre, founded in 1993 by Murugan Gurakal, performed Kalaripayattu Sunday alongside monks of the Shaolin Temple, who performed Kung fu.

"Shaolin Kung fu is the father of Chinese martial arts and Kalari is the mother of Indian martial arts," Murugan Gurakal, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Gurakal hoped his countrymen could learn a lot from Shaolin Kung fu.

The Indian experts performed Kalarippayattu styles like long stick fighting, knife fighting, sword, shield and flexible swords, while the Shaolin monks performed Kung fu including Tung Chi Gong, Er-zhi-zen and Eighteen Weapons.

Shi Yanhao, a monk who performed Tiger Fist, said he was "happy to see the mysterious Indian martial arts".