The contemporary Wushu event Nanquan is a modern style created in 1960 derived from martial arts derived in the Chinese provinces south of the Yangtze River and predominantly those styles popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang.

The basis of contemporary Nanquan hail primarily from traditional Cantonese family styles of Hong (Hung), Li (Lei), Liu (Lau), Mo (Mok) and Cai (Choi) along with their more contemporary Kung Fu variants of Choi Lei Fut and Hung Ga.

Contemporary Nanquan moves feature vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances, extensive hand techniques and a vocal articulation called fasheng ("release shout") which is the predecessor of the Japanese and Korean martial arts kiai.

Power is driven from sharp waist movement with special emphasis on fast stance transition to generate power and speed in the arms. Signature hand techniques of Nanquan are the consecutive downward strikes of the left and right fist called Gua Gai Quan, and consecutive upper cut while driving forward called Paoquan.

There are relatively few kicks in Nanquan although the Tengkong Pantui Cepu (flying cross legs kick and land on the side) and Li Yu Da Ting (carp skip-up) are very common in advanced Nanquan routines.

Nanquan also has its own contemporary weapons - the Southern Broadsword (Nandao) and Southern Staff (Nangun), which were included in the International Wushu competition in 1999.

In 2003, the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) changed the rules of contemporary Nanquan to make jumping techniques mandatory in Nanquan routines.

Jump kicks spinning in mid-air between 360 and 720 degrees before touching the ground are now used in all Nanquan forms along with Stationary Back Flip and Single Step Back Tuck for advanced competitors.