The man covering Beijing in 100 dragons

Qi Xinghua's work incorporates many Chinese elements. [Photo provided to China Daily]

He has been spotted by public security officials while spraying a few times, he says.

"Usually they are just very interested in my painting and ask me questions about it."

Qi ascribes their reaction partly to the nature of street art itself.

"Street art displays a love for the world," he says passionately. "It's different from graffiti, which doesn't consider its interaction with the environment. Street art is delicately created for a specific place."

This is certainly true of Qi, who gives an extraordinary amount of thought to how his work will be received by the community. Right now, he confesses, he is having some trouble with his dragons.

"In the past, I've always painted my dragons black and white," he says. "But people keep asking me, why don't you paint with more color? So, I've been studying ways to add more color."

This dedication is partly cultural – "Chinese philosophy is humble," he says – but it also comes from Qi's feeling that he should act as an ambassador for street art in China.

"I feel like my street work has more significance [than my 3D work], because it may be able to change people's opinion of street art," he says.

"Street art has just 10 years’ history in China; it's difficult for the general public to understand. But today it's getting huge media attention. Perhaps this is the first time Chinese people have embraced this kind of art."