A dragon designed by Gino Acevedo with wings and a body inspired by sea horses. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Gao says that, after working with Western companies, he feels it is now time for him and his Chinese peers in the film industry to look more closely at Chinese culture.

He says this is because, if you want to create a monster to meet local tastes, you need cultural context.

This view is supported by Yan Dingxian, 80, creator of the Monkey King and other monsters in the animated film Havoc in Heaven, which was made in the 1960s.

He says that it is a deep understanding of Chinese cultural elements like Peking Opera, mythologies and martial arts that made the movie popular with Chinese audiences then.

Contact the writer at dengzhangyu@chinadaily.com.cn