'Kwansformer': More Than Meets the Eye

BEIJING, Aug. 31, 2010 -- Chinese knockoffs of western products are commonplace — Hi-Phones and iPeds, anyone?

But a 32-feet tall "Kwansformer" wielding a giant Green Dragon Crescent Blade doesn't fit into the knockoff category.

Created by Bi Heng, a student at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), this magnificent statue combines the western Transformers franchise with traditional elements of Chinese culture — in two tons of patriotic expression.

"My piece reflects China's current situation," Bi, 26, told ABC News. "We have 5,000 years of culture — we shouldn't be ashamed of our rich history."

Bi used parts from a Chinese Jiefang CA-10 military vehicle to build his statue of legendary Chinese general Guan Yu (also spelled Kwan Yu) for a school project. "Jiefang" is also the name of Heng's Kwansformer, which means "revolution."

"In 5,000 years of history, Guan Yu was the first character to come to mind," Bi said. "His legendary red face, green armor and large knife... I didn't plan to build him, but the idea came to me, so I thought why question it?"

According to legend, Guan Yu played a pivotal role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) — immortalized in the Chinese literary classic, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

"If I built a dragon statue, it wouldn't have the same effect," Bi said.

The Jiefang truck also has a profound cultural significance. As the first automobile in China, Bi said it represents Chinese strength.