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International Tattoo Artists Gather in Beijing

Tattoos have often been associated with the underworld in China. But an international gathering in Beijing is looking to shatter this stereotype and promote tattoos as an alternative art.

Tattoo artist Zhang Xin said: "I find that more people, even middle-aged Chinese, are getting tattoos. Take my mother for instance. She felt my first tattoo was not bad, rather pretty. If she finds a design she likes, she wants one too. I think Chinese now accept tattoo as something mainstream."

One of the industry pioneers, Qi Xiaolong hopes that tattoo conventions will raise standards even further. As the organiser of International Tattoo Convention, Qi said: "In terms of skills and hygiene we are still not quite on par with the world, but this convention aims to formalise tattooing, make it an art, and make it a healthy activity, so more will understand it."