( CNN ) -- Thousands of supporters have donated money to outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in order to pay a 15 million yuan ( $ 2.3 million ) tax bill from the Chinese government . The controversial artist has already received more than 6,000,000 yuan ( $ 958,000 ) from more than 22,200 people . While many have sent money via post and the internet , other have resorted to rather unconventional methods -- folding bank notes into paper planes and throwing them into Ai 's garden at night . Speaking to CNN , Ai Weiwei said people were using their donations to make a political statement . `` They would say we support you , we 've never had a chance to express . This is such unfairness . It 's not a fine to you but to us all , '' he said . How Ai Weiwei became an Internet master . Ai received the $ 2.3 million tax bill on November 1 and was given 15 days to pay . It comes after the artist was detained by authorities in April on the grounds of tax evasion . Ai has called the actions by Chinese authorities a `` retaliation against a dissident '' and says he has no choice but to pay the bill . `` They [ the Chinese authorities ] said if I pay it means I accept the accusation , '' he said . `` But if you do n't pay they can accuse you of another crime . `` Either way you 're not going to be out . We ca n't stop to argue , we ca n't appeal , we ca n't go to the court , '' he continued . The outpouring of support and donations has come as a surprise to the artist who said he never asked for money . He has also stressed he will pay back `` every penny . '' `` We did n't expect so many people to be involved in it , '' he said . `` Over 20,000 people in the past few days send money , this has never happened . It 's unthinkable in this nation 's history . Interviewing Ai Weiwei , by Kristie Lu Stout . On his Google+ page , Ai has detailed various payment channels for the donations which include cash , PayPal , China Construction Bank , and the Chinese third-party payment network Alipay . As well as support Ai says he has received further unwelcome attention from authorities , with an increased police presence around his compound in Beijing . `` There is much tighter control and armed police follow me . Also , I have to see them every other day , '' he said . Kristie Lu Stout contributed to this report .
Over 20,000 people have made donations to help Ai to pay tax bills . The $ 2.3 million donation was issued after Ai was accused of tax evasion . More than $ 958,000 has been raised so far . Ai : ` ` bills are a political statement ''