Beijing police have arrested an Internet author for allegedly distributing pornographic novels in the first case of its kind in the Chinese capital.

The author surnamed Li, a driver for a private company, posted nearly 100 allegedly pornographic novels on his blog from last August till March.

The novels had received nearly 100,000 clicks before police received complaints in April, a spokesman with Beijing Public Security Bureau said without revealing the man's full name.

PKsina.com.cn, the website on which Li registered his blog entitled "Dim Moonlight", had promised to pay authors a commission on advertising revenue if their blogs attracted a certain number of readers, Li said.

But he never received the 150 yuan the website promised him, Li allegedly told police.

He was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of spreading Internet pornography.

The government launched a campaign last month to restrict the spread of on-line pornography, a move to "purify" the Internet and mobile communication. Police have since closed 1,450 websites and deleted more than 30,000 allegedly obscene messages.

Beijing has banned sending obscene text messages or pictures via mobile phone. Those who are caught doing so face a fine of up to 3,000 yuan (385 dollars) and two weeks detention. Those who sell obscene content face jail terms from six months to three years under China's criminal law and the law on public security administration.

Source: Xinhua