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, allegedly posted nearly 100 pornographic novels on his blog from last August until March.

The novels had received nearly 100,000 hits 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. But he never received the 150 yuan the website promised, 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 online pornography, a move to clean the Internet and mobile communication. Police have since closed 1,450 websites and deleted more than 30,000 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) and two week 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: China Daily/Xinhua