A new office has been set up in Beijing to lead a new round of clampdown on prostitution, drugs trafficking, and illegal gambling in the city, the Beijing police announced on Monday.

The crackdown aims to sweep away sexual services and other illegal activities hidden in the capital' s rented apartments, hair salons, massage parlors, and entertainment businesses, said the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau in a statement.

"The set-up of the office shows our unswerving determination to fight against the illegal activities," it said.

The crackdown is the latest move in a long-term anti-pornography-and-criminality campaign that started in April in Beijing and later spread across China.

The campaign culminated in the closing of four prominent nightclubs in Beijing and the apprehension of over 500 escort women in May.

In August, all employees in Beijing' s entertainment venues were issued identity cards, considered to be a major step in tightening supervision of the entertainment industry.

The continuous efforts have achieved significant progress, said the statement. Officials note that the past six months have reported far fewer cases than in previous years.