Prostitution and gambling in Beijing have been reduced to their lowest levels in eight years since a major crackdown launched by police eight months ago, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.

Beijing Police said that prostitution and gambling incidents in 2010 were down 52.2 percent compared with 2009, reaching the lowest levels since 2003.

Since the crackdown on the sex industry got underway on April 11, 2010, Beijing police have shut down 66 illegal entertainment venues and broken up 1,040 criminal gangs, including 143 prostitution rings.

On May 11, 2010, Beijing police swooped down on four of the city's biggest nightclubs, arresting 557 female escorts and ordering the nightclubs to suspend business for six months, according to the Beijing News.

However, the Beijing News reported that Huadu nightclub, one of the four establishments ordered to suspend business last year, opened again early this month and still employs female escorts.

A member of staff at Huadu surnamed Li told the Global Times Sunday that the nightclub does not offer paid female companion services, insisting that it mainly provides food and drinks, and puts on stage performances for customers.

Zi Xiangdong, spokesman for the Beijing Public Security Bureau, told the Global Times that police did not know the exact services the nightclub was offering.