Award-winning Chinese film director Wang Quan'an has been arrested by Beijing police last week for allegedly hiring and paying a prostitute for sex.

Authorities said on Monday that Wang, 48, was caught by police sleeping with a 31-year old prostitute in an apartment at Dongcheng district in Beijing on September 10.

According to police, the director confessed of paying the sex worker with 800 yuan (US$132) for sex

Police said Wang had contacted the woman by phone and had paid for sexual services for three straight days since September 8.

Authorities said the director also admitted to having sex with two women at the same time on the second day.

Aside from Wang, also arrested were seven women suspected of being prostitutes and an 18-year-old female charged with pimping.

Police said the director, whose case is under further investigation, might be penalized with fines and might stay under police custody for short period for administrative detention.

Though it is common, prostitution and solicitation are illegal in China.

Under Chinese law, most sex work offenses are considered administrative violations rather than criminal offense.

In recent months, Chinese authorities have embarked on a series of campaigns to eradicate drugs and prostitution, particularly involving high-profile personalities.

They have also focused on the personal lives of officials since many are being suspected of keeping and having intimate relations with mistress.

Wang, who won the prestigious Golden Bear prize for best director at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2007 for the drama film "Tuya's Marriage," is married to 28-year-old Chinese actress Zhang Yuqi.

Zhang was attending the New York Fashion Week in the United States at the time of his alleged infidelity.

On her Sina Weibo account, the actress said she believed that authorities would deal with the situation fairly.

She also thanked her supporters for the care they have shown.