Chinese police have smashed a major human trafficking ring and rescued 36 children who were abducted to be sold, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said.

According to the MPS, police in east China's Fujian Province received information in May this year about a suspect surnamed Tan who was believed to be involved in child trafficking.

As the investigation unfolded, a major child trafficking ring spanning seven provinces and municipalities was revealed.

The police say the ring, allegedly led by two suspects named Xiong and Hou and operated by Tan and another suspect Zhang, has been responsible for the trafficking of dozens of infants since 2014.

A coordinated "recent" raid by police from Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan provinces arrested 157 suspects connected to the ring, according to the MPS.

A MPS statement said that China has "zero tolerance" to trafficking of women and children, and will continue to pursue traffickers.

The ministry will also target "buyers" in human trafficking cases, it said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2016)