A man suspected of damaging seven Japanese cars in Beijing has been arrested, according to police.

Police received a report on Sept 20 that seven Japanese cars were vandalized near a residential building in the Dongcheng district of the capital.

The suspect surnamed Li, 37, from Langfang city, Hebei province, was arrested on Sept 23 and admitted the crime.

Police say Li damaged the parked Japanese cars to "teach the owner a lesson" to boycott Japanese goods.

Protests flared up in 80 Chinese cities on September 15 and 16, just days after the Japanese government "purchased" the Diaoyu Islands.

Some of the protests turned violent, resulting in damage to Japanese cars and businesses, forcing some to close for several days.

Police said some protesters deliberately disturbed public order and committed vandalism.