BEIJING, Nov. 3  -- A total of 2,172 websites have been closed for spreading pornography in a nationwide crackdown since February, Chinese authorities said Thursday.

The campaign, which was launched by the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications, aims to create a "clean" cyberspace and better manage markets surrounding schools where illegal publications are sold, according to a statement released by the office.

Over 1.16 million publications that are illegal for children were seized and more than 400 cases involving the sale of such publications have been solved, including over 80 criminal cases, it said.

Officials with the office said this year saw an increase in such cases and more minors were involved compared with previous years.

Anti-pornography authorities in Beijing and Zhejiang have investigated several online chat service providers for spreading pornographic and harmful information, it said.

The anti-pornography office has pledged to harshly crack down on online pornography and create a "clean" cyberspace for young Internet users.