(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-20 07:28

BEIJING - A Chinese man has been detained for making a bomb hoax at a Beijing airport, local media reported Wednesday.

The man, identified only by his surname Tie, claimed that the toothpaste he was insisting that he carry on to the Shandong Airlines plane was "explosive material", when crossing the security checkpoint at the Beijing Capital International Airport, the Beijing Youth Daily said Wednesday.

According to the paper, Tie was found to be carrying a bottle of Crest toothpaste in his bag at a security check point on Monday. Violating the new regulation that banned passengers from carrying liquids onto airplanes, he was told by the inspectors to put it into the hold.

Tie, however, refused to do so and started a quarrel with the inspectors. He then claimed that his toothpaste was "explosive material," said the report.

The toothpaste was later found to be non-explosive material, said the report. Tie, however, was still detained and fined.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) issued a notice last Friday which banned passengers from taking liquids on to aircraft on domestic flights.

The industry watchdog said the move was to ensure passenger safety and property security, a top priority of airlines and airports worldwide.