A 20-year-old man suspected of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while allegedly trying to flee the US, authorities say.

Gaoyang 'Gary' Li was taken into custody on Friday whilst 'attempting to return to China', according to a statement released by the Irvine Police Department on Wednesday.

Police say Li and the 16-year-old victim were introduced via the Chinese dating app Tan Tan last fall.

During their first meeting on September 9, 2018, Li allegedly forced the girl to perform oral sex on him.

The victim reported Li to authorities on January 29 after he contacted her again through Tan Tan and threatened to release a video of the alleged assault on social media unless she paid him, the police statement said.

Gaoyang 'Gary' Li, a 20-year-old suspect in the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday as he was 'attempting to return to China', according to a press release from the Irvine Police Department. Li allegedly met the victim through the Chinese dating app Tan Tan and forced her to perform oral sex on him last fall

Li was arrested on the University of California Irvine campus - where he is believed to be a student - on February 6 and was released two days later pending further investigation.

He was arrested again last week after detectives learned of his plans to leave the country.

The suspect is being held on $1million bail at the Orange County Jail.

Police say Li is a suspect in another sexual battery case and that there may be additional victims.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim or has information pertaining to the case is asked to contact Detective Gavin Hudson at 949-724-7168 or ghudson@cityofirvine.org.