An explosion has taken place outside of the US embassy in Beijing, police have confirmed.

The blast occurred after a bomb was detonated at the south-east corner of the embassy compound in the capital city at about 1pm local time, according to a US embassy spokesperson.

'According to the embassy’s regional security officer, there was one individual who detonated a bomb. Other than the bomber, no people were injured and there was no damage to embassy property. The local police responded,' the spokesperson told MailOnline.

Beijing police later issued a statement on Weibo which said a 26-year-old male by the surname of Jiang had been arrested at the intersection of Tianze Road and Anjia Road, which is near the embassy.

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A large amount of smoke and a number of police vehicles were seen outside the embassy

Police said that man ignited a firecracker-like device and was injured in the process

Other than the bomber, no people were injured, according to a US spokesperson

Chinese police said that the bomb suspect is from Tongliao city in eastern Inner Mongolia

Police said that the man from Tongliao city in eastern Inner Mongolia ignited a firecracker-like device and was injured in the process.

He was then restrained and taken to hospital for treatment, police said, adding that the incident is under investigation.

MailOnline understands that the embassy is operating normally.

Chaoyang district, where the US embassy is located, is one of Beijing's busiest areas and is home to all foreign embassies to China expect for those of Russia and Luxembourg.

Police taping off an area around what appears to be a damaged car near the embassy

An explosion has taken place outside the US Embassy in Beijing, according to eyewitnesses

Earlier reports say that Chinese police took away a woman who sprayed herself with gasoline

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told Global Times that the incident was 'an isolated public security incident' and that the Chinese police had handled it in a timely and proper manner.

Footage has emerged showing police frantically taping off an area around what appears to be a damaged patrol car.

Another video shows a large amount of smoke and a number of police vehicles outside the vast structure in the Chinese capital's north-east while witnesses said they felt 'tremors'.

The location appeared to be near where Chinese citizens typically line up to enter the US embassy for visa interviews.

The location of the explosion appeared to be near where Chinese citizens typically line up to enter the US embassy for visa interviews

Witnesses said they felt 'tremors' when the blast occurred at about 1pm local time

Investigation: Witnesses said they heard an explosion near the US Embassy and felt tremors

Police collect evidence at the scene after a bomb was detonated near the embassy

Chinese paramilitary police patrolling outside the US embassy compound after the blast

Earlier, state newspaper Global Times said police 'took away a woman spraying gasoline on herself in suspected attempt at self-immolation' at around 11am.

Another witness said there were seven to eight police vehicles near the embassy and the road next to the complex had been closed off.

Staff at the Indian and South Korean embassies near the US compound said they were unaware of any unusual incident and were working as normal.

China and the US are in the middle of a trade dispute, but America remains a hugely popular destination for travel, education and immigration for Chinese people.