Beijing, Dec 14 (IANS): A Chinese official has been held for forging his marriage certificate and for having four wives and 10 children, authorities said Friday.

Li Junwen, 43, a former deputy to the Xiaodian district People's Congress of the city of Taiyuan and former head of the village of Xicuan, was arrested Saturday for allegedly forging his marriage certificate, reported Xinhua citing an announcement.

Fourteen officials who were responsible for helping Li's illegitimate children obtain residence registration, as well as failing to properly examine his legislative qualifications, were admonished, demoted or fired, the announcement said.

They include the Communist Party of China (CPC) secretary of Xiwenzhuang township, the head of the township police station and several officials in charge of family planning.

China's marriage law forbids polygamy and its one-child policy allows a second child only under special circumstances.

In May, a couple in eastern China's Zhejiang province who had a second child were fined 1.3 million yuan ($206,677).

Li married Hu Yongxian in 1989 and had four children with her. Li had six more children with three other women. Li forged a marriage certificate when helping one of the women obtain residence registration, according to an investigation.

Under family planning rules, a child born outside of marriage cannot get residence registration. However, nine of Li's children had obtained residency certificates.