A production company which produced the historical drama Lady of the Dynasty confirmed on Thursday that a sex scene was removed from the film, after it was leaked and posted online.

The film, released Thursday, depicts the affair between Yang Yuhuan, who in China has been traditionally considered one of the most beautiful women in history, and an emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The deleted scene involved them having sex while on a horse, with the emperor tearing off Yang’s clothes.

“The footage was leaked after a preview on July 22. It was not the final edition meant for the debut,"a media officer from the Chinese Digital film development (Beijing) Limited Company, surnamed Jiang, told the Global Times Thursday. “We kept in the part where her clothes were torn off."

Fan Bingbing, the actress who plays Yang, is no stranger to starring in controversially sexual roles. Earlier this year, a TV historical drama also set during the Tang Dynasty, was edited to hide the actresses' cleavage.

A State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) circular stipulated that film and television scenes depicting extramarital affairs, polymorphous relationship, one-night stands, sexual abuse, or containing pornographic content should be removed, entertainment news website ent.qq.com reported in November 2014.

It also said that scenes depicting rape, extra-marital sex, necrophilia, prostitution or masturbation also should be deleted.

Fan told the media earlier this month that she believes the “sex on the horse" scene was very creative and emphasized how difficult it was to simulate sex while on a horse. She also dismissed the idea that the scene would be removed from the film, the Nandu People Weekly reported.

“We need to pay more attention to the development of Chinese film and performer and dramatic works should promote China’s core values and pass on positive energy and good and true ideas,"Jiang said.