China's largest consumer electronics retailer Gome said yesterday that its board of directors has suspended the executive duties of the company's founder and chairman Huang Guangyu, who was arrested in November for the alleged irregular share trading. The suspension was effective from December 23.

The company said it has not been able to contact Huang.

Huang's wife Du Juan, a director of Gome, has resigned, the company said.

In late November, Gome appointed Chen Xiao, chief executive officer, as the acting chairman. It said that the company has been on a stable course under Chen’s leadership.

The company also promoted Wang Junzhou, executive vice-president, to executive director.

(China Daily December 25, 2008)