China Southern Airlines Co., one of China's three major carriers, said Monday that one of its board directors has been arrested by the police.

Police have arrested Peng Anfa, a board director of the company, the airline said in a statement.

Southern Airlines, which is based in the southern city of Guangzhou, didn't disclose the specific reason for the arrest, but said Peng's "alleged violation of laws has nothing to do with the company."

The airline has shares that are traded in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. It did not issue a statement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, although in an announcement that its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines was buying three Boeing 787s last week it noted that Peng had not participated in the board meeting to discuss the purchase.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 15, 2005)