Mr Wong, one of China's richest men, facing an investigation into allegations of stock manipulation and other charges, was suspended from his executive duties as of Tuesday, Gome Electrical Appliances Holdings said in a notice to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Friday.

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

The company said it deemed it in the company's 'interests' to suspend Mr Wong. Gome's chief executive officer, Chen Xiao, has been standing in for Mr Wong since late November.

Gome's shares have been suspended from trading since Nov 24 amid the investigation. Police confirmed that Mr Wong and several other company officials were being questioned, but have provided no other details.

The company says its operations have remained stable and that it did not expect the managerial changes to affect its business.

Estimates of Mr Wong's wealth vary, but he has at times topped lists of China's wealthiest people. In October, the Shanghai-based Hurun research group estimated his assets at about 43 billion yuan (S$9.1 billion). -- AP