Beijing Centergate says chairman probed in scandal

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Beijing Centergate Technologies (Holding) Co 000931.SZ said on Monday that its chairman and president was being investigated on suspicion of economic crimes, and that it could not estimate the impact on the firm's business.

Beijing police are questioning Xu Zhongmin as they probe suspected improper trading in shares of Beijing Centergate, developer of the city's Zhongguancun technology district, and Salian Commercial Co (600898.SS), the company said.

Huang Guangyu, chairman and controlling shareholder of China's top electronics retailer GOME (0493.HK), is also being investigated in the case. Huang owns Beijing Pengrun Investment Co, which controls Beijing Centergate.

Xu has deputised a director and a vice president of Beijing Centergate to run the company during the investigation, and the company will disclose developments in the case to shareholders as they occur, it said without elaborating.

Its shares have been suspended since last Monday.

($1 = 6.83 yuan)

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Kazunori Takada)