Qiao?Hong, former general manager of the maker of the famous Chinese liquor Maotai, has been arrested for allegedly taking bribes that may top more than 10 million yuan (US$1.41 million), Caijing Magazine reported yesterday on its Website.

Qiao, 54, was arrested by the end of last year, the report said, citing Liao Jianyu, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of China of Guizhou Province, the report said.

Ji Keliang, chairman of Maotai Group, who is now attending the ongoing first session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC)?in Beijing, told the magazine he didn't know about the arrest. Yuan Renguo, who replaced Qiao as the head of Shanghai-listed Maotai Co, was not available for comment, the report said.

Prosecutors are still probing and collecting evidence. A court date has not been decided yet, the report said.

Liao estimated that the number of bribes Qiao had taken was "no less than 10 million yuan," the report said.

The report added that Qiao's brother, Qiao Jianhua, was also arrested. Their wives and Qiao Hong's son have been released.

Qiao Hong is suspected of taking bribes from sponsors during the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, authorities said. Qiao Hong reportedly organized a trip to the World Cup for outstanding salespeople and other top company employees.

Qiao Hong, who previously served as deputy director of the Guizhou Provincial Bureau of Light Industry, was appointed general manager of Moutai in August 2000.

He left the company to become deputy director of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the State Assets Administration on May 11. He has been cooperating with authorities since that time, said the report.

(Shanghai Daily March 4, 2008)