Interpol head missing: Matter of France and China, says International police group

International police group Interpol said on Friday it was aware of reports of the "alleged disappearance" of its president Meng Hongwei and said the issue was a matter for the relevant authorities in France and China.

French police said on Friday they had opened an investigation after Meng's wife reported him missing following a trip to his native China last week. Interpol is based in the French city of Lyon.

"This is a matter for the relevant authorities in both France and China," Interpol's press office said in a statement, adding that the organisation's secretary general, not Meng, was responsible for the day-to-day running of Interpol.

"Interpol's General Secretariat headquarters will not comment further."