BEIJING. Dec 31: Chinese •Prime Minister Li Peng and his wife. Zhu Lin. have denied any involvement in a financial scandal surrounding the Great Wall Electronics Company. China's Talents magazine reported yesterday. reports AFP.

"Before the scandal erupted. I never heard of the Great Wall

Company." Li said in an interview with the magazine." ft was only after the first accusations that I learned of this company."

This was the first time that the prime minister publicly refuted any implication in the financial scandal, which involved several million dollar.

Great Wall electronics and machinery tried to make up for heavy losses by illegally issuing 170 million dollar worth of bonds offering an Incredible 43 percent interest. More than 100.000 investors lost money In the affair.

In August, when the government launched its anti-corruption campaign, rumors waved that the prime minister's family was involved in the scandal.

"We never bought stocks and never accepted cash gifts." Zhu .Unsaid.

U added, "when I looked into the case and saw the number of people who were swindled. I immediately ordered that sanctions be taken against the guilty."

Wille clearing himself, the ' prime minister indirectly accused the former Bank of China governor. U Guixlan, of having been mixed up in the scandal in some way.

"It was only after learning of the accusations against comrade U Guixlan that I started to pay attention to this affair." he added.

The bank governor was replaced in July by Deputy Prime Minister Zhu Rongji. No formal charges have so far been brought against him.