Shenzhen police Tuesday arrested four of six suspects over the murder of former Phoenix TV vice-president Zhou Yinan and his family.

Preliminary evidence suggested that Zhou and his family were slain when trying to resist six burglars in their house in Futian district last week.

All of the arrested are from Hubei Province in Central China. One of the suspects is a friend, who often play mahjong at Zhou's home.

Police say that the suspect who knew Zhou through mahjong-playing is the one who arranged the burglary.

Believing Zhou was wealthy, he planned the burglary with his five native Hubei friends.

They broke into Zhou's house and knifed Zhou and his wife, his four-year-old daughter, a 16-year-old nanny and an accountant of Zhou. The suspects then took away the money and valuables from Zhou's house.

The tragedy was uncovered last Thursday night after neighbours complained of a foul smell from Zhou's house. All of the victims sustained serious stab wounds.

Zhou used to work for China Wise International under China Central Television.

He joined the Phoenix board in 1996 when China Wise bought a 10 per cent stake in the broadcaster. He left the TV station in 1999.

Phoenix TV Tuesday issued a statement expressing sadness over Zhou's death.

(China Daily HK Edition June 1, 2004)