THE Wahaha Group said yesterday in a statment the appointment of Emmanuel Faber, temporary chairman of its joint ventures with Group Danone SA is illegal.

China's largest beverage maker, which is in a feud with the French dairy giant, said the chairman should be selected from Chinese board members, according to their cooperation contracts. Faber took the position after the sudden resignation of Zong Qinghou last month following Danone's lawsuit against Wahaha after Zong allegedly set up illegal companies that are selling competitive products outside the joint ventures.