French police are investigating the “disturbing disappearance” of the president of international police agency Interpol after he was reported missing.

Chinese-born Meng Hongwei, 64, a former vice-minister of public security in China, was appointed Interpol president in 2016 for a four-year term and had been residing in Lyon where the agency’s headquarters are based.

His wife reportedly contacted local police after not hearing from her husband since he travelled to China on September 29.

A source has told the South China Morning Post Mr Meng was “taken away” for questioning by discipline authorities “as soon as he landed in China” last week.

Why Mr Meng is being investigated or exactly where he is being held is not clear, according to the paper.

Interpol said on Friday it was aware of reports of Mr Meng’s “alleged disappearance” and that the issue was a matter for the relevant authorities in France and China, the paper reported.

French radio Europe 1 first reported his disappearance on October 4 after a source said his wife contacted police to say she had received threats “via social networks and by telephone”.

In a statement, the French Interior Ministry said it was concerned about the “disturbing disappearance” of Mr Meng and the threats to his wife.

“On the evening of October 4th, the police were informed by his wife about the disturbing disappearance of Hongwei Meng” … [and] “to have recently received threats via social networks and by telephone,” Europe 1 reported.

It is believed he may have disappeared as early as September 25.

Interpol’s main function is to provide a mechanism for police forces in different countries to notify each other of wanted suspects.

Rights groups expressed concern at the time that Beijing might try to use Mr Meng’s position at the body to go after dissidents abroad.

Beijing has tried for many years to enlist the help of foreign countries to arrest and deport back to China citizens it accuses of crimes including corruption and terrorism.

China’s Ministry of Public Security could not be reached for comment, 
Reuters reported.

-with AAP