The ousted and self-exiled former Brilliance China Automotive chief Yang Rong is to launch legal action to regain control of the company from the Liaoning provincial authorities.

Mr Yang has submitted a legal brief to the Hong Kong and Anhui province representatives on the Chinese National People's Congress.

The fight centres on the sale of the 39 per cent controlling stake in the company to the Liaoning provincial authorities by a central bank-backed education foundation.

But today's Financial Times cites Mr Yang's support for Brilliance to build a new car venture at Ningbo, near Shanghan - and a slap in the face for Liaoning – which is at the root of the problems. Liaoning subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest, and Mr Yang fled to the US.