GUANGZHOU, July 3 -- A former top political advisor of a Chinese city has been detained over suspected murder, said local police.

Lai Yicheng, 69, former chairman of the Shantou City committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told police on Wednesday afternoon that a woman had lost consciousness after he beat her up.

An ambulance rushed to the scene, but the woman died despite doctors' effortsr.

Lai has been detained by police.

The case is still being investigated.