Tianqi Lithium president leaves embattled Chinese firm

China’s Tianqi Lithium Corp said its president Vivian Wu has left the company, as the indebted producer of a key commodity for electric-vehicle batteries looks for a way out of a perilous financial situation.

Wu, who had been with the Chengdu-based firm since 2011, submitted a written resignation to Tianqi’s board of directors on Wednesday, saying she was stepping down as president and director for personal reasons, according to a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange dated Friday.

Tianqi founder and chairman Jiang Weiping will assume the duties of president until a new appointment is made, the statement said. Wu’s term was not due to expire until 2023.