China: US brewing giant Anheuser-Busch Inc is in talks with Shandong Jinan Beer Group Co Ltd for the possible purchase of a stake in the east China brewer, Jinan Beer manager Wang Yi said. Wang did not give details of the proposed sale to the brewer of Budweiser beer, saying both sides are still studying the feasibility of the project, AFX News Limited posted on April 5. Anheuser-Busch officials declined to comment.

Wang told AFX-Asia the sale is part of a reform of state enterprises owned by the government of Jinan, capital of Shandong province. Wang said he expects Jinan beer group to finish its restructuringIbefore October. "We will discloseEall the details then," he said.

06 April, 2004