China shoe maker denies talks with Pierre Cardin

Published: 28 Jun 2009 19:26:35 PST

HONG KONG, June 29 - A private Chinese shoe manufacturer on Monday media reports that it was in discussions with French attire maker Pierre Cardin for a possible acquisition.

The Guangzhou Daily newspaper reported that Guangzhou Jiansheng Trading Ltd, an agent for Pierre Cardin's shoes and leather goods in China, expected talks with the French company to yield results in a month's time, citing the Chinese company's chairman Liu Jianxue. No further details were provided.

But a company spokeswoman denied reports by the newspaper and online media on the possible acquisition of Pierre Cardin.

"The report is untrue. If we have any such movement, we will make a formal statement," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.

The newspaper also quoted Europe-based Chinese-language media as saying another private Chinese company was also interested in investing in Pierre Cardin, and that the two companies were each offering 200 million euros ($281 million) for the acquisition.