2010-08-06 16:36

CHENGDU - Apple Inc is in talks to buy Handseeing Information Technology Co, Ltd, an executive of the Chinese Internet game developer confirmed Friday.

Tian Bo, deputy general manager of Handseeing Information Technology, told Xinhua that the two sides were negotiating the acquisition price and other details.

When asked to comment on earlier reports of a $150-million price tag, Tian said: "The acquisition price is at the core of our current talks. No final price has been yet agreed."

The acquisition talks will end before September, the executive said.

If successful, this would be the first acquisition by Apple, the US maker of popular electronic devices such as the iPhone and iPad, in China, said Tian.

However, he said, several other foreign companies had also showed interest in investing in or cooperating with Handseeing Information Technology, which is based in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

A game engineer at Handseeing said Apple might be seeking to boost its game development capabilities to better prepare for the launch of its game service, Game Center, and cash in on huge business opportunities in China.

Handseeing Information Technology, founded in 2005, has research and development bases in Chengdu and the eastern city of Suzhou. It specializes in developing rich Internet applications, particularly in online gaming.