Haier Group, the mainland's largest home-appliance maker, is seeking to spin off its computer division as early as 2009 and will probably choose a listing in Shanghai rather than Hong Kong, according to a report.
The Qingdao-based company yesterday declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Hong Kong-listed Haier Electronics Group also did not comment as the unit represents only the parent's washing-machine and water-heater businesses.
A senior manager with Haier Group said the company would spin off its computer business in 2009 or 2010 for a listing in the A-share market, according to a China Business News report yesterday.
The separate listing of the computer division, a venture between Haier Group and a Taiwanese partner, would not include assets of the group's television division, the manager was quoted as saying.
In 2003, Haier formed a US$20 million equal joint venture with Global Brands Manufacture, a Taiwanese printed circuit board maker that is a subsidiary of Pouchen Group, to make computers in Shanghai.