APPLE Inc is in talks to buy Handseeing Information Technology Co, an executive of the Chinese Internet game developer said yesterday.

Tian Bo, deputy general manager of Handseeing, said that the two parties are now negotiating the acquisition price and other details.

When asked to comment on earlier reports of a US$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, he said.

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

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

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