Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd., the Hong Kong-listed arm of China¡¯s largest appliance maker, on Monday played down media speculation that its long-planned acquisition of a stake in a Shanghai-listed sister firm was in doubt.

Haier Electronics, which makes top-loading washing machines, also said that its target, Qingdao Haier Co. Ltd., had no plans to list in Hong Kong ¡ª a move that could split investor attention for one of China¡¯s best-known consumer brands globally, but which still lacks a listed flagship.

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