"Details regarding the introduction of strategic investors and the terms of a potential deal have not been finalised," China Eastern Airlines said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Related readings:  S'pore Air set to buy 25% of China Eastern - Caijing

China's state-run Caijing magazine reported last week that struggling China Eastern was set to sell a 25-percent stake to Singapore Airlines via an offer of new shares in a deal likely to be worth around one billion dollars.

Analysts have said the deal would provide a much needed lifeline to loss-making China Eastern and give the Singaporean carrier a key foothold in China, home to one of the biggest and fastest growing airline markets in the world.

Caijing magazine later reported the Singaporean government's investment arm Temasek would also have a minority stake in China Eastern.

An unnamed official with China Eastern said earlier the Shanghai-based carrier was still seeking approval from the Chinese government for the stake sale.

China Eastern Thursday declined to be specific when asked if there was any problem with getting the green light from the Chinese government.

"We still have a lot of work to do," said Luo Zhuping, a China Eastern spokesman.

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