Hangzhou Wahaha Group will take over its joint venture with Groupe Danone SA and negotiate a price for the French company's exit, the South China Morning Post reported, citing Chairman Zong Qinghou.

Danone is seeking between 800 million euros and 1.7 billion euros (US$2.7 billion) to quit the venture, a price Zong called "too high and unreasonable," according to the report.

The Chinese company's head declined to put a value on Danone's exit or say when he expects negotiations to end. Danone may sever links with Wahaha amid a trademark dispute, the Les Echos newspaper wrote on May 22.

Zong was unavailable and the company declined to comment any further.

(Shanghai Daily May 25,2008)