JD.com boss shakes a2 in takeover talk

The founder of JD.com, China's second-biggest online retailer behind Jack Ma's Alibaba, is in Australia. He has told Fairfax Media he has a strong appetite to invest in local companies.

A2 shares have surged 28 per cent to 64¢ since its biggest shareholder, Freedom Foods, has confirmed its interest in taking over the company in a partnership with US dairy giant Dean Foods.

JD.com has a relationship with a2, marketing and selling its products - including fresh milk and infant formula - in China.

Mr Liu, who is worth about $US9.4 billion ($12.3 billion), said he was interested in investing in Australian companies to guarantee the quality and supply of products to JD.com.

His company manages and sells inventory similar to Amazon.

When asked about his plans for a2, Mr Liu said: "We believe that any company that can ensure high-quality products for our consumers will be a company that we would be interested in investing. But, unfortunately at the moment, I don't have any firm news to share with you."

Sources told Fairfax Media on Tuesday that Mr Liu was exploring a partnership with a global dairy company to buy a strategic stake in a2.

JD.com has been mulling an investment in the dairy company for several weeks. The e-commerce site, which is listed on the Nasdaq and has a market capitalisation of $US46 billion, has announced partnerships with a2 and Treasury Wine Estates for its "Australian Mall", which will sell local products to China.

It wants more companies to join the platform, and will host presentations in Sydney on Wednesday.

"Chinese consumers are increasingly enthusiastic about trying, buying and using products from all over the world, and Australian products like milk and wine have long been big sellers on our platform," Mr Liu said.

Meanwhile, dairy company Murray Goulburn priced its initial public offering late on Tuesday at $2.10. The deal will raise $500 million for the new Murray Goulburn Unit Trust. The new fund will begin trading on Friday.