Swire Pacific said on Friday it and joint venture partner China Eastern Airlines have held preliminary talks with Zhengzhou city airport in China's Henan province about taking a stake in the facility.

Swire spokeswoman Maisie Shun-wah, confirming local media reports, said no further talks have been held since an initial meeting between the two sides, and added there is as yet no concrete agreement on an investment.

If the discussions lead to a deal, it would mark the venture's first investment since it was set up in February 2003 to look for opportunities in airport projects in China.

Swire holds 46.5 percent of Hong Kong's dominant airline Cathay Pacific.