Ping An may buy half of Fortis asset mgmt unit -FT

SHANGHAI, March 14 (Reuters) - Chinese insurer Ping An (2318.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(601318.SS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is in talks to buy a 50 percent stake in Fortis's (FOR.BR: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) asset management business in a deal that could inject as much as 2.2 billion euros ($3.4 billion) into Fortis, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

The British newspaper did not describe the sources for its story, and gave no details. Ping An officials could not immediately be reached to comment.

The Belgian-Dutch financial services group said last week that it was about to make a deal that would increase its solvency. It did not elaborate.

Early this month, shareholders in Ping An approved a plan for a domestic equity issue that could raise some $16 billion, based on its current share price. The plan still needs the approval of China's securities regulator.

Last year, Ping An paid $2.7 billion for a 4.2 percent stake in Fortis. It has said it intends to make domestic and foreign acquisitions in line with its core business. (Reporting by Samuel Shen; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Edmund Klamann)