Singapore Air rules out bidding war for China Eastern

SINGAPORE, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) said on Wednesday that it will not walk away from its joint bid with Temasek Holdings [TEM.UL] for China Eastern (0670.HK), but ruled out the prospects for a bidding war.

"We are still talking to China Eastern and will continue this discussion. SIA is not walking away from this deal," spokesman Stephen Forshaw told reporters at Singapore's Changi Airport. "But we will not get into a bidding war either."

China Eastern shareholders on Tuesday voted against a deal to sell 24 percent of the firm for $920 million to SIA and Singapore state investor Temasek, opening the door for biggest rival Air China (0753.HK) to make a play for China's third-largest carrier. [ID:nHKG244885] (Reporting by Daryl Loo) (saeed.azhar@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: saeed.azhar.reuters.com@reuters.net; +65 6403-5664))