Sinosteel doesn't rule out buying Fortescue stake

BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Sinosteel Group, China's largest state-owned ferrous metals trader, does not rule out taking a stake in Australian iron ore miner Fortescue Metals (FMG.AX), its president Huang Tianwen said on Thursday.

Sinosteel is also optimistic about reaching an official agreement about purchasing a stake in Australia's Midwest Corp MIS.AX, Huang told reporters on the sidelines of an industry conference.

Huang added that Sinosteel was not involved in any effort to take a stake in BHP Billiton (BHP.AX)(BLT.L). (Reporting by Coco Li; Writing by Alfred Cang; Editing by Edmund Klamann)