BERLIN, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Volkswagen and its Chinese

partners have discussed the possibility of them investing in

plants in Germany, VW Chief Executive Oliver Blume told Reuters

at a conference on Tuesday, after Reuters reported that Chinese

investors were interested in buying up German factories.

Asked whether he would consider selling a German factory to

a Chinese investor, Blume, speaking at a conference in Berlin

organised by German publication Welt, said: "It is always

positive when companies invest in Europe ... we have close

partnerships in China and of course, there have been

conversations, but no concrete decisions."

Volkswagen has three joint venture partners in

China - SAIC, FAW and JAC - and owns a stake in Chinese EV

startup Xpeng ( XPEV ), none of whom currently have production capacity

in Europe.