BEIJING (AP) - China's government plans to create 15 to 20 major distribution companies, a state newspaper said Tuesday, adding to efforts to build up Chinese industry in preparation for allowing in foreign competitors.

"Our target is to help establish, in five to eight years, 15 to 20 large-scale distribution companies with well-known brands," said Di Jiankai, director of the Commerce Ministry's commercial reform department, quoted by the China Daily newspaper.