In the past three weeks, Saab's Dutch owner, Spyker Cars NV, has discussed a possible joint venture with Great Wall to build cars in China, according to Chinese media.

But Wei said that such a partnership would have to be with a premium international brand so that Great Wall could learn management skills and build experience.

He implied that Saab is not such a brand.

"We would hope to find one that is better (than Saab) and one that can be our role model," Wei told journalists last week during a tech show at Great Wall's headquarters in the north China city of Baoding.

Spyker signed a memorandum of understanding on May 16 with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., a leading Chinese auto dealership group, after Spyker's initial deal with small Chinese SUV maker Hawtai Motor Group Co. collapsed earlier this month.

Under the tentative agreement, Pang Da will buy 45 million euros (414 million yuan) worth of Saab vehicles in two batches. It also will acquire a 24 percent stake in Spyker for 598 million yuan, and it will establish a joint venture to build Saab vehicles in China.

Pang Da has wired the first payment of 276 million yuan to Spyker to buy Saab vehicles.