Beijing-based Anbang has already been acquiring assets in other sectors of the economy.

ANZ is closing in on acquiring assets in Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

By acquiring assets in Mauritania, Xstrata sidesteps competition of Australian magnetite deposits, which are increasingly attracting Chinese ownership.

India, the world's fourth-biggest oil consumer, has charged state oil firms with acquiring assets overseas to improve security of its supplies.

Australian and Canadian guidelines call for protecting the national interest and closer scrutiny on deals where state-owned enterprises are acquiring assets.

YPF launched the subsidiary in 2013 after acquiring assets from Argentina-based oil and gas company Pluspetrol, which spun off its electric generation business.

Access to Chinese loans will also help it repay some of the debt accumulated when acquiring assets that once belonged to bankrupt oil firm YUKOS.

Host's brand profile could also expand and Walter expressed interest in acquiring assets from private hotelier Hilton Hotels Corp and InterContinental Hotels Group Plc IHG.NIHG.L.

Since Putin became president in 2000, the bank has grown in size and influence, acquiring assets from, among others, Gazprom, the giant state-controlled gas company.

SHANGHAI, March 2 (Reuters) - The Chinese government has cautioned automakers against acquiring assets from struggling overseas rivals, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Monday.