Faurecia is taking a strategic stake in Chinese auto parts supplier Xuyang Group and setting up two new joint ventures in a bid to boost its presence in the booming China market, the French supplier said on Thursday.

Carmakers and suppliers worldwide are looking to China and other emerging regions for growth after the financial crisis ravaged demand for new cars in mature markets like Europe, and government measures to help boost sales wane.

A spokesman for Faurecia could not immediately confirm the size of the stake in Xuyang or the price Faurecia is paying for the deal, which it hopes to finalise in the first half of 2010, and which it is signing in partnership with the municipality of Changchun, where Xuyang is based.

Faurecia has had a joint venture -- Changcun Faurecia Xuyang Automotive Seat Co Ltd -- in place with its Chinese partner since 2001. It now plans to create two new joint ventures to reinforce the two groups' activities, focusing on interior systems and acoustic modules and floor carpets.

Xuyang supplies parts to Chinese carmaker FAW Xiali , and its international affiliates, including its FAW-VW joint venture with Europe's biggest carmaker, Germany's Volkswagen.