Chinese beverage giant Wahaha Group is to countersue its French joint venture partner Danone and seek compensation of up to five billion euros (US$6.7 billion), the company confirmed on Tuesday.

Wahaha spokesman Shan Qining told Xinhua that Wahaha had decided to "demand justice by legal procedures" after Danone had filed for arbitration and lawsuits against it.

Wahaha said in a separate statement, "We will respond actively to the lawsuits filed by Danone in Stockholm and the United States, and we plan to launch a countersuit demanding compensation of two billion, three billion or five billion euros."

The statement continued, "We have conclusive evidence that Danone has broken the law.

"Wahaha is not against the opening-up policy of China, or cooperation with others, or cooperation with foreign investors. However, we want the cooperation to be equal, mutually beneficial, complementary, mutually respectful with equal interest," the statement said.

Special coverage: Wahaha vs Danone    Related readings:  Wahaha,Danone torn over statements  Danone dispute affects sales  Danone talks go nowhere  Firm plans lawsuit against Danone

Wahaha has applied for arbitration over a trademark dispute with Danone at the Hangzhou Arbitration Committee, asking the committee to terminate a trademark transfer contract signed between Hangzhou Wahaha Group and the joint venture of Wahaha and Danone in 1996.

Wahaha said its contract with Danone was never approved by China's trademark authority, which meant the transfer was invalid and the contract should be terminated.

Shan said the Wahaha trademark belonged to Hangzhou Wahaha Group and not with Danone.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)