Cash-rich Tencent aims for M&A, China listing

* Has $877 million in cash, eyeing acquisitions

* Targets online games, value-added services for M&A

* China listing dependent on rule changes

By Joanne Chiu

SHENZHEN, China, June 16 (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings (0700.HK), which runs China's largest instant messaging (IM) service, has a war chest of about 6 billion yuan ($877 million) for technology acqusitions in China and elsewhere in Asia.

Chairman Ma Huateng also told reporters Tencent would list its shares in China if regulators change rules banning companies registered overseas from listing in China. The move would cash in on the popularity of the company's IM service QQ.

Hong Kong-listed Tencent is registered in the Cayman Islands but based in the south China boomtown of Shenzhen. Ma spoke to reporters on Monday, the day before Tencent's fifth anniversary as a listed company.

Ma said the 6 billion yuan figure related to the end of March. "The company is retaining the cash for mergers and acqusitions.