China will pay close attention to the $39 billion bid that top global miner BHP Billiton is making for the world's biggest fertilizer maker, Potash, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

"Such a deal will definitely be a concern for the global potash industry, including China's potash industry," Yao Jian, the ministry's  spokesman, told a regular news conference.

Asked whether the ministry would probe a successful bid under its anti-monopoly powers, Yao said: "We will pay close attention to it and if we receive a formal application, we will carry out investigations according to the law."

Yao said the ministry had not been notified by Sinochem, the parent of China's largest fertiliser distributor, Sinofert, or any other Chinese company about a possible counterbid for Potash.