State-owned chemicals group Sinochem (600500.SH) has asked Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek to join a consortium to bid for Canada’s Potash Corp (POT.TO), Reuters reported, citing sources with knowledge of the deal. The news follows reports that the Chinese government has ordered Sinochem and other domestic firms to prevent Australian mining giant BHP Billiton (BHP.NYSE, BLT. LSE, BHP.ASX) from executing a hostile takeover of Potash, which would allow BHP to corner the market for the key fertilizer ingredient. BHP is bidding US$130 per share to Potash stakeholders, which the company’s management has rejected as "grossly inadequate." However, there is significant political opposition in Canada to a Chinese acquisition, so Temasek is being invited to join the consortium to provide a degree of international legitimacy.