* One third of Shanghai stores to close
* Plans to open flagship stores in Beijing, Guangzhou
* Exploring taking local partner
* Asia chief to leave business (Adds departure of Asia director Bruce Findlay, Chinese jobsfigure)
LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer has decided to close five stores in the greater Shanghairegion following a review of its plans for China that willnevertheless see it stick to a commitment to expand into thecountry's other large cities.
M&S also said on Monday that Bruce Findlay, its regionaldirector for Asia, was quitting the firm after less than twoyears in the role to take up a position with another retailer.
The company entered China in 2008 with a store in Shanghai,and it now has 15 in the greater Shanghai region. But it hasstruggled to make a major impact in a country that it said onMonday remains one of its priority international markets alongwith India, Russia and the Middle East.
For the long term the group is in the process of evaluatingpotential local partners to expand in China, a path taken byother British retailers such as supermarkets group Tesco and home improvements firm Kingfisher.
Updating on its plans for the country following a reviewannounced last April, M&S said it would continue to invest inits existing flagship store portfolio with the completemodernisation of its West Nanjing Road store in Shanghai in theautumn.
However, five of its supporting stores in the greaterShanghai region will close by August. Some 60 jobs will beeffected. M&S also plans to reduce the size of its Shanghai headoffice.
M&S said it has a firm intent to enter other cities such asBeijing and Guangzhou over the next year, while furtherexpansion online would enhance its brand across China.
The firm also plans to continue to invest in Hong Kong,where it currently has 18 wholly-owned stores and fourstandalone food stores, and expand in Macau.
M&S, hit in its home market by dwindling clothing sales,said last April it planned to expand its international stores bymore than a half.
Shares in the firm were up 1 percent at 510 pence at 1620 GMT. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Louise Heavens and GregMahlich)