Plans to invest a further $US 2BN in China over the next three years are still "go" for The Coca-Cola Company, despite the Chinese Ministry of Commerce's rejection of the Huiyuan bid. Coke boss Muhtar Kent, while not surprisingly expressing disappointment, said that it would be not only business as usual but that business in China would be developed further. Wire services were buzzing with "news" that China was preparing to grant approval for TCCC to spend US$ 2.5BN in purchasing the giant Huiyuan Group. Word then came that this could be conditional, followed by a suggestion that Coca-Cola might have to relinquish the China Huiyuan Juice brand. Speculation rose while Huiyuan shares went the other way. Then, the ministry said it would not approve the takeover, citing anti-competition issues but otherwise giving few details for its reasoning.
