Coke bid for Huiyuan

無法笑

China promises to consider Coke bid for Huiyuan; says it will enforce anti-monopoly rules

China's Commerce Ministry says it will enforce anti-monopoly rules in reviewing Coca-Cola Co.'s bid to buy a major Chinese juice producer but gave no indication what factors might affect its decision.

In the first official comment on the $2.5 billion bid for Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd., a ministry spokesman quoted by the government's Xinhua News Agency late Wednesday promised to review it as soon as Coca-Cola submits an application. Coca-Cola has declined to say when it will ask Beijing for approval.

Coca-Cola's offer, announced last week, sparked criticism in China of the sale of one of the country's best-known brands to foreigners. The deal is the first major test of China's new anti-monopoly law, which took effect Aug. 1.