Recently, Coca-Cola announced its offer to take over China Huiyuan Juice Group Limited, China’s largest fruit juice company, for the equivalent of 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in cash. If successful, the acquisition of Huiyuan would be the second largest acquisition in Coca-Cola’s history.

In face of the slowdown trend in carbonated drinks market, sales of fruit and vegetable juices in China almost tripled in the 5 years to 2007, twice the growth for fizzy drinks. Therefore, acquisition is the shortcut to gaining the market.

Now China’s beverage market is composed of carbonated drinks, dairy drinks, purified water, tea and herb tea drinks. According to brand marketing expert Li Guangdou, the acquisition of Huiyuan would help Coca-Cola get not only the top brand in China, but also the market. It would take Coca-Cola back to the top of the Chinese beverage market.

While Coca-Cola and Huiyuan seem satisfied with the deal, a great number of Chinese netizens thinks otherwise. The acquisition of the leading domestic juice maker triggers widespread worry for domestic pillar brands in China.

In an online poll posted by the portal websites, such as Sina.com, over 80% of the interviewees held the opposed attitude. Most of them held the opinion that a foreign capital is attempt to wipe out famous domestic brands.

However, the 2.4 billion-U.S. dollar deal needs to be approved by the Chinese government. In response to the case, a spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce said that the ministry "would review the case of Coca-Cola's acquisition of Huiyuan" and it was against monopoly while supporting "normal economic activities."