On the heels of concerns over product quality and melamine in Chinese milk, Nestle has opened a new research and development center in Beijing, which will focus on both basic research and product development.

Master Kong Holdings Company has formally signed a cooperative agreement with Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone to invest USD36 million to build a food and beverage operation in the area.

According to Beverage Market Report 2007 released by Canadean, a beverage research company in Britain, Changyu Group was ranked as the tenth largest winery in the world with sales revenue of US$695 million in 2007. It was the first time for an Asian winery to enter the top 10 global wineries.

Coca-Cola has announced plans to launch its new sugar-free beverage, "Coca-Cola Zero", in the Guangdong market.