Nov 4, 2011
Translated by Song Chunling

In what could could be the biggest deal in China's beverage sector since Coca Cola's unsuccessful bid to acquire China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd in 2009, the Beijing Times is reporting today that Tingyi Holding Corp. (康师傅), China's largest producer of instant noodles (Master Kong) and ready-to-drink tea, maybe about to announce its intention to acquire PepsiCo Inc.'s China operations.

Tingyi, which is registered in the Cayman Islands and makes the top-selling "Master Kong" instant noodles, halted trading of its Hong Kong-listed shares pending a notifiable transaction.

Rumors about the proposed transaction say that Tingyi either plans to acquire the rights to run Pepsi's China operations or alternatively plans to take a 51 percent stake in Pepsi China.

The report also said that Tianyi will have a telephone meeting this afternoon, during which they will probably talk about the aquisition.

Both companies refused to confirm the news when contacted by journalists yesterday.

Links and Sources
Beijing Times: 传康师傅将购百事可乐中国