CRI听力：Rejection of Coca Cola's Bid in Accordance with Anti-monopoly Law

China will continue to adopt its open policy and welcome foreign investment.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remark Thursday following China's rejection of Coca Cola's bid to acquire China's largest juice maker, Huiyuan.

"The Chinese government has ruled against Coca Cola's bid to take over Huiyuan. That's an objective judgment according to China's anti-monopoly law. I'd like to reiterate here that China will unswervingly stick to its open policy based on mutual benefits. The policy of actively absorbing foreign investment has not changed."

China's Ministry of Commerce Wednesday rejected Coca-Cola's bid for the Huiyuan Juice Group.

Meanwhile, a Chinese expert says the ruling on the Coca-Cola-Huiyuan deal is a separate matter from protectionism.

Dr. Mei Xinyu is a researcher with the China Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

He says China made a fair decision by rejecting the acquisition through the country's anti-monopoly law.

"The law is strict and transparent, so we could have anticipated the result. China will not violate the seriousness of its law in any name. The rule has reiterated the seriousness of China's anti-monopoly law to the public, society and anyone at home or abroad. It will help our market progress remain orderly and build a better business and social environment in the long term."
The researcher also says the law treats all enterprises, state-owned or foreign-funded, with no distinctions, so accusations of protectionism are groundless.

"We didn't set a higher standard for foreign-funded enterprises for the anti-monopoly investigation, or impose harsher terms against foreign-funded enterprises from certain countries or regions. Instead, we treat every enterprise equally, applying the same standards in the investigation."(www.hXen.com)

Mei Xinyu says although some people suggested the bid's potential impact on the country's economic security be investigated, China didn't make any such inquires.

The researcher added that while making overseas acquisitions, Chinese enterprises hope those countries also treat them fairly and without discrimination or distinction.