Coke opens two new plants in China

Coca-Cola Co. and its bottling partner, COFCO Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., announced Wednesday the opening of two new bottling plants in central and western China.

The facilities are part of plans by Coca-Cola to invest $2 billion over three years in China. The new plants — located in the Xinjiang and Jiangxi provinces — have directly created 796 jobs. The Atlanta-based beverage giant and its bottlers now operate 38 bottling plants in China.

"Our business in China grew 19 percent in 2008 and China is now our third largest market," Coke chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent said in a press statement. "By opening new plants in Jiangxi and Xinjiang, we will be able to increase our geographic presence, enhance our competitive edge in China and support local community development by sponsoring jobs, local procurements and education."