【原文】
China Ministry:Deadline For Coca Cola-Huiyuan Decision Mar 20
BEIJING -(Dow Jones)- Chinese regulators have until Friday to decide whether they will approve Coca-Cola Co.'s (KO) plan to acquire beverage maker China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd. (1886.HK), but the law allows the deadline to be extended, commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said Monday.
Yao didn't comment on whether the government would extend the deadline. Coca-Cola's offer in September to buy Hong Kong-listed Huiyuan for US$2.4 billion in cash has aroused much controversy and opposition within China due to domestic concerns over Coca-Cola's potential monopoly in the local market.
China's Commerce Ministry has been reviewing the proposed takeover in line with the country's anti-trust process and a decision has been expected before the end of this month.