The government’s reaction to the Carlyle bid prompted US officials to express concern about how Chinese regulators were handling proposed acquisitions.

Taking over Huiyuan would give Coca-Cola a leading position in China’s competitive beverage market. Huiyuan is the top Chinese producer of fruit juices and analysts estimate it has about 42 per cent of its market.

The new anti-monopolies law of China which took effect from August 1 will be applied to the proposed Huiyuan takeover

No request has yet been received by regulators from the Coca-Cola Company for approval to buy the juice major

The acquisition is being viewed by a large section of the Chinese as violative of the country’s national pride