The Ministry of Commerce says it rejected a bid by Coca-Cola to buy China's largest juice maker Huiyuan to preserve competition, and not to keep a local brand out of foreign hands.

The ministry made the statement on its web site, saying Huiyuan's status as a national brand was not a factor under consideration in its anti-monopoly investigation, and that it had nothing to do with the rejection.

The ministry is also reassuring foreign companies that China will continue its opening up policy and will attract more foreign investment.

(CCTV March 26, 2009)