The first shipment of Coca-Cola cans was shipped to China in 1978, so this year marks the brand's 35th year in the country.

"Our business in China is a mirror of the progress of its opening-up policy," said David Brooks, president of Coca-Cola Greater China and Korea.

Coca-Cola used to make the argument to the Chinese government that foreign tourists had to have Coke if the country wanted them to come in, disclosed Brooks.

The Chinese government approved Coca-Cola's operation in the country in 1979.

Now, the beverage giant has established 42 plants all over China, with a total investment of 5 billion U.S. dollars, and 50,000 Chinese local employees.