In Supertrends of Future China, we discuss the need for localization of products and services when foreign companies come to China. We take it one step further, saying that products from the Chinese market are going to have a big influence on the lives of people outside of China as well. Think instant noodles or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as two early examples. China’s large market will encourage firms to create products suitable for local use, and some of the best will boomerang back. We call this Sinofication.

Back in October last year, Coca-Cola made news in China by establishing a research center specifically for products related to TCM ingredients. This announcement was important for two reasons. First, Coca-Cola showed how important China’s market was by increasing R&D spending there and, second, that the functional foods and beverages category (especially in Asia) is a growing trend.

While the kinds of beverages being developed are still kept secret, they could be standalone products (Coca-Cola makes teas, juices, and bottled water in addition to sodas) or a new variant on the original Coke recipe: Traditional (Chinese Medicine) Coca-Cola, anyone?

In fact the company is in a good position to benefit from a potential Coke-TCM concoction: Coca-Cola, originally containing cocaine from Coca leaves, was created as a tonic (“Coca-Cola Revives and Sustains” – 1905 slogan), and, in China, Coca-Cola is commonly given as a home remedy for some maladies by boiling it together with ginger and lemon, served hot to the patient (this is also a popular drink in many Hong Kong-style restaurants). Coke Adds Life? It may yet, if the TCM research bears fruit.

A recent article illuminated a few new details of Coca-Cola’s plan:

Cao Hongxin, the president of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, said that the center “has a few projects” with Coca-Cola.

“Generally speaking, we want to create drinks that relieve fatigue and help the body fight off diseases,” he said. “(Coke executives) all hope to develop a Chinese-medicine-based beverage quickly.”

The director of the research center, Zhang Huaying, said of potential TCM-based beverages that “The aim is to be global but the source of the knowledge comes from China.”

We think this is a growing trend. Products influenced by their China localization or innovated from scratch in China will make greater inroads into global markets. Bubble tea, green tea extracts in just about everything from shampoo to anti-cancer preventative supplements, and China-influenced designer bags are just the start. Solar water heaters, solar-powered everything actually, invented elsewhere but perfected in China, are among the country’s next big exports. That, and TCM Coke.

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About the author

Jason Inch