As China's middle class has grown, the world's largest beverage maker has been along for the ride.

In 1998, the average Chinese consumer drank only eight Coke products a year. Now, they drink more than 30.

Coca-Cola bottles and packages its beverages close to its customer base, rather than exporting its products from continent to continent. So as demand in China has grown, so too has the company's presence in the country.

The company invested $3 billion in building Chinese plants in the last three years alone, and the company just announced it will be investing another $4 billion by 2014.

Coke currently employs more than 48,000 people in China, and three new factories opening this year are expected to create another 940 jobs.

Over the last 5 years, the company has also invested $20 billion in its U.S. operations, where it employs 100,000 people.

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