1 August, 2008 - Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, is pleased to announce that it has acquired an additional 6% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group Co., Ltd. ("Quanxing") increasing its ownership in the business to 49%.
This investment also increases Diageo’s indirect interest in Sichuan Shui Jing Fang Co., Ltd., a leading super premium Chinese white spirits company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Diageo first acquired a 43% stake in Quanxing in February 2007 and continues to be pleased with the performance and the prospects for the business. "This increase in our strategic shareholding underlines the strength of our partnership with Quanxing, our belief in the strong prospects for the Chinese white spirits category and our increasing commitment to Sichuan and to China as an excellent place to do business", said Paul Walsh, Diageo chief executive.