Asia (soft drink brand) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Asia

A bottle of Asia Sarsae
Owner	GLIG (an investment vehicle of the Guangzhou Government)
Introduced	1946
Markets	China

Asia is a popular brand of sarsaparilla from China. It is made by Xiangxue–Asian Beverage, which is part of the Xiangxue Pharmaceutical company. The brand itself is owned by the Guangzhou government through a company called GLIG.

Many people in Guangzhou, Guangdong remember Asia's sarsaparilla fondly. It is seen as a special part of their city's history and culture.

History of Asia Soft Drinks

The "Asia" brand soft drinks first started being made in Guangzhou in 1946. This was a time when many new businesses were appearing.

Government Ownership and Exports

After the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949, the "Asia" brand and its factory became owned by the government. This is called being "nationalized."

By the 1960s, Asia soft drinks were also sold outside of China. They were exported to Hong Kong. They came in different flavors, like apple. Asia also had a sister brand called "Pearl."

Partnership with PepsiCo

In 1993, Asia soft drinks joined with PepsiCo to form a new company. This company was called Pepsi-Asia Beverage Co. Ltd. However, Pepsi later stopped using the "Asia" brand and its drinks, like sarsaparilla.

Returning to Local Ownership

In 2017, the Guangzhou government bought back the company. It became known as Guangzhou Asia Beverage Co., Ltd. This was done through a government-owned company called Guangzhou Light Industrial And Trade Group (GLIG).

The right to use the "Asia" brand was also bought by Xiangxue Pharmaceutical. This happened through another joint company called Xiangxue Asian Beverage, which started in 2009. Xiangxue Pharmaceutical owns most of this new company. This new company also rents the original factory from the government.

Sub-brands

• Chinese: 金典沙士; literally "Gold classic sarsaparilla" (Gold Classic Sarsaparilla)