Three big Chinese firms engaged in shipping and ship-repair, beverage and real estate development are seriously considering the Philippines as their next investment destination.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Elmer C. Hernandez identified these firms as Hangzhou Wahaha Group Ltd., Chipolbrok and Shanghai Hodoor Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

Hernandez was in China recently for an investment mission and held discussions with the CEOs of various Chinese business conglomerates.

According to Hernandez, the Wahaha Group is interested in forging a joint venture with a Filipino group for a fruit juice processing plant in the country.

The Chinese would be utilizing the local fruits for puree and juice production for re-exports to China, he said.

“They want to produce fruit purees and juices here because they are running out of fruits in China,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said that BoI is helping Wahaha in finding for a local partner.

Wahaha, which signifies “laughing child” to the company, had its origins as the sales department of the Shangcheng District School in Hangzhou, created in 1987. The factory, the "Hangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Foods Factory", was created in 1989 to tap a niche in the market for a "children's liquid nutrient".

At present, Wahaha has roughly 70 subsidiary companies and 40 manufacturing centers scattered throughout China. Wahaha employs about 20,000 workers. It is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The company is 46% by Shangcheng District Government.

Shanghai Hodoor Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., one of China's major property developer, is interested in putting up hotel and tourist accommodation facilities in the country.