<p>The likeness of billionaire Warren Buffett is gracing Cherry Coke cans in China, where the company's largest investor enjoys a legendary reputation.<br /><br />Coca-Cola announced over the weekend that a grinning cartoon portrait of the American business magnate would adorn cans and bottles of his favourite flavour after it was introduced in the country on March 10.<br /><br />Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's investment firm, is Coca- Cola's biggest shareholder with a 9.3 percent stake valued at about USD 17 billion.<br /><br />"Incidentally, there is no compensation involved," Buffett told Yahoo Finance of the use of his image for "a limited promotional period."<br /><br />The 86-year-old investor and philanthropist has been photographed on numerous occasions taking a swig of Cherry Coke, earning him the title of "best-known fan" from Coca-Cola chief executive Muhtar Kent.<br /><br />In Communist-ruled China, where Chairman Mao portraits are as ubiquitous as brand-name logos, Buffett's business acumen has made him a celebrity and inspired thousands of Chinese investors to reportedly flock to Omaha, Nebraska, for Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting last year.<br /><br />While the meeting was livestreamed around the world, simultaneous translation was only offered in Mandarin.<br /><br />Buffett has in turn lauded China's "totally miraculous" growth.<br /><br />As for his enduring appreciation of Cherry Coke -- he invested in Coca-Cola as early as 1985 -- Buffett admitted in his shareholders' letter last February that he consumes enough Coke and candy "to satisfy the weekly caloric needs of an NFL lineman."<br /><br />"There's nothing like eating carrots and broccoli when you're really hungry," he added, "and want to stay that way." <br /><br /></p>
<p>The likeness of billionaire Warren Buffett is gracing Cherry Coke cans in China, where the company's largest investor enjoys a legendary reputation.<br /><br />Coca-Cola announced over the weekend that a grinning cartoon portrait of the American business magnate would adorn cans and bottles of his favourite flavour after it was introduced in the country on March 10.<br /><br />Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's investment firm, is Coca- Cola's biggest shareholder with a 9.3 percent stake valued at about USD 17 billion.<br /><br />"Incidentally, there is no compensation involved," Buffett told Yahoo Finance of the use of his image for "a limited promotional period."<br /><br />The 86-year-old investor and philanthropist has been photographed on numerous occasions taking a swig of Cherry Coke, earning him the title of "best-known fan" from Coca-Cola chief executive Muhtar Kent.<br /><br />In Communist-ruled China, where Chairman Mao portraits are as ubiquitous as brand-name logos, Buffett's business acumen has made him a celebrity and inspired thousands of Chinese investors to reportedly flock to Omaha, Nebraska, for Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting last year.<br /><br />While the meeting was livestreamed around the world, simultaneous translation was only offered in Mandarin.<br /><br />Buffett has in turn lauded China's "totally miraculous" growth.<br /><br />As for his enduring appreciation of Cherry Coke -- he invested in Coca-Cola as early as 1985 -- Buffett admitted in his shareholders' letter last February that he consumes enough Coke and candy "to satisfy the weekly caloric needs of an NFL lineman."<br /><br />"There's nothing like eating carrots and broccoli when you're really hungry," he added, "and want to stay that way." <br /><br /></p>