McDonald's says to lift 2010 China investment by 25 percent

McDonald's Corp. , the world's largest hamburger chain, said on Friday that it expects to boost its capital investment in China by about 25 percent in 2010.

McDonald's planned to open 150-175 new stores in China this year, Kenneth Chan, McDonald's China CEO, told Reuters reporters after officiating launch of a new marketing campaign.

It said it was launching a new brand concept called Make Room for Happiness to mark the 20th anniversary after it opened its first restaurant in Shenzhen, and to demonstrate its confidence in and the importance of the China market.

McDonald's, which compete with Yum Brands' KFC in the United States and China, and Ajisen (China) <0538.HK> in the mainland, a noodle restaurant chain operator, said it remained excited about growth potential in the region.