More players have stepped forward in the CSD sector to prepare for sharply higher demand in the summer. Global beverage giant Coca-Cola unveiled its first limited edition product Coca-Cola Starlight in February to connect young consumers closely with trendy and innovative designs and tastes. The new drink combines the Coca-Cola taste with a dash of "something (that) seems from outer space".

This month, the company also launched a new zero-sugar lemon Sprite with mint flavor soda for consumers who want a healthy drink and diverse tastes, the company said.

Coca-Cola also launched a new brand called XIAO YU ZHOU AH! HA! in recent years, aiming to meet the strong demand of young people by offering a zero-sugar formula and snappy packaging.

In the spring, the company launched XIAO YU ZHOU AH! HA! Strawberry white chocolate flavored sparkling water in China.

Coca-Cola's fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal report in 2021 showed its sparkling soft drink segment grew 8 percent for the quarter and 7 percent for the year, resulting in volume running ahead of 2019 levels. Unit case volume grew 11 percent for the quarter, with growth driven by China, India and the Philippines.

"China delivered strong performance in the quarter by capturing a growing trend among consumers of zero-calorie offerings. We doubled our zero-sugar sparkling portfolio in terms of volume compared to the fourth quarter of 2019," said James Quincey, chairman & chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Co.