(Yicai Global) Nov. 29 -- C'estbon, a bottled water company under state-owned group China Resources, has become the first partner of the elite new Team China.

The General Administration of Sport of China unveiled the Team China brand, a unified brand image for the country's many national sports teams, at a launch ceremony in Beijing yesterday.

Team China is the country's highest level of sports commercial development plan and will take part in major domestic and international sports events every year. It will cooperate with five to seven industry leaders -- one company from each industry -- to ensure it remains an elite brand.

C'estbon has long regarded sports marketing as one of its key development strategies, according to analysts. It has sponsored China's National Games, the Chinese Basketball Association, the national table tennis team and the world mixed-team badminton championship, the Sudirman Cup.

The cooperation with Team China will provide C'estbon with more high-quality and scarce sports resources to boost its brand influence, the analysts added.

Shenzhen-based China Resources C'estbon Beverage will provide funding, drinking water, sports drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages to athletes from more than 70 national teams in sports such as football, volleyball, swimming, badminton and short-track speed skating. In return, it will be entitled to use Team China's image, title and logo.

C'estbon said it will also develop new products to meet the specialized demand of national team players, including upgrading its sports drinks brand Magic. The new products are expected to hit the market next year.