AKIPRESS.COM - Starbucks boss Howard Schultz has said expansion in China will secure its future for "decades to come", BBCreports.

While Starbucks still makes most of its profit in the US, Mr Schultz said its Chinese stores were the most efficient and lucrative.

It comes as the world's largest coffee shop chain said it posted its "most profitable quarter - capping off the most profitable year".

Operating profit rose 16% to $4.2bn (£3.4bn) for the year.

Last month, Starbucks announced plans to more than double its stores in China to 5,000 by 2021.

In the fourth quarter, Starbucks' profit in China and Asia Pacific increased 48% to $192m, helped by the opening of nearly 100 new stores.