China's insurance industry, a focus for both home and abroad,
maintained huge growth momentum during its first full year after
the WTO entry in December 2001.
Premium income totaled 305.3 billion yuan (US$38 billion) in 2002,
up 44.7 percent over the previous year and topping the last few
years. The income from life insurance premiums rose 59.8 percent
and the overall assets of insurance companies grew 41.4 percent
over the previous year, according to the latest statistics from an
annual insurance working meeting which kicked off in Beijing
Friday.
The pace of insurance reform was remarkably faster than before. The
reform of the People's Insurance Company of China (PICC) and the
China Life Insurance Company was approved by the State Council.
Three insurance companies -- Ping An, Huatai and Pacific --
introduced overseas strategic investment. The premium income from
participating policies made up 49.3 percent of life premiums. The
premiums from bank agents became one of the most important selling
channels of life insurance.
The first year after China's entry into the WTO saw the fastest
growth of the insurance industry. Six foreign insurance companies
were approved to enter China, and 16 foreign insurance institutions
started operation.
Meanwhile, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC)
canceled 58 items of its examination and approval procedure as well
as helped promote competition by reforming auto insurance policies
and aviation accidental insurance policies, said Wu Dingfu,
chairman of CIRC.
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2003)