The Development of the Chinese Insurance Industry: Its Structure, Performance and Future

This paper assesses the development of the Chinese insurance industry over the last ten years or so. Its market structure, competition situation, as well as the performance of the People's Insurance Company of China (P1CC) are reviewed. Detailed discussion is provided of the Draft Insurance Law of China, in order to evaluate the present and future legislation and regulatory environment in the market. Attention is also paid to the insur-ance education and training and the opening up to foreign insurance forces. Finally, the paper ends with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese insurance industry and its ability to respond to future challenge. Key words: Chinese insurance market, insurance development, insurance legislation