Circular of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission on Supporting the Construction of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone

The English version is for reference only. If there is any inconsistency or conflict between the English and Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.

For the purpose of fully strengthening the role of insurance function and supporting the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (“FTZ”), the China Insurance Regulatory Commission ("CIRC") has replied on the relevant issues proposed by the CIRC Shanghai Bureau with main contents listed below. The CIRC will support the following items:

I. Establishment of foreign-invested specialized health insurance institutions in the FTZ;

II. Establishment of FTZ branches by insurance companies, development of cross-border RMB-denominated reinsurance business in the FTZ, and research on disaster insurance systems by the CIRC Shanghai Bureau;

III. Outbound investment pilot by FTZ insurance institutions, and research for expanding the scope of permitted outbound investments and relaxing the relevant outbound investment restrictions for FTZ insurance institutions;

IV. Subject to the relevant laws and regulations, carrying out business in the FTZ by world-known specialized insurance intermediaries as well as social organizations or individuals engaged in reinsurance business to provide support for the development of the insurance industry;

V. Development of shipping insurance business in Shanghai, including development of shipping insurance institutions and shipping insurance brokers; and development of the Association of Shanghai Shipping Insurance;

VI. Innovation in insurance products by insurance companies, and continuous expansion of the service scope of liability insurance business;

VII. Improvement of the insurance market system in Shanghai, and promoting the establishment of functional insurance institutions such as shipping insurance pricing center, reinsurance center, insurance fund management center, etc.; and

VIII. Establishment of a mechanism linking the FTZ financial reform and innovation with the building up of the Shanghai International Financial Center, and continuous strengthening and enhancement of cooperation between the CIRC and Shanghai Municipal Government.

Provided by Lawyers Working Committee of Pudong New Area