Insurers' investment scope expanded

Chinese insurance companies will be able to invest in a larger variety of financial instruments and overseas destinations, the industry regulator said in an online statement on Monday.

Insurers will be able to invest in 25 developed countries and regions, and in 20 emerging markets, with the investment scope expanded to money market products, fixed-income and equity assets, as well as real estate, according to the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.

The insurers' investments in overseas' real estate markets will be restricted to commercial properties in prime locations or real estate investment trusts (REITs), the CIRC said.

The insurers' overseas investments should be less than 15 percent of their total assets calculated by the end of the previous year, and their investments in the emerging markets should be less than 10 percent of their total assets.