CHINESE INSURANCE JVS GET NEW BRANCH GO-AHEAD

THE Chinese insurance regulatory authorities have given the go-ahead to planned new branches for two joint ventures. Aegon-CNOOC Life, a joint venture between The Netherlands’ Aegon and the China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) has received the nod for a branch in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province. Meanwhile Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co, a joint venture between Manulife Financial of Canada and China's Sinochem Corp, got the go-ahead for a branch in Chongqing.