China's premium income in the first nine months rose 8.1 percent from a year earlier to 858.03 billion yuan (US$125.63 billion), according to Wu Dingfu, China Insurance Regulatory Commission Chairman.

In the first three quarters, the country's property insurance premium income rose 21.4 percent year on year to 223.39 billion yuan. The life insurance premium income grew 4.1 percent year on year to 634.64 billion yuan.

By the end of September, total assets of the nation's insurers stood at 3.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 18.9 percent compared with that at the beginning of the year.

Profits of insurers during the January-September period was 39.19 billion yuan, representing an increase of 45.77 billion yuan over the same period last year.

Wu said the commission attached great importance to preventing risks and enhancing management in the investment of premium funds. The commission would further strengthen management, supervision over the insurance market in the fourth quarter.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2009)