29 Mar 2004

CITIC Prudential gains its third life licence in China

Prudential plc’s life insurance joint venture CITIC Prudential has received official approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to open a new branch in Suzhou. Prudential is the only British life insurer to hold three licences in China.

Mark Norbom, Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, said, “Expanding our business in China is a top priority for Prudential. We are very committed to working in partnership with CITIC to build a successful business based on meeting the savings, investment and protection needs of the people of China. This third licence for the city of Suzhou is another step toward achieving our long-term goal of establishing a sustainable and material business in China.”

Chang Zhenming, Group Executive Director and Vice President of CITIC Group commented, “When we first established our joint venture partnership with Prudential, we recognised that Prudential’s over 150 years of life insurance experience and CITIC’s local market knowledge and strong distribution were a very powerful combination. This third licence underscores the strength of our partnership and the great confidence we have in the long-term potential of CITIC Prudential and the Chinese life insurance market.”

Dan Bardin, Managing Director of South Asia and Greater China, Prudential Corporation Asia said, “Suzhou is an important opportunity for CITIC Prudential and will allow us to continue the momentum we have established with our Guangzhou and Beijing operations. With Suzhou we plan to continue our successful strategy of building high quality distribution and focussing on delivering excellent customer service.”

CITIC Prudential first established a presence in China with the launch of its Guangzhou operation in October 2000 and is already among the top five providers in the Guangzhou market in terms of new business. It acquired its second licence in 2003, and launched its second Chinese operation in Beijing in August of that year.

The city of Suzhou is situated north of Shanghai in the economically significant Jiangsu Province. CITIC Prudential’s Suzhou branch is expected to be open for business in the third quarter of 2004.

Enquiries to:

Media Investors/ Analysts
Steve Colton 020 7548 3721 Rebecca Burrows 020 7548 3537
Clare Staley 020 7548 3719

Notes to Editors:

About Prudential

Founded in London in 1848, Prudential plc is one of the UK’s leading retail financial services companies with over US$300 billion in funds under management worldwide (as at 31 December 2003).

Today Prudential is internationally diversified and among the leading companies in its chosen markets in the UK and Europe, the US and Asia.

Prudential plc has deep roots in Asia having established its first operation in 1923. Today it is the UK's largest life insurance company in the region with life operations in 12 countries and complementary asset management operations in seven of these. BOCI-Prudential is also one of the leading Mandatory Provident Fund players in Hong Kong.

Alongside its wholly owned operations in Asia, Prudential has forged successful joint ventures and strategic alliances with some of the region's leading financial institutions including CITIC, Bank of China International, India's ICICI Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

About CITIC (China International Trust and Investment Corporation)

China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC) was established on 4 October 1979 by Rong Yiren. The creation of CITIC was initiated and approved by Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform.

CITIC is a window on the way China has opened to the outside world. Since its inception, CITIC has always adhered to the principle of innovation. In line with government laws, regulations and policies, CITIC has attracted and utilized foreign capital, introduced advanced technologies, and adopted advanced and scientific international practices in operations and management. CITIC has established successful, strong performing businesses in many fields. As a result, CITIC has made significant contributions to the country's reform and opening up drive and has improved China’s reputation both domestically and abroad.

CITIC has grown into a large multinational conglomerate. It now owns 44 subsidiaries in countries including Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The company has also set up representative offices in Tokyo, New York and Rotterdam. CITIC's core business ranges from financial services to service industries. By the end of 2002, CITIC had total assets of over RMB 501billion (US$59 billion).

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