Beijing's insurance companies reported a combined premium income of 58.6 billion yuan (US$8.57 billion) in 2008, up 17.7 percent from 2007, despite the slowing down in economic growth.

Luo Qing, assistant director of Beijing Insurance Regulatory Bureau said today that total life insurance premium income in 2008 was up 16.8 percent to 39.1 billion yuan, and property and casualty insurance income was up 20.1 percent to 13.4 billion yuan.

"Looking ahead, strengthening the risk control mechanism will be our top agenda for 2009," said Luo.

(China Daily February 5, 2009)