The annual conference of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) will be held in Beijing between Oct.16-21, said an official with China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) on Wednesday.

 

This will be the first time for China to host the conference, said the commission's Vice Chairman Li Kemu.

 

Participants from 94 countries and regions are expected to attend.

 

Established in 1994, the IAIS represents insurance regulators and supervisors of some 180 jurisdictions in more than 130 countries and regions covering 97 percent of the world's insurance premiums. It also has more than 100 observers.

 

It aims to improve supervision of the insurance industry of member countries and promote the development of the insurance industry.

 

China joined IAIS in 2000.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2006)