By Yuan Min and Li Wenzhi  King & Wood’s Insurance Group

In order to regulate transfers of insurance business by insurance companies, the China Insurance Regulatory Committee (CIRC) recently issued the Provisional Measures on Administration of Insurance Business Transfers by Insurance Companies (the "Measures"), which will become effective on October 1, 2011.

"Transfers of insurance business" refers to when an insurance company decides to transfer all or part of its insurance business to another insurance company through mutual consultation and negotiation. This transfer mechanism is a way for insurance companies to voluntarily exit from the insurance market.  The Measures do not apply to the following circumstances: (i) an insurance company that engages in the life insurance business and is transferring its insurance business as a result of being closed down or being declared bankrupt; (ii) an insurance company that fails to meet the prescribed solvency requirements and is forced by the regulatory committee to transfer its insurance business; and (iii) an insurance company in the reinsurance business.Continue Reading Not Your Average Assignment of Contracts: New Provisional Measures Governing Transfers of Insurance Business