Insurers focus on fixed-income niche

Chinese major listed insurers, also important players in the capital market, took a conservative approach to the market this year and hope to boost their overseas investment.

"Given the market fundamentals, we don't think there will an absolute strong bullish year. We take a conservative approach and will seize opportunities to increase investment in fixed-income products," said Zhao Lijun, vice president of China Life. "We found the valuation of some H-shares attractive and will increase our investment through Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect."

The world's largest life insurer in terms of market value increased its investment in bond by 2.08 percent to 45.63 percent last year and also increased its holding of stocks and funds by 0.71 percent to 10.05 percent, according to the company's annual financial report.