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China Life Insurance Company

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FY2014 Annual Report · China Life Insurance Company
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Stock Code: 2628

Annual Report 2014

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The  Company  is  a  life  insurance  company  established  in  Beijing,  China  on  30  June  2003  according  to  the 
Company  Law  and  Insurance  Law  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China.  The  Company  was  successfully  listed  on 
the New York Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 17 and 18 
December 2003, and 9 January 2007, respectively. The Company’s registered capital is RMB28,264,705,000.

The  Company  is  the  largest  life  insurance  company  in  China.  Our  distribution  network,  comprising  exclusive 
agents, direct sales representatives, and dedicated and non-dedicated agencies, is the most extensive one in China. 
The  Company  is  one  of  the  largest  institutional  investors  in  China,  and  through  its  controlling  shareholding 
in  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  the  Company  is  the  largest  insurance  asset  management 
company in China. The Company also has controlling shareholding in China Life Pension Company Limited.

Our  products  and  services  include  individual  life  insurance,  group  life  insurance,  and  accident  and  health 
insurance.  The  Company  is  a  leading  provider  of  individual  and  group  life  insurance,  annuity  products  and 
accident and health insurance in China. As at 31 December 2014, the Company had approximately 197 million 
long-term individual and group life insurance policies, annuity contracts, and long-term health insurance policies 
in  force.  We  also  provide  both  individual  and  group  accident  and  short-term  health  insurance  policies  and 
services.

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Contents

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217

Definitions and Material Risk Alert 

Company Profile 

Financial Summary 

Chairman’s Statement 

Management Discussion and Analysis 

Report of the Board of Directors 

Report of the Supervisory Committee 

Significant Events 

Changes in Share Capital and Shareholders Information 

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees 

Corporate Governance 

Internal Control 

Honors and Awards 

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Embedded Value 

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Defi nitions and Material Risk Alert

In this annual report, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings:

The Company1 

China Life Insurance Company Limited and its subsidiaries

CLIC 

AMC 

China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company,  the  controlling  shareholder  of 
the Company

China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  a  subsidiary  of  the 
Company

Pension Company 

China Life Pension Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Company

CLP&C 

CIRC 

CSRC 

HKSE 

SSE 

Company Law 

Insurance Law 

Securities Law 

China  Life  Property  and  Casualty  Insurance  Company  Limited,  a 
subsidiary of CLIC

China Insurance Regulatory Commission

China Securities Regulatory Commission

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Shanghai Stock Exchange

Company Law of the People’s Republic of China

Insurance Law of the People’s Republic of China

Securities Law of the People’s Republic of China

Articles of Association 

Articles of Association of China Life Insurance Company Limited

China or PRC 

for  the  purpose  of  this  report,  “China”  or  “PRC”  refers  to  the  People’s 
Republic  of  China,  excluding  the  Hong  Kong  Special  Administrative 
Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan region

RMB 

Renminbi Yuan

Material Risk Alert:
The  Company  has  stated  in  this  report  the  details  of  its  existing  risks  including  risks  relating  to  macro  trends,  risks 
relating  to  business  and  risks  relating  to  investments.  Please  refer  to  the  analysis  of  the  risks  which  the  Company  may 
face in its future development in the section headed “Management Discussion and Analysis”.

1 

Except for “the Company” referred to in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Company Profi le

Registered Name in Chinese:

  中國人壽保險股份有限公司(簡稱「中國人壽」)

Registered Name in English:

  China Life Insurance Company Limited (“China Life”)

Legal Representative: Yang Mingsheng

Board Secretary: Zheng Yong

  Office Address: 16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 100033
  Telephone: 86-10-63631244
  Fax: 86-10-66575112
  Email: ir@e-chinalife.com

Securities Representative: Lan Yuxi

  Office Address: 16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 100033
  Telephone: 86-10-63631068
  Fax: 86-10-66575112
  Email: lanyuxi@e-chinalife.com
  *  Mr. Lan Yuxi, Securities Representative of the Company, is also the main contact person of the external Company 

Secretary engaged by the Company

Registered Office Address:

  16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 100033

Current Office Address:

  16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 100033
  Telephone: 86-10-63633333
  Fax: 86-10-66575722
  Website: www.e-chinalife.com
  Email: ir@e-chinalife.com

Hong Kong Office:

  Office Address: 1403, 14/F., C.L.I. Building, 313 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
  Telephone: 852-29192628
  Fax: 852-29192638

Newspapers for the Company’s A Share Disclosure:

  China Securities Journal
  Shanghai Securities News
  Securities Times

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Company Profi le

CSRC’s Designated Website for the Company’s Annual Report Disclosure:

  www.sse.com.cn

The Company’s H Share Disclosure Websites:
  HKExnews website at www.hkexnews.hk
  The Company’s website at www.e-chinalife.com

The Company’s Annual Reports may be Obtained at:

  12/F, China Life Plaza, 16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China

Stock Information:

Stock Type
Exchanges on which the 
  Stocks are Listed
Stock Short Name
Stock Code

A Share
Shanghai Stock Exchange

China Life
601628

H Share
The Stock Exchange of 
  Hong Kong Limited
China Life
2628

ADR
New York Stock 
  Exchange
–
LFC

H Share Registrar and Transfer Office:

  Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited
  Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Depositary of ADR:
  Deutsche Bank
  60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Domestic Legal Adviser:

  King & Wood Mallesons

International Legal Advisers:

  Latham & Watkins
  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Date of First Registration of the Company:

  30 June 2003

Initial Registered Address of the Company:

  16 Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, P.R. China 100020

Date of the Latest Change of Registration of the Company:

  19 June 2014

Latest Change of the Registered Address of the Company:

  16 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 100033

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Company Profi le

Corporate Business Licence Serial Number:

  100000000037965

Tax Registration Certificate Number:

  11010271092841X

Organization Code:
  71092841-X

Auditors of the Company:

  Domestic Auditor:  Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP

Address:  Level 16, Ernst & Young Tower, Oriental Plaza, No.1 East Changan Avenue, 

Dongcheng District, Beijing, P.R. China 

Name of the Signing Auditors: Zhang Xiaodong, Huang Yuedong

International Auditor:  Ernst & Young

Address: 22/F, CITIC Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Central, Hong Kong

Changes in the Main Business of the Company since the Company’s Initial Public Offering:

  None

Changes of the Controlling Shareholder of the Company since the Company’s Initial Public Offering:

  None

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Financial Summary

Major Financial Data1 

2014 

2013 

Change 

2012 

2011 

2010

Under International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS)

RMB million

For the year ended
Total revenues 
  Net premiums earned 
Benefits, claims and expenses 

Insurance benefits and claims expenses 

Profit before income tax 
Net profit attributable to equity holders of 

the Company 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

As at 31 December
Total assets 

Investment assets2 

Total liabilities 
Total equity holders’ equity 

Per share (RMB)
Earnings per share (basic and diluted) 
Equity holders’ equity per share 
Net cash inflow from operating activities per share 

Major financial ratio
Weighted average ROE (%) 

Ratio of assets and liabilities3 (%) 

Gross investment yield4 (%) 

Notes:

440,766 
330,105 
404,275 
315,294 
40,402 

32,211 
78,247 

417,883 
324,813 
391,557 
312,288 
29,451 

24,765 
68,292 

5.5% 
1.6% 
3.2% 
1.0% 
37.2% 

371,485 
322,126 
363,554 
300,562 
10,968 

370,899 
318,276 
352,599 
290,717 
20,513 

385,838
318,088
346,601
279,632
41,008

30.1% 
14.6% 

11,061 
132,182 

18,331 
133,953 

33,626
178,600

2,246,567 
2,100,870 
1,959,236 
284,121 

1,972,941 
1,848,681 
1,750,356 
220,331 

13.9% 
13.6% 
11.9% 
29.0% 

1,898,916 
1,790,838 
1,675,815 
221,085 

1,583,907 
1,494,969 
1,390,519 
191,530 

1,410,579
1,336,245
1,200,104
208,710

1.14 
10.05 
2.77 

12.83 

87.21 

5.36 

0.88 
7.80 
2.42 

30.1% 
29.0% 
14.6% 

0.39 
7.82 
4.68 

0.65 
6.78 
4.74 

1.19
7.38
6.32

11.22 

88.72 

4.86 

increase of 1.61  
  percentage points
decrease of 1.51  
  percentage points
increase of 0.50  
  percentage points

5.38 

9.16 

16.02

88.25 

87.79 

85.08

2.79 

3.51 

5.11

1. 

Net  profit  refers  to  net  profit  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  Company,  while  equity  holders’  equity  refers  to  equity 

attributable to equity holders of the Company.

2. 

Investment  assets  =  Cash  and  cash  equivalents  +  Securities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  +  Available-for-sale  securities  + 

Held-to-maturity  securities  +  Term  deposits  +  Securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell  +  Loans  +  Statutory  deposits  + 

3. 

4. 

Investment properties

Ratio of assets and liabilities = Total liabilities/Total assets

Gross  investment  yield  =  (Investment  income  +  Net  realised  gains/(losses)  and  impairment  on  financial  assets  +  Net  fair  value 

gains/(losses) through profit or loss + Total income from investment properties – Business tax and extra charges for investment)/

((Investment assets at the beginning of the period + Investment assets at the end of the period)/2)

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Chairman’s Statement

 Yang Mingsheng, Chairman

In  2014,  the  world  economic  recovery  was  difficult  and  the  downward  pressure  on  China’s  economy  increased 
continuously. There was an array of interrelated problems and challenges. Amidst such a complicated business situation 
accompanied  by  more  fierce  competitions  in  financial  and  insurance  markets,  the  Company,  with  scientific  planning 
and reasonable deployment, closely adhered to the business strategy of “prioritizing value, stabilizing volume, optimizing 
structure  and  expanding  sources  of  profit”,  solidly  promoted  the  “innovation-driven  development  strategy”,  actively 
implemented  the  development  tactics  of  “Five  Focuses”,  which  is  the  focuses  on  creating  more  business  value,  greater 
sales  force,  regular  premiums,  individual  life  insurance  and  market  in  urban  areas,  persistently  overcame  difficulties, 
and  achieved  a  series  of  encouraging  results.  Under  a  great  deal  of  pressures  resulting  from  the  intensive  termination 
of  renewal  premiums,  the  Company’s  business  volume  developed  with  ensuring  stability.  Meanwhile,  the  Company 
achieved  obvious  results  in  structural  adjustments  by  putting  more  efforts  on  the  development  of  insurance  businesses 
with mid- and long-term regular premiums, realized a noticeable increase in its new business value by effectively tackling 
the  challenges  of  market-oriented  reform  of  premium  rates,  and  strongly  enhanced  the  sales  force  and  its  productivity 
by  adhering  to  the  strategy  of  “effective  expansion”.  At  the  critical  point  of  surmounting  difficulties  on  reform,  the 
Company  made  a  breakthrough  of  the  innovation-driven  development,  realized  solid  prevention  and  control  of  its 
operation  risks  and  achieved  a  sound  and  steady  business  development  in  the  meanwhile.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the 
Company has confidently taken a new step forward on its road of transformation and upgrading.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Chairman’s Statement

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s  total  revenue  was  RMB440,766  million,  a  5.5%  increase  year-on-year; 
net  profit  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  Company  was  RMB32,211  million,  a  30.1%  increase  year-on-year; 
earnings per share (basic and diluted) were RMB1.14, a 30.1% increase year-on-year. One-year new business value was 
RMB23,253  million,  a  9.2%  increase  year-on-year.  The  Company’s  market  share2  in  2014  was  approximately  26.1%, 
maintaining a leading position in the life insurance market. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company’s total 
assets reached RMB2,246,567 million, an increase of 13.9% from the end of 2013; embedded value was RMB454,906 
million, an increase of 32.9% from 2013. As at 31 December 2014, the Company’s solvency ratio was 294.48%.

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  proposes  the  payment  of  a  final  dividend  of  RMB0.40  per  share  (inclusive  of 
tax), subject to the shareholders’ approval at the 2014 Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday, 28 May 2015.

The Company continued to actively undertake its corporate social responsibility. Relying on its competitive advantages 
in  professionalism  and  business  scale,  the  Company  continued  to  develop  policy-oriented  businesses  including 
Supplementary  Major  Medical  Insurance  for  Urban  and  Township  Residents,  New  Village  Cooperative  Medical 
Insurance  and  New  Rural  Pension  Insurance,  as  well  as  Rural  Micro-insurance  business.  In  addition,  the  Company 
provided  insurance  coverage  for  astronauts,  aerospace  scientists,  and  over  160,000  college-graduate  village  officials. 
The  Company  actively  participated  in  public  welfare  and  charitable  undertakings.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  the 
Company  continually  donated  RMB30  million  to  the  China  Life  Foundation.  It  also  donated  over  RMB36  million 
through  the  China  Life  Foundation  to  relevant  organizations  to  provide  support  for  Wenchuan  earthquake  orphans, 
Yushu  earthquake  orphans  and  Zhouqu  mudslide  orphans;  to  provide  funding  for  the  poverty  alleviation  projects  in 
Yunxi  County  in  Hubei  Province,  and  Tiandeng  County  and  Longzhou  County  in  Guangxi  Zhuang  Autonomous 
Region;  to  provide  subsidies  for  families  bereft  of  their  only  child;  to  provide  funding  for  the  construction  of  kidney 
dialysis  clinics  in  grass-root  hospitals  in  some  rural  areas  in  Liaoning  Province;  to  provide  funding  for  equipping  rural 
hospitals  in  southern  Ningxia  mountainous  area  with  ambulances  and  color  type-B  ultrasonic  medical  devices;  and  to 
offer the “screening of two types of cancers” and the protection of serious diseases for women in poverty-stricken areas.

The  year  2015  marks  the  in-depth  and  thorough  implementation  of  “Opinions  on  Promoting  the  Development  of  the 
Modern  Insurance  Service  Industry”  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  “New  Ten  Rules”),  and  the  final  phase  of  China’s 
12th Five-Year Plan. Under the “new normal” state of China’s economic growth, the insurance industry will enter into 
a new period characterized by “leaping development, big challenges, major adjustments and great differentiations”. The 
industry’s  social  status  is  expected  to  be  further  elevated,  the  market  further  expanded,  the  pace  of  innovation  further 
accelerated,  and  the  development  environment  further  optimized.  The  Company  will  seek  to  speed  up  its  business 
development, make breakthroughs in the “Five Focuses” and overcome bottleneck problems by adhering to the working 
guidelines of “capturing opportunities, acting proactively, advancing prudently and developing innovatively” and firmly 
implementing  the  operation  ideas  of  “emphasizing  value,  strengthening  sales  force,  optimizing  structure  and  achieving 
stable growth”, to strive to strengthen the Company’s sustainable development capacity and core competitiveness, and to 
embark on a new march of transformation and upgrading.

The  Company  will  aim  to  maintain  its  leading  position  in  the  market  by  striving  for  a  stable  growth,  and  to  increase 
the new business value by deeply advancing the structural adjustment. With the exclusive individual agents as the main 
channel, the Company will further accelerate the development of insurance businesses with mid- and long-term regular 
premiums,  improve  the  group  insurance  channel  business  and  its  benefit  contribution,  accelerate  the  development  of 
bancassurance businesses with regular premiums and push forward transformation of the bancassurance channel, actively 
enhance the construction and development of new sales channels such as tele-sales, online sales and direct sales over the 

2 

Calculated according to the premium data of life insurance companies in 2014 released by the CIRC.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Chairman’s Statement

counter.  Meanwhile,  the  Company  will  continue  to  make  strategic  investment  in  the  construction  of  the  sales  teams, 
promote  the  transformation  and  upgrading  of  the  traditional  sales  teams,  and  build  up,  from  a  high  starting  point,  a 
new  type  of  “comprehensive  individual  agent  team”  which  includes  among  others,  new  types  of  Service  &  Up-selling 
teams and new types of insurance planners. While reinforcing and improving its competitive advantages in county-level 
markets,  the  Company  will  take  more  proactive  and  effective  measures  to  further  accelerate  its  business  development 
in  some  key  cities.  Integration  and  interaction  in  resources  and  channels  will  be  realized  for  the  Company  to  reduce 
the  barrier  among  insurance  businesses  with  different  promotion  channels.  The  Company  will  further  implement  the 
“innovation-driven  development  strategy”  in  putting  more  efforts  in  product  innovation  and  establishing  an  efficient 
research  and  development  mechanism  to  satisfy  customers’  diversified  demands  for  insurance.  To  realize  a  higher  level 
of  operation  management  and  a  better  customer  experience,  the  Company  will  establish  the  “Rui  Operation”  mode 
with  multiple  service  contacts  at  the  front  end,  combined  with  shared  operations  at  the  provincial  level  and  intelligent 
operations  in  the  headquarter  and  construct  a  comprehensive  business  processing  system.  Finally,  the  Company  will 
operate strictly in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and take strict precautions against key risks to realize 
a sound and sustainable development.

The  “New  Ten  Rules”  brings  another  new  era  for  the  development  of  the  insurance  industry,  according  to  which,  the 
development of the insurance industry has been promoted from the industry’s will to the state’s will, and the Company 
will  take  full  advantages  of  such  policy-oriented  opportunities  and  proactively  gain  the  initiatives  in  the  industry’s 
new  round  of  development.  The  Company  will  continue  to  strengthen  its  cooperation  with  the  government,  accelerate 
the  development  of  policy-oriented  businesses  including  Supplementary  Major  Medical  Insurance  for  Urban  and 
Township Residents and New Village Cooperative Medical Insurance, and reinforce its leading position in the industry. 
Furthermore,  the  Company  will  actively  follow  up  with  the  implementation  process  of  individual  income  tax  deferred 
commercial  pension  policy  and  design  insurance  products  accordingly,  to  seize  market  opportunities.  Meanwhile,  the 
Company will further expand the pension and health insurance product lines, accelerate the development of commercial 
pension  and  health  business  and  promote  professional  management  of  health  insurance,  as  well  as  actively  explore  the 
interaction between commercial businesses and policy-oriented businesses.

In  such  a  new  situation  with  new  opportunities  and  new  challenges,  all  of  us  in  China  Life  will  strengthen  our 
confidence,  ride  on  the  momentum,  seize  every  opportunity  to  boost  development,  work  together  to  make 
breakthroughs, continuously push forward corporate transformation and upgrading and improve the Company’s capacity 
for sustainable development and core competences. By consistently following the corporate culture of “Success for you, 
by you”, the Company will aim to provide all customers with higher qualified services and create greater value for all the 
shareholders, and relentlessly strive to achieve a new success for China Life.

By Order of the Board
Yang Mingsheng
Chairman

Beijing, China
24 March 2015

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

From left to right:
Ms.  Huang  Xiumei,  Mr.  Li  Mingguang,  Mr.  Xu  Hengping,  Mr.  Miao  Ping,  Mr.  Lin  Dairen,  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan, 
Mr. Liu Anlin, Mr. Xu Haifeng, Mr. Yang Zheng

I  OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS IN 2014

In 2014, the Company achieved a steady growth of its business and maintained its leading position in the market, 
with  its  business  structure  significantly  optimized  and  the  operating  results  noticeably  improved.  During  the 
Reporting Period, net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company was RMB32,211 million, an increase 
of 30.1% from 2013; and one-year new business value was RMB23,253 million, an increase of 9.2% from 2013. 
As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company’s embedded value was RMB454,906 million, an increase of 
32.9% from 2013. During the Reporting Period, the Company’s net premiums earned was RMB330,105 million, 
an increase of 1.6% from 2013 with RMB285,574 million from life insurance business, decreased by 1.8% from 
2013,  RMB32,624  million  from  health  insurance  business,  increased  by  34.9%  from  2013,  RMB11,907  million 
from accident insurance business, increased by 20.3% from 2013; first-year premiums for policies with insurance 
duration  of  more  than  one  year  increased  by  1.4%  from  2013,  first-year  regular  premiums  increased  by  15.5% 
from  2013,  and  the  percentage  of  first-year  regular  premiums  in  first-year  premiums  for  policies  with  insurance 
duration  of  more  than  one  year  increased  to  39.94%  in  2014  from  35.05%  in  2013;  first-year  regular  premiums 
with 10 years or longer payment duration increased by 22.0% from 2013, and the percentage of first-year regular 
premiums with 10 years or longer payment duration in first-year regular premiums increased to 55.33% in 2014 
from 52.40% in 2013; renewal premiums decreased by 1.4% from 2013, and the percentage of renewal premiums 
in  gross  written  premiums  decreased  to  56.82%  in  2014  from  58.45%  in  2013.  As  at  31  December  2014,  the 
number of in-force policies increased by 11.3% from the end of 2013; the Policy Persistency Rate (14 months and 
26  months)3  reached  89.00%  and  86.00%,  respectively;  and  the  Surrender  Rate4  was  5.46%,  a  1.60  percentage 
point increase from 2013.

3 

4 

The  Persistency  Rate  for  long-term  individual  policy  is  an  important  operating  performance  indicator  for  life  insurance 

companies. It measures the ratio of in-force policies in a pool of policies after a certain period of time. It refers to the proportion 

of policies that are still effective during the designated month in the pool of policies whose issue date was 14 or 26 months ago.

Surrender  Rate  =  Surrender  payment/(Liability  of  long-term  insurance  contracts  at  the  beginning  of  the  period  +  Premium  of 

long-term insurance contracts)

10

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

With  respect  to  the  exclusive  individual  agent  channel,  its  business  scale  increased  steadily  and  the  business 
structure  was  optimized  evidently.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  gross  written  premiums  from  the  exclusive 
individual agent channel increased by 3.9% year-on-year; first-year premiums for policies with insurance duration 
of  more  than  one  year  increased  by  8.3%  year-on-year;  first-year  regular  premiums  increased  by  8.7%  year-on-
year;  first-year  regular  premiums  with  10  years  or  longer  payment  duration  increased  by  17.0%  year-on-year; 
the  percentages  of  first-year  regular  premiums  with  5  years  or  longer  payment  duration  and  first-year  regular 
premiums with 10 years or longer payment duration in gross first-year regular premiums were 96.03% and 68.36% 
respectively,  increased  by  10.23  and  4.89  percentage  points  year-on-year;  and  renewal  premiums  increased  by 
3.0%  year-on-year.  The  Company  achieved  fruitful  results  in  its  persistent  implementation  of  the  “effective 
expansion” strategy for team building. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company had a total of 743,000 
exclusive  individual  agents  which  increased  by  13.8%  from  2013.  The  Company  continued  to  promote  the 
professional  development  for  the  exclusive  individual  agent  channel,  and  achieved  great  results  in  both  product 
strategy and sales planning.

With  respect  to  the  group  insurance  channel,  businesses  with  higher  profit  margin  maintained  a  relatively  fast 
growth, and the overall premiums volume remained stable. During the Reporting Period, gross written premiums 
of  the  group  insurance  channel  remained  stable;  short-term  insurance  premiums  increased  by  12.7%  year-on-
year and short-term accident insurance premiums increased by 14.5% year-on-year. The group insurance channel 
actively provided services for economic and social development, participated in the building of the social security 
system, broadened the service areas by actively developing the medical insurance business in the high-end market, 
and  effectively  improved  the  development  of  insurance  for  college-graduate  village  officials,  planned  birth 
insurance  and  accident  insurance  for  senior  citizens.  The  Company  also  actively  operated  the  multinational  co-
insurance business and the international insurance business such as the travel insurance for Sino-Russian tourism. 
As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company had a total of 19,000 group insurance sales representatives in 
the group insurance channel.

With respect to the bancassurance channel, the Company actively responded to new changes in regulatory policies 
and new challenges from market competition by strengthening product innovation, deepening channel cooperation 
and  enhancing  the  construction  of  sales  team.  While  maintaining  the  business  to  a  certain  scale,  the  Company 
actively  adjusted  its  business  structure,  made  great  efforts  in  developing  businesses  with  regular  premiums  and 
achieved preliminary results in its transformation. During the Reporting Period, gross written premiums from the 
bancassurance  channel  decreased  by  7.3%  year-on-year,  first-year  premiums  of  policies  with  insurance  duration 
of  more  than  one  year  decreased  by  0.4%  year-on-year,  first-year  regular  premiums  increased  by  41.0%  year-on-
year, and first-year regular premiums with 5 years or longer payment duration increased by 98.5% year-on-year. As 
at the end of the Reporting Period, the number of intermediary bancassurance outlets was 61,000, with a total of 
71,000 sales representatives.

In 2014, China’s equity market and bond market were both bullish with yields of bonds continued their downside 
trend,  and  valuations  of  blue  chip  shares  increased  significantly.  The  Company  actively  responded  to  the  capital 
market  by  continuously  diversifying  investment  products  and  channels  and  optimizing  asset  allocation  structure. 
In  terms  of  investment  portfolios,  the  Company  increased  its  allocation  in  equity,  other  financial  products  and 
high-grade  credit  bonds;  in  terms  of  investment  management,  the  Company  substantially  pushed  forward  the 
market-oriented  entrusted  investment  management  for  both  domestic  and  international  market,  and  promoted 

11

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

diversification of investment styles and strategies; in terms of investment territories, the Company explored various 
ways  of  overseas  investment,  prudently  pushed  forward  overseas  commercial  real  estate  project  investment,  and 
the  pilot  program  of  open  market  strategies.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s  investment 
assets  reached  RMB2,100,870  million,  an  increase  of  13.6%  from  the  end  of  2013.  Among  the  major  types  of 
investments,  the  percentage  of  bonds  decreased  to  44.77%  from  47.25%  as  at  the  end  of  2013,  the  percentage 
of  term  deposits  decreased  to  32.85%  from  35.93%  as  at  the  end  of  2013,  the  percentage  of  equity  investment 
allocation  increased  to  11.23%  from  8.39%  as  at  the  end  of  2013,  and  the  financial  assets5  allocation  such  as 
the  debt  investment  plans  and  trust  schemes  increased  to  4.32%  from  3.14%  as  at  the  end  of  2013.  During  the 
Reporting Period, interest income increased steadily, and net investment yield6 was 4.71%. Spread income and fair 
value  gains  and  losses  increased  significantly  and  the  impairment  losses  of  assets  decreased  noticeably,  as  a  result 
of  which  the  gross  investment  yield  was  5.36%  and  gross  investment  yield  including  share  of  profit  of  associates 
and joint ventures7 was 5.45%. The comprehensive investment yield taking into account the current net fair value 
changes of available-for-sale financial assets recognized in other comprehensive income8 was 8.56%.

In  2014,  the  Company  thoroughly  implemented  the  “innovation-driven  development  strategy”.  The  Company 
stepped  up  the  efforts  in  developing  innovative  products,  and  launched  41  new  products,  including  a  cancer 
insurance  product.  The  Company  received  industrial  awards  for  6  of  these  41  new  products.  The  Company 
innovated the sales modes with the strategy of innovating product portfolios and effectively promoted the sales of 
its  major  products.  The  Company  achieved  quick  development  and  value  enhancement  of  regular  premiums  of 
long-term insurance business by innovating sales methods and reinforcing customer relation management through 
various  customer  value-added  activities.  The  Company  made  great  efforts  in  channel  innovation  and  carried  out 
pilot  program  of  direct  sales  over  the  counter,  which  generated  over  RMB3  billion  of  premiums  from  the  sale  of 
new policies over the counters in all branches of the Company. With the smooth implementation of innovation in 
services  and  technology,  the  internet  technology  has  been  increasingly  applied  in  the  Company’s  businesses.  For 
example, the E-customer Service with on-line services and the mobile phone app services as its core was launched, 
and the electronic policies for the short-term insurance business were adopted; the number of E-China Life users 
reached  710,000  and  the  number  of  registered  users  of  Cloud  Assistant  reached  470,000.  With  the  launch  of  a 
smart  claim  settlement  platform,  the  average  claim  settlement  efficiency  was  increased  by  8.9%.  The  Company 
further  improved  its  service  by  pushing  forward  the  pilot  program  of  “95519”  call  center  consolidation  and 
optimized its operation management model by carrying out the centralized pilot programs in “two-core” regions, 
improved  customer  experience  by  organizing  service  experience  activities  and  optimizing  58  service  processes.  By 

5 

6 

7 

8 

Including  debt  investment  plans,  trust  schemes,  project  asset-backed  plans,  asset-backed  securities  and  specialized  asset 

management plans.

Net  investment  yield  =  (Investment  income  +  Net  income  from  investment  properties  –  Business  tax  and  extra  charges  for 

investment) / ((Investment assets at the beginning of the period + Investment assets at the end of the period) / 2)

Gross  investment  yield  including  share  of  profit  of  associates  and  joint  ventures  =  (Investment  income  +  Net  realised  gains/

(losses) and impairment on financial assets + Net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss + Total income from investment 

properties – Business tax and extra charges for investment + Share of profit of associates and joint ventures) / ((Investment assets 

at the beginning of the period + Investments in associates and joint ventures at the beginning of the period + Investment assets at 

the end of the period + Investments in associates and joint ventures at the end of the period) / 2)

Comprehensive  investment  yield  =  (Investment  income  +  Net  realised  gains/(losses)  and  impairment  on  financial  assets  +  Net 

fair  value  gains/(losses)  through  profit  or  loss  +  Current  net  fair  value  changes  of  available-for-sale  securities  recognized  in 

other  comprehensive  income  +  Total  income  from  investment  properties  –  Business  tax  and  extra  charges  for  investment)  / 

((Investment assets at the beginning of the period + Investment assets at the end of the period) / 2)

12

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

accelerating the mechanism innovation in investment management, the Company made breakthroughs in market-
oriented entrusted investment management for Chinese domestic and overseas market. 15 domestic and 8 overseas 
professional  investment  management  institutions,  which  were  selected  in  the  first  round  by  the  Company  to 
manage different types of investment portfolios, generated periodical results.

The  Company  continuously  complied  with  Section  404  of  the  U.S.  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act.  Meanwhile,  it 
implemented  procedures  for  the  compliance  with  standard  systems  of  corporate  internal  control  by  following 
the  “Standard  Regulations  on  Corporate  Internal  Control”  and  the  “Implementation  Guidelines  for  Corporate 
Internal Control” jointly issued by five PRC ministries including the Ministry of Finance and the “Basic Standards 
of  Internal  Control  for  Insurance  Companies”  issued  by  the  CIRC.  In  addition,  the  Company  benchmarked  its 
internal control system to the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the U.S. Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) in order to adapt to new framework requirements. The Company continuously 
complied with the “Guidelines for the Implementation of Comprehensive Risk Management of Personal Insurance 
Companies”  issued  by  the  CIRC,  improved  the  comprehensive  risk  management  framework,  reinforced  the 
mechanism  of  “top-down”  transmission  for  its  risk  preference  system,  implemented  the  work  in  relation  to  risk 
monitoring  and  risk  early-warning  classification  management,  conducted  quantitative  analysis  of  operating  risk 
management, and improved its precaution capability in key risk areas.

II  ANALYSIS OF MAJOR ITEMS OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE 

INCOME

(1)  Total Revenues

For the year ended 31 December 

Net premiums earned 
  Life insurance business 
  Health insurance business 
  Accident insurance business 
Investment income 
Net realised gains and impairment on financial assets 
Net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss 
Other income 

2014 

330,105 
285,574 
32,624 
11,907 
93,548 
7,120 
5,808 
4,185 

RMB million
2013

324,813
290,738
24,180
9,895
82,816
5,793
137
4,324

Total 

440,766 

417,883

Net Premiums Earned

1. 

Life Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  net  premiums  earned  from  life  insurance  business  decreased  by  1.8% 
from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  Company’s  proactive  control  on  the  single  premiums 
volume and a decrease in the renewal premiums earned.

2.  Health Insurance Business

During  the  Reporting  Period,  net  premiums  earned  from  health  insurance  business  increased  by 
34.9%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  Company’s  enhanced  efforts  in  developing  health 
insurance business.

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

3. 

Accident Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  net  premiums  earned  from  accident  insurance  business  increased  by 
20.3%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  Company’s  enhanced  efforts  in  adjusting  business 
structure,  implementing  active  financial  policies,  strengthening  team  building  and  motivating  local 
branches’ initiatives in business expansion.

Gross written premiums categorized by business:

For the year ended 31 December 

Life Insurance Business 
  First-year business 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
Health Insurance Business 
  First-year business 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
Accident Insurance Business 
  First-year business 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 

2014 

285,619 
111,346 
70,006 
41,340 
174,273 
33,192 
19,525 
14,459 
5,066 
13,667 
12,199 
12,049 
11,888 
161 
150 

RMB million
2013

290,778
110,946
74,629
36,317
179,832
24,713
13,829
9,995
3,834
10,884
10,799
10,788
10,633
155
11

Total 

331,010 

326,290

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

2014 

205,417 
34,455 
335 
34,120 
165,131 
5,831 
17,440 
2,989 
2,878 
111 
506 
13,945 
99,825 
77,881 
65,918 
11,963 
21,815 
129 
8,328 
1,262 
889 
373 
638 
6,428 

RMB million
2013

197,698
31,815
413
31,402
160,302
5,581
17,658
4,720
4,561
159
563
12,375
107,658
78,178
69,695
8,483
29,387
93
3,276
280
18
262
475
2,521

331,010 

326,290

Gross written premiums categorized by channel:

For the year ended 31 December 

Exclusive Individual Agent Channel 
  First-year business of long-term insurance 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
  Short-term insurance business 
Group Insurance Channel 
  First-year business of long-term insurance 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
  Short-term insurance business 
Bancassurance Channel 
  First-year business of long-term insurance 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
  Short-term insurance business 
Other Channels1 
  First-year business of long-term insurance 

  Single 
  First-year regular 

  Renewal business 
  Short-term insurance business 

Total 

Notes:

1.   Other channels mainly include supplementary major medical insurance business, telephone sales, etc.

2.  

The  Company’s  channel  premium  breakdown  was  presented  based  on  the  separate  groups  of  sales  personnels 

including  exclusive  individual  agent  team,  direct  sales  representatives,  bancassurance  sales  team,  and  other 

distribution channels.

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

Investment Income

For the year ended 31 December 

Investment income from securities at fair value through profit or loss 
Investment income from available-for-sale securities 
Investment income from held-to-maturity securities 
Investment income from bank deposits 
Investment income from loans 
Other investment income 

2014 

1,677 
23,029 
25,357 
34,934 
8,138 
413 

RMB million
2013

1,542
19,596
22,588
32,667
5,773
650

Total 

93,548 

82,816

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Investment Income from Securities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss
During  the  Reporting  Period,  investment  income  from  securities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss 
increased  by  8.8%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  interest  income  from  debt 
securities at fair value through profit or loss.

Investment Income from Available-for-Sale Securities
During the Reporting Period, investment income from available-for-sale securities increased by 17.5% 
from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in dividend income from available-for-sale funds and 
interest income from available-for-sale debt securities.

Investment Income from Held-to-Maturity Securities
During the Reporting Period, investment income from held-to-maturity securities increased by 12.3% 
from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  interest  income  resulting  from  the  Company’s 
increased allocation in high-grade credit bonds and financial bonds in light of market conditions.

Investment Income from Bank Deposits
During  the  Reporting  Period,  investment  income  from  bank  deposits  increased  by  6.9%  from  2013. 
This was primarily due to a slight increase in the allocation volume of ordinary term deposits.

Investment Income from Loans
During the Reporting Period, investment income from loans increased by 41.0% from 2013. This was 
primarily due to an increase in the volume of policy loans and the Company’s increased allocation in 
diversified investments such as the debt investment plans and trust schemes.

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

Net Realised Gains and Impairment on Financial Assets
During the Reporting Period, net realised gains and impairment on financial assets increased by 22.9% from 
2013. This was primarily due to a decrease in impairment losses of available-for-sale stocks and an increase 
in spread income from trading funds.

Net Fair Value Gains/(Losses) through Profit or Loss
During the Reporting Period, net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss increased by 4,139.4% from 
2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  a  significant  increase  in  the  allocation  of  securities  at  fair  value  through 
profit or loss and an increase in the market value of these securities.

Other Income
During the Reporting Period, other income decreased by 3.2% from 2013, remaining stable.

(2)  Benefits, Claims and Expenses

For the year ended 31 December  

Insurance benefits and claims expenses 
  Life insurance business 
  Health insurance business 
  Accident insurance business 
Investment contract benefits 
Policyholder dividends resulting from participation in profits 
Underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
Finance costs 
Administrative expenses 
Other expenses 
Statutory insurance fund contribution 

2014 

315,294 
288,868 
22,434 
3,992 
1,958 
24,866 
27,147 
4,726 
25,432 
4,151 
701 

RMB million
2013

312,288
293,932
15,055
3,301
1,818
18,423
25,690
4,032
24,805
3,864
637

Total 

404,275 

391,557

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

Insurance Benefits and Claims Expenses

1 

2 

3 

Life Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  insurance  benefits  and  claims  expenses  attributable  to  life  insurance 
business decreased by 1.7% from 2013. This was primarily due to a decrease in maturities payable of 
life insurance business.

Health Insurance Business
During the Reporting Period, insurance benefits and claims expenses attributable to health insurance 
business increased by 49.0% from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in the volume of health 
insurance business.

Accident Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  insurance  benefits  and  claims  expenses  attributable  to  accident 
insurance  business  increased  by  20.9%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  the 
volume of accident insurance business.

Investment Contract Benefits
During the Reporting Period, investment contract benefits increased by 7.7% from 2013. This was primarily 
due to an increase in the volume of certain investment contracts.

Policyholder Dividends Resulting from Participation in Profits
During  the  Reporting  Period,  policyholder  dividends  resulting  from  participation  in  profits  increased  by 
35.0% from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in investment yields for the participating products.

Underwriting and Policy Acquisition Costs
During the Reporting Period, underwriting and policy acquisition costs increased by 5.7% from 2013. This 
was primarily due to an increase in underwriting costs for first-year regular premium business resulting from 
an improvement in the Company’s business structure.

Finance Costs
During  the  Reporting  Period,  finance  costs  increased  by  17.2%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  an 
increase in interest payments for securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Administrative Expenses
During the Reporting Period, administrative expenses increased by 2.5% from 2013. This was primarily due 
to  an  effective  curb  on  administrative  expenses  growth  resulting  from  the  Company’s  enhanced  efforts  in 
cost control.

Other Expenses
During  the  Reporting  Period,  other  expenses  increased  by  7.4%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to 
an  increase  in  business  taxes  and  surcharges  expenses  resulting  from  an  increase  in  taxable  income  from 
investment.

18

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

2014 

30,651 
3,252 
1,546 
4,953 

RMB million
2013

22,038
2,739
608
4,066

40,402 

29,451

(3)  Profit before Income Tax9

For the year ended 31 December 

Life insurance business 
Health insurance business 
Accident insurance business 
Other business 

Total 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Life Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  profit  before  income  tax  in  life  insurance  business  increased  by  39.1% 
from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in investment yield.

Health Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  profit  before  income  tax  in  health  insurance  business  increased  by 
18.7% from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in business volume and investment yield.

Accident Insurance Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  profit  before  income  tax  in  accident  insurance  business  increased  by 
154.3% from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in business volume and an improvement in 
business quality.

Other Business
During  the  Reporting  Period,  profit  before  income  tax  in  other  business  increased  by  21.8%  from 
2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  investment  yield  of  subsidiaries  and  net  profits  of 
associates.

(4)  Income Tax

During  the  Reporting  Period,  income  tax  of  the  Company  was  RMB7,888  million,  a  77.5%  increase  from 
2013. This was primarily due to the combined effect of taxable income and deferred tax.

9 

In  response  to  favorable  market  opportunities  for  health  insurance  and  accident  insurance  businesses  in  recent  years,  the 

Company  has  increased  its  efforts  in  developing  health  insurance  and  accident  insurance  businesses.  In  particular,  the  health 

insurance business has been growing rapidly and the income generated from health insurance business has increased gradually as 

a percentage of the Company’s gross written premiums. Meanwhile, the income derived from the previously reported group life 

insurance,  short-term  insurance  and  supplementary  major  medical  insurance  segments  represented  an  insignificant  percentage 

of  the  Company’s  gross  written  premiums.  In  order  to  better  reflect  the  changes  in  the  Company’s  external  environment, 

its  business  structure  and  the  objectives  of  its  future  development,  as  well  as  providing  the  report  readers  with  more  useful 

information,  the  Company  has  realigned  the  composition  of  its  reporting  segments  by  changing  the  previously  reported 

individual life insurance, group life insurance, short-term insurance, supplementary major medical insurance and other segments 

into  four  newly  identified  segments,  namely  life  insurance,  health  insurance,  accident  insurance  and  other.  The  Company’s 

management has conducted analysis and evaluation on the operating results based on the new reporting segments in 2014. For a 

detailed discussion, please refer to our financial statements.

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

(5)  Net Profit

During  the  Reporting  Period,  net  profit  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  Company  was  RMB32,211 
million,  a  30.1%  increase  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  increase  in  investment  yield  and  the 
change of discount rate assumption of reserves of traditional insurance contracts.

III  ANALYSIS  OF  MAJOR  ITEMS  OF  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT  OF  FINANCIAL 

POSITION

(1)  Major Assets

Investment assets 
  Term deposits 
  Held-to-maturity securities 
  Available-for-sale securities 
  Securities at fair value through profit or loss 
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
  Cash and cash equivalents 
  Loans 
  Statutory deposits – restricted 

Investment properties 

Other assets 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 

RMB million
As at 31
December 2013

2,100,870 
690,156 
517,283 
607,531 
53,052 
11,925 
47,034 
166,453 
6,153 
1,283 
145,697 

1,848,681
664,174
503,075
491,527
34,172
8,295
21,330
118,626
6,153
1,329
124,260

2,246,567 

1,972,941

Term Deposits
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  term  deposits  increased  by  3.9%  from  the  end  of  2013.  This  was 
primarily due to the increased allocation volume of ordinary term deposits.

Held-to-Maturity Securities
As at the end of the Reporting Period, held-to-maturity securities increased by 2.8% from the end of 2013. 
This was primarily due to the increased allocation in high-grade credit bonds and financial bonds in light of 
market conditions.

Available-for-Sale Securities
As at the end of the Reporting Period, available-for-sale securities increased by 23.6% from the end of 2013. 
This  was  primarily  due  to  the  increased  allocation  in  high-grade  credit  bonds  and  funds  in  light  of  market 
conditions.

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

Securities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss
As at the end of the Reporting Period, securities at fair value through profit or loss increased by 55.2% from 
the end of 2013. This was primarily due to the increased allocation in common stocks at fair value through 
profit or loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
As at the end of the Reporting Period, cash and cash equivalents increased by 120.5% from the end of 2013. 
This was primarily due to the needs for liquidity management.

Loans
As at the end of the Reporting Period, loans increased by 40.3% from the end of 2013. This was primarily 
due to an increase in policy loans volume and the increased allocation in diversified investments such as debt 
investment plans and trust schemes.

Investment Properties
As at the end of the Reporting Period, investment properties decreased by 3.5% from the end of 2013. This 
was primarily due to a depreciation of the investment properties.

As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  our  investment  assets  are  categorized  as  below  in  terms  of  asset 
classes:

As at 31 December 2014 

As at 31 December 2013

Amount 

Percentage 

Amount 

Percentage

RMB million

Fixed-maturity investments 
  Term deposits 
  Bonds 

Insurance asset management products1 

  Other fixed-maturity investments2 
Equity investments 
  Common stocks 
  Funds 
  Other equity investments3 
Investment properties 
Cash, cash equivalents and others4 

1,804,598 
690,156 
940,619 
62,348 
111,475 
236,030 
94,933 
83,620 
57,477 
1,283 
58,959 

85.90% 
32.85% 
44.77% 
2.97% 
5.31% 
11.23% 
4.52% 
3.98% 
2.73% 
0.06% 
2.81% 

1,662,770 
664,174 
873,585 
55,107 
69,904 
154,957 
79,727 
58,991 
16,239 
1,329 
29,625 

89.94%
35.93%
47.25%
2.98%
3.78%
8.39%
4.31%
3.19%
0.89%
0.07%
1.60%

Total 

Notes:

2,100,870 

100% 

1,848,681 

100%

1. 

Insurance asset management products under fixed-maturity investments include infrastructure and real estate debt 

investment plans and project asset-backed plans.

2. 

3. 

4. 

Other fixed-maturity investments include policy loans, trust schemes, statutory deposits – restricted, etc.

Other equity investments include private equity funds, unlisted equities, equity investment plans, etc.

Cash, cash equivalents and others include cash and cash equivalents and securities purchased under agreements to 

resell.

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

(2)  Major Liabilities

Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Policyholder dividends payable 
Annuity and other insurance balances payable 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Bonds payable 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Other liabilities 

As at 31  
December 2014 

RMB million
As at 31 
December 2013

1,603,446 
72,275 
46,089 
74,745 
25,617 
2,623 
67,989 
19,375 
47,077 

1,494,497
65,087
20,426
49,536
23,179
–
67,985
4,919
24,727

Total 

1,959,236 

1,750,356

Insurance Contracts
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  insurance  contracts  liabilities  increased  by  7.3%  from  the  end  of 
2013. This was primarily due to the accumulation of insurance liabilities from new insurance business and 
renewal  business.  As  at  the  date  of  the  statement  of  financial  position,  the  Company’s  insurance  contracts 
reserves passed liability adequacy testing.

Investment Contracts
As at the end of the Reporting Period, account balance of investment contracts increased by 11.0% from the 
end of 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in the volume of certain investment contracts.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
As at the end of the Reporting Period, securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased by 125.6% 
from the end of 2013. This was primarily due to the needs for liquidity management.

Policyholder Dividends Payable
As at the end of the Reporting Period, policyholder dividends payable increased by 50.9% from the end of 
2013. This was primarily due to an increase in investment yields for participating products.

Annuity and Other Insurance Balances Payable
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  annuity  and  other  insurance  balances  payable  increased  by  10.5% 
from the end of 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in maturities payable.

Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings
In  June  2014,  to  meet  the  needs  of  overseas  investment,  one  of  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  applied  for  a 
fixed-interest  rate  bank  loan  of  GBP275  million  with  a  term  of  five  years.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting 
Period, the loan balance was RMB2,623 million.

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

Bonds Payable
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  bonds  payable  remained  stable  from  the  end  of  2013.  This  was 
primarily due to the fact that no subordinated debts were issued by the Company in 2014.

Deferred Tax Liabilities
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  deferred  tax  liabilities  increased  by  293.9%  from  the  end  of  2013. 
This was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of the available-for-sale financial assets.

(3)  Equity Holders’ Equity

As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  equity  holders’  equity  was  RMB284,121  million,  a  29.0%  increase 
from  the  end  of  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  combined  effect  of  an  increase  in  the  fair  value  of 
available-for-sale financial assets and the profit gains during the Reporting Period.

IV  ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS

(1)  Liquidity Sources

Our  principal  cash  inflows  come  from  insurance  premiums,  deposits  from  investment  contracts,  proceeds 
from sales and maturity of financial assets, and investment income. The primary liquidity risks with respect 
to  these  cash  inflows  are  the  risk  of  early  withdrawals  by  contract  holders  and  policyholders,  as  well  as 
the  risks  of  default  by  debtors,  interest  rate  changes  and  other  market  volatilities.  We  closely  monitor  and 
manage these risks.

Our cash and bank deposits can provide us with a source of liquidity to meet normal cash outflows. As at the 
end of the Reporting Period, the amount of cash and cash equivalents was RMB47,034 million. In addition, 
substantially all of our term deposits with banks allow us to withdraw funds on deposit, subject to a penalty 
interest  charge.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  amount  of  term  deposits  was  RMB690,156 
million.

Our investment portfolio also provides us with a source of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows. We 
are  also  subject  to  market  liquidity  risk  due  to  the  large  size  of  our  investments  in  some  of  the  markets  in 
which we invest. In some circumstances, some of our holdings of investment securities may be large enough 
to have an influence on the market value. These factors may limit our ability to sell these investments or sell 
them at a fair price.

(2)  Liquidity Uses

Our principal cash outflows primarily relate to the payables for the liabilities associated with our various life 
insurance, annuity, accident insurance and health insurance products, operating expenses, income taxes and 
dividends  that  may  be  declared  and  paid  to  our  equity  holders.  Cash  outflows  arising  from  our  insurance 
activities primarily relate to benefit payments under these insurance products, as well as payments for policy 
surrenders, withdrawals and loans.

We believe that our sources of liquidity are sufficient to meet our current cash requirements.

23

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

(3)  Consolidated Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December  

Net cash inflow from operating activities 
Net cash outflow from investing activities 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 
Foreign currency gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents 

2014 

78,247 
(69,257) 
16,704 
10 

RMB million
2013

68,292
(60,233)
(56,105)
(76)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

25,704 

(48,122)

We  have  established  a  cash  flow  testing  system,  and  conduct  regular  tests  to  monitor  the  cash  inflows  and 
outflows under various changing circumstances and adjust accordingly the asset portfolio to ensure sufficient 
sources  of  liquidity.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  net  cash  inflow  from  operating  activities  increased  by 
14.6% from 2013. This was primarily due to an increase in cash flows from policyholders’ investment. Net 
cash  outflow  from  investing  activities  increased  by  15.0%  from  2013.  This  was  primarily  due  to  the  needs 
for investment management. The change in net cash flow from financing activities was primarily due to the 
needs for liquidity management.

V 

SOLVENCY RATIO
The solvency ratio of an insurance company is a measure of capital adequacy, which is calculated by dividing the 
actual capital of the company (which is its admitted assets less admitted liabilities, determined in accordance with 
relevant  rules)  by  the  minimum  capital  it  is  required  to  meet.  The  following  table  shows  our  solvency  ratio  as  at 
the end of the Reporting Period:

Actual capital 
Minimum capital 
Solvency ratio 

As at 31  
December 2014 

RMB million
As at 31 
December 2013

236,151 
80,193 
294.48% 

168,501
74,485
226.22%

The  Company’s  solvency  ratio  increased  due  to  a  significant  increase  in  the  comprehensive  income  during  the 
Reporting Period.

24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

VI  ANALYSIS OF CORE COMPETITIVENESS

The Company has the advantage of very strong brand recognition. It is the only life insurance company in China 
with  shares  listed  on  the  Shanghai  Stock  Exchange,  the  Hong  Kong  Stock  Exchange  and  the  New  York  Stock 
Exchange.  It  is  also  a  core  member  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  which  is  one  of  the  “Fortune 
Global  500”  and  the  “World’s  500  Most  Influential  Brands”.  In  2014,  the  brand  of  China  Life  has  been  ranked 
as  one  of  the  “World’s  500  Most  Influential  Brands”  published  by  World  Brand  Lab  for  eight  consecutive  years. 
The brand was also ranked as No. 5 on the “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list, with brand value estimated at 
RMB174,536 million, continuously ranking No.1 among the insurance industry.

The  Company  has  an  extensive  services  and  distribution  network  in  China,  with  its  business  outlets  and  services 
counters  covering  both  urban  and  rural  areas.  The  743,000  exclusive  individual  agents,  19,000  direct  sales 
representatives, 61,000 intermediary bancassurance outlets and 71,000 sales representatives at those bancassurance 
outlets  form  a  unique  distribution  and  services  network  in  China,  and  make  the  Company  the  life  insurance 
service  provider  closest  to  the  customers.  Making  use  of  internationally  leading  information  technology  and 
expanding telephone, Internet, email and other electronic service channels, the Company strives to meet customer 
demand for purchasing insurance products through multiple channels.

The Company has the most extensive customer base. As at 31 December 2014, the Company had approximately 
197  million  long-term  individual  and  group  life  insurance  policies,  annuity  contracts  and  long-term  health 
insurance policies in force.

The Company possesses great financial strength. As at 31 December 2014, the registered capital of the Company 
was  RMB28,265  million.  The  total  assets  of  the  Company  reached  RMB2,246,567  million,  which  ranked  No.1 
in  China’s  life  insurance  industry.  As  at  the  end  of  2014,  the  total  market  capitalization  of  the  Company  was 
US$143,865 million, which ranked No.2 among all listed insurance companies in the world.

The  Company  is  one  of  the  largest  institutional  investors  in  China,  and  through  its  controlling  shareholding 
in  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  the  Company  is  the  largest  insurance  asset  management 
company in China. As at 31 December 2014, the investment assets reached RMB2,100,870 million, an increase of 
13.6% from the end of 2013.

The  Company  has  rich  experience  in  life  insurance  management.  The  predecessor  of  China  Life  was  the  first 
enterprise to underwrite life insurance business in China, and played the role of an explorer and pioneer in China’s 
life  insurance  industry.  During  the  long  course  of  its  development,  the  Company  has  accumulated  a  wealth  of 
experience in operation and management, has a stable, professional management team, and has become well versed 
in the art of management in China’s life insurance market.

25

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

VII  BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF OUR MAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES

Registered 
Capital

Shareholding

Total
Assets

Net
 Assets

4,000

60%

6,819

5,898

RMB million

Net
Profit

779

3,208

2,811

(161)

2,500Note

70.74% is held 
by the Company, 
and 3.53% is 
held by AMC

15,000

40%

52,769

16,893

1,407

Company Name

Business Scope

China Life Asset 
Management Company 
Limited

Management and utilization of proprietary funds; 
acting  as  agent  or  trustee  for  asset  management 
business; consulting business relevant to the above 
businesses;  other  assets  management  business 
permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations

China Life Pension 
Company Limited

China Life Property 
and Casualty Insurance 
Company Limited

Group  pension  insurance  and  annuity;  individual 
pension insurance and annuity; short-term health 
insurance;  accident  insurance;  reinsurance  of  the 
above insurance businesses; business for the use of 
insurance  funds  that  are  permitted  by  applicable 
PRC  laws  and  regulations;  other  business 
permitted by CIRC

Property  loss  insurance;  liability  insurance;  credit 
insurance  and  bond  insurance;  short-term  health 
insurance  and  accident  insurance;  reinsurance 
of  the  above  insurance  businesses;  business  for 
the  use  of  insurance  funds  that  are  permitted 
by  applicable  PRC  laws  and  regulations;  other 
business permitted by CIRC

Note:   On  31  December  2014,  the  CIRC  approved  an  application  made  by  Pension  Company  in  relation  to  the  change  of  its 

registered  capital,  as  a  result  of  which  the  paid-in  capital  of  Pension  Company  was  changed  from  RMB2,500  million  to 

RMB3,400 million. As at 31 December 2014, Pension Company did not complete all formalities relation to the change of 

registration with the department in charge of industrial and commercial administration and its registered capital remained 

at RMB2,500 million. The Company made a capital injection in Pension Company in the amount of RMB441 million. 

Upon completion of the capital increase, the shareholding percentage of the Company in Pension Company was changed 

from  87.4%  to  70.74%,  whereas  the  shareholding  percentage  of  AMC  in  Pension  Company  was  changed  from  4.8%  to 

3.53%.  Pension  Company  has  completed  its  formalities  in  relation  to  the  change  of  registration  with  the  department  in 

charge of industrial and commercial administration on 15 January 2015.

VIII USE OF RAISED AND NON-RAISED CAPITAL

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  had  neither  raised  capital  nor  used  capital  raised  in  the  previous 
periods.  The  Company  had  not  invested  in  any  major  projects  with  non-raised  capital,  the  total  investments  of 
which were over 10% of the audited equity holder’s equity as at the end of the previous year.

26

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

IX  FUTURE PROSPECT AND RISK ANALYSIS

In  2015,  the  Company  intends  to  strengthen  its  in-depth  analysis  of  macro-economic  trends  and  complex  risk 
factors  to  maintain  its  continuous  and  healthy  growth.  The  major  risk  factors  which  may  have  an  impact  on  the 
Company’s future development strategy and business objectives include:

1.   Risks relating to macro trends

In 2015, the world economy will remain in the period of in-depth adjustments with insufficient momentum 
for  recovery.  As  the  impact  of  non-economical  factors,  such  as  geopolitics,  intensifies,  greater  fluctuation 
will be seen in the international financial market, which will cause increased uncertainties. China’s economic 
development  is  at  the  stage  of  “superimposition  of  three  periods”,  enters  the  “new  normal”  state,  and  is 
evolving into a stage with more advanced patterns, more sophisticated division of work and more reasonable 
structures.  Changes  in  international  and  domestic  markets  will  be  transferred  to  the  insurance  industry 
through  multiple  channels  such  as  the  real  economy,  financial  markets  and  consumer  demands,  which 
will in turn affect the business development, use of funds and solvency in various aspects, and increase the 
difficulties and pressures for the insurance industry to adapt to and lead the “new normal” state.

2.  Risks relating to our business

China’s  insurance  industry  remains  at  a  significant  stage  with  significant  strategic  opportunities.  At  this 
stage,  the  form  of  development  of  the  insurance  industry  is  in  urgent  need  of  change  as  financial  reform 
enters  into  a  new  stage,  market-oriented  interest  rate  reform  accelerates,  market-oriented  premium  rate 
reform  moves  forward  steadily,  trend  of  mixed  financial  operations  becomes  increasingly  apparent  and 
technologies  such  as  Internet  and  big  data  penetrate  deeply.  The  industry  shall  actively  take  part  in  trans-
boundary  competitions  and  achieve  transformation  and  upgrade  while  reinforcing  the  traditional  insurance 
advantages.  Affected  by  these  factors,  the  Company  is  experiencing  more  difficulties  in  maintaining  steady 
business  growth,  as  well  as  facing  more  uncertainties  and  complexities.  Due  to  factors  such  as  investment 
income,  it  may  be  more  difficult  for  the  Company  to  improve  its  operational  results,  which  may  in  turn 
cause  more  irregular  policy  surrenders.  Meanwhile,  factors  such  as  relatively  slow  growth  of  the  sales  force 
and its high turnover rate may also adversely affect the business development of the Company.

3.   Risks relating to investments

In  light  of  the  complexity  of  the  domestic  and  international  economies,  the  uncertain  financial  markets 
may  adversely  affect  the  Company’s  investment  income  and  the  book  value  of  its  assets.  In  addition, 
with  the  gradual  expansion  of  the  investment  scope  for  insurance  funds,  the  Company  may  invest  some 
of  its  insurance  funds  through  new  investment  channels,  utilize  new  investment  vehicles  or  appoint  new 
investment management entity, which may have an impact on its investment income and the book value of 
its  assets.  Moreover,  some  of  the  Company’s  assets  are  held  in  foreign  currencies,  which  may  be  adversely 
affected by exchange rate movements if the exchange rate of Renminbi continues to appreciate.

27

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Management Discussion and Analysis

In  2015,  the  Company  intends  to  constantly  implement  the  “innovation-driven  development  strategy”  in 
great  depth,  reinforces  the  business  philosophy  of  “focusing  on  value,  enhancing  personnel,  optimizing 
structure, and maintaining growth” and implements the operational strategies of “strengthening benchmarks 
and  focusing  on  breakthroughs”  to  improve  the  Company’s  sustainable  development  capability  and  core 
competence  by  strengthening  confidence,  capturing  opportunities,  making  pioneering  efforts  and  acting 
proactively.  Given  the  above  mentioned  risk  factors,  the  Company  intends  to  firmly  adhere  to  its  core 
development objectives, and fine-tune its business development objectives in accordance with market trends 
to  an  appropriate  degree,  so  as  to  efficiently  respond  to  challenges  from  market  competitors  and  changes 
in  the  external  environment.  Meanwhile,  the  Company  intends  to  focus  on  innovation  in  mechanisms, 
building  of  sales  force,  innovation  in  products,  services  and  technology,  in  order  to  constantly  enhance  its 
vitality, creativity, competitiveness and capacity for sustainable development. The Company believes that it 
will have sufficient capital to meet its insurance business expenditures and general new investment needs in 
2015. At the same time, the Company will make corresponding arrangements in accordance with the capital 
market  conditions  to  further  implement  its  future  business  development  strategies  if  there  is  any  further 
capital requirement.

28

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

From left to right:
Mr. Huang Yiping, Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh, Mr. Miao Ping, Mr. Su Hengxuan, Mr. Lin Dairen, 
Mr. Yang Mingsheng, Mr. Miao Jianmin, Mr. Zhang Xiangxian, Mr. Wang Sidong, Mr. Bruce Douglas Moore, 
Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen

1.  PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

The Company is the largest life insurance company in China’s life insurance market and possesses the most extensive 
distribution  network  in  China,  comprising  exclusive  agents,  direct  sales  representatives  as  well  as  dedicated  and 
non-dedicated  agencies.  The  Company  provides  products  and  services  such  as  individual  and  group  life  insurance, 
accident  and  health  insurance.  The  Company  is  one  of  the  largest  institutional  investors  in  China,  and  is  China’s 
largest insurance asset management company through its controlling shareholding in China Life Asset Management 
Company Limited. The Company also has controlling shareholding in China Life Pension Company Limited.

2.  MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

For an analysis of the Company’s operating and financial results during the Reporting Period, please refer to the 
section headed “Management Discussion and Analysis” in this annual report.

3. 

FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROFIT DISTRIBUTION POLICY
(I) 

In  accordance  with  Article  211  of  the  Articles  of  Association,  the  basic  principles  of  the  Company’s  profit 
distribution are as follows:

1. 

2. 

The Company shall take the investment return for investors into full account and allocate the required 
percentage of the Company’s realized distributable profits to shareholders as dividends each year;

The Company shall maintain a sustainable and steady profit distribution policy and at the same time 
take into consideration the Company’s long-term interest, general interest of all the shareholders and 
the sustainable development of the Company;

3. 

The Company shall give priority to cash dividends as its profit distribution manner.

The “distributable profits” means the Company’s after-tax profits less the provisions for losses and the 
allocations to statutory funds that the Company is required to make.

29

 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

(II) 

In accordance with Article 212 of the Articles of Association, the Company’s profit distribution policy is as 
follows:

1. 

2. 

3. 

Profit  distribution  modes:  The  Company  may  distribute  dividends  in  the  form  of  cash  or  shares  or 
a  combination  of  cash  and  shares.  If  practicable,  the  Company  may  distribute  interim  dividends. 
The Company’s dividends shall not bear interest, save in the case the Company fails to distribute the 
dividends to the shareholders on the day when dividends were due to have been distributed.

Conditions  for  and  percentage  of  distribution  of  cash  dividends:  If  the  Company  makes  profits  in  a 
given year and the cumulative undistributed profit is positive, the Company shall distribute dividends 
in  the  form  of  cash  and  the  cumulative  profits  distributed  in  cash  over  the  past  three  years  by  the 
Company shall be no less than thirty percent (30%) of the average annual distributable profits. If the 
Company’s  solvency  ratio  is  less  than  a  hundred  percent  (100%)  of  the  regulatory  requirement,  the 
Company  shall  not  distribute  profits  to  its  shareholders.  If  the  Company’s  solvency  ratio  is  less  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  percent  (150%)  of  the  regulatory  requirement,  the  lower  of  the  following  two 
factors  shall  be  the  basis  for  profit  distribution:  (i)  the  distributable  profit  as  ascertained  under  the 
Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises; (ii) the residual overall income ascertained pursuant to 
the preparation rules of the Company’s solvency report.

Conditions  for  distribution  of  share  dividends:  If  the  Company’s  operation  is  sound  and  the  Board 
of Directors is of the opinion that share dividends distribution is in the interest of all the Company’s 
shareholders  since  the  Company’s  stock  price  does  not  match  the  Company’s  share  capital,  the 
Company  may  propose  a  share  dividends  distribution  plan  if  the  conditions  for  cash  dividends  listed 
above are satisfied.

(III)  In  accordance  with  Article  213  of  the  Articles  of  Association,  the  procedures  of  reviewing  the  Company’s 

profit distribution proposal is as follows:

The  Company’s  profit  distribution  proposal  shall  be  reviewed  by  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  Board  of 
Directors  shall  have  a  sufficient  discussion  of  the  reasonableness  of  the  profit  distribution  proposal.  After 
the  Company’s  Independent  Directors  give  their  independent  opinions  and  a  specific  resolution  regarding 
this  proposal  is  reached,  the  proposal  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Company’s  general  meeting  for  approval. 
In  reviewing  the  profit  distribution  proposal,  the  Company  shall  provide  Internet-based  voting  mechanism 
to  the  shareholders.  When  deliberating  on  specific  cash  dividend  proposal  by  the  Company’s  general 
meeting,  the  Company  shall  make  active  communication  with  shareholders,  especially  small  and  medium-
sized  shareholders,  through  various  channels.  The  Company  shall  also  fully  solicit  opinions  and  appeals 
from  small-  and  medium-sized  shareholders,  and  give  timely  reply  to  concerns  of  small-  and  medium-sized 
shareholders.

30

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

(IV)  Profit distribution plan and public reserves capitalization plan

1. 

Profit distribution plan or public reserves capitalization plan for the year of 2014

In accordance with the profit distribution plan for the year 2014 approved by the Board on 24 March 
2015,  with  the  appropriation  to  its  discretionary  surplus  reserve  fund  of  RMB3,160  million  (10% 
of  the  net  profit  for  2014),  the  Company,  based  on  28,264,705,000  shares  in  issue,  proposed  to 
distribute  cash  dividends  amounting  to  RMB11,306  million  to  all  shareholders  of  the  Company  at 
RMB0.40 per share (inclusive of tax). The foregoing profit distribution plan is subject to the approval 
by  the  2014  Annual  General  Meeting  to  be  held  on  28  May  2015  (Thursday).  Dividends  payable  to 
domestic  shareholders  are  declared,  valued  and  paid  in  RMB.  Dividends  payable  to  shareholders  of 
the Company’s foreign-listed shares are declared and valued in RMB and paid in the currency of the 
jurisdiction  in  which  the  foreign-listed  shares  are  listed  (if  the  Company  is  listed  in  more  than  one 
jurisdiction, dividends shall be paid in the currency of the Company’s principal jurisdiction of listing 
as determined by the Board). The Company shall pay dividends to shareholders of foreign-listed shares 
in conformity with PRC regulations on foreign exchange control. If no such regulations are in place, 
the  applicable  exchange  rate  is  the  average  closing  rate  published  by  the  People’s  Bank  of  China  one 
week before the declaration of the distribution of dividends.

No public reserve capitalization is provided for in the profit distribution plan for the current financial 
year.

The  profit  distribution  policy  of  the  year  complied  with  the  Articles  of  Association  and  the 
examination  and  approval  procedures  of  the  Company,  clearly  defined  the  dividend  distribution 
standards  and  percentage  and  the  decision-making  procedures  and  system.  Small-  and  medium-sized 
shareholders of the Company have sufficient opportunities to express their opinions and appeals, and 
their legitimate rights have been well protected. The Independent Directors diligently considered the 
profit distribution policy and expressed their independent opinion in this regard.

2. 

The dividend distribution of the Company for the recent 3 years is as follows:

Unit: RMB million

Year in which  
dividends were  
distributed 

Number of  
bonus stocks per  
ten shares (shares) 

2014 
2013 
2012 

– 
– 
– 

Amount of  
dividends per  
ten shares (RMB)  
(including tax) 

Transfer of  
public reserve  
into share  
capital per  
ten shares (shares) 

Amount of  
cash dividends  
(including tax) 

Net profit  
attributable to  
equity holders of  
the Company in  
the consolidated  
statements for  
the year in which  

Percentage of 
amount of cash 
dividends 
in net profit 
attributable to 
equity holders 
of the Company 
dividends were   in the consolidated 
statements

 distributed 

– 
– 
– 

11,306 
8,479 
3,957 

32,211 
24,765 
11,061 

35%
34%
36%

4.0 
3.0 
1.4 

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

4.  CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The changes in accounting estimates and assumptions of the Company during the Reporting Period are set out in 
Note 3 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report.

5.  RESERVES

Details  of  the  reserves  of  the  Company  are  set  out  in  Note  35  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements in this annual report.

6.  CHARITABLE DONATIONS

The total amount of charitable donations made by the Company during the Reporting Period was approximately 
RMB97 million.

7.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Details of the movement in property, plant and equipment of the Company are set out in Note 6 in the Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report.

8. 

9. 

SHARE CAPITAL
Details of the movement in share capital of the Company are set out in Note 34 in the Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements in this annual report.

INFORMATION OF TAX DEDUCTION FOR HOLDERS OF LISTED SECURITIES
Shareholders are taxed and/or enjoy tax relief for the dividend income received from the Company in accordance 
with the “Individual Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China”, the “Enterprise Income Tax Law of the 
People’s Republic of China”, and relevant administrative rules, governmental regulations and guiding documents. 
Please refer to the announcement published by the Company on the website of the SSE on 18 June 2014 for the 
information  on  income  tax  in  respect  of  the  dividend  distributed  to  A  Share  shareholders  during  the  Reporting 
Period,  and  the  announcements  published  by  the  Company  on  the  HKExnews  website  of  the  Hong  Kong 
Exchanges  and  Clearing  Limited  on  29  May  2014  for  the  information  on  income  tax  in  respect  of  the  dividend 
distributed to H Share shareholders during the Reporting Period.

10.  PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  did  not  purchase,  sell  or  redeem  any  of  the 
Company’s listed securities.

11.  H SHARE STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

No  H  Share  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  of  the  Company  were  granted  or  exercised  in  2014.  The  Company  will 
deal with such rights and related matters in accordance with PRC governmental policy.

32

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

12.  DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD

Details of the Board meetings and the Board’s performance of its duties during the Reporting Period are set out in 
the section headed “Corporate Governance” in this annual report.

13.  DIRECTORS’ AND SUPERVISORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS

None of the Directors or Supervisors has entered into any service contract with the Company and its subsidiaries 
that are not terminable within one year or can only be terminated by the Company with payment of compensation 
(other than statutory compensation).

14.  DIRECTORS’ AND SUPERVISORS’ INTERESTS IN MATERIAL CONTRACTS

None  of  the  Directors  or  Supervisors  is  or  was  materially  interested,  directly  or  indirectly,  in  any  contracts  of 
significance entered into by the Company or its controlling shareholders or any of their respective subsidiaries at 
any time during the Reporting Period.

15.  DIRECTORS’ AND SUPERVISORS’ RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE SHARES

At no time during the Reporting Period had the Company authorized its Directors, Supervisors or their respective 
spouses  or  children  under  the  age  of  18  to  benefit  by  means  of  the  acquisition  of  shares  or  debentures  of  the 
Company or any of its associated corporations, and no such rights for the acquisition of shares or debentures were 
exercised by them.

16.  DISCLOSURE  OF  INTERESTS  OF  DIRECTORS,  SUPERVISORS  AND  THE  CHIEF 

EXECUTIVE IN THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY
As at the end of the Reporting Period, none of the Directors, Supervisors and the chief executive of the Company 
had any interests or short positions in the shares, underlying shares or debentures of the Company or its associated 
corporations  (within  the  meaning  of  Part  XV  of  the  Securities  and  Futures  Ordinance  (Chapter  571  of  the  Laws 
of  Hong  Kong)  (the  “SFO”))  that  were  required  to  be  recorded  in  the  register  of  the  Company  required  to  be 
kept  pursuant  to  Section  352  of  the  SFO  or  which  had  to  be  notified  to  the  Company  and  the  HKSE  pursuant 
to  the  Model  Code  for  Securities  Transactions  by  Directors  of  Listed  Issuers  (the  “Model  Code”)  as  set  out  in 
Appendix 10 to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the 
“Listing Rules”). In addition, the Board has created a code of conduct in relation to the sale and purchase of the 
Company’s securities by Directors and Supervisors, which is no less stringent than the Model Code. Upon specific 
inquiry  by  the  Company,  the  Directors  and  Supervisors  have  confirmed  observation  of  the  Model  Code  and  the 
Company’s own code of conduct in the year of 2014.

17.  PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS AND ARRANGEMENTS ON SHARE OPTIONS

According to the Articles of Association and relevant PRC laws, there is no provision for any pre-emptive rights of 
the shareholders of the Company. At present, the Company does not have any arrangement for share options.

18.  MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

No  management  or  administration  contracts  for  the  whole  or  substantial  part  of  any  business  of  the  Company 
were entered into during the Reporting Period.

33

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

19.  MATERIAL GUARANTEES

Independent  Directors  of  the  Company  have  rendered  their  independent  opinions  on  the  Company’s  external 
guarantees, and are of the view that:

(1) 

during the Reporting Period, the Company did not provide any external guarantee;

(2) 

the Company’s internal control system regarding external guarantees is in compliance with laws, regulations, 
and  the  requirements  under  the  “Notice  in  relation  to  the  Standardization  of  Capital  Flows  between 
Listed  Companies  and  Connected  Parties  and  Issues  in  relation  to  External  Guarantees  Granted  by  Listed 
Companies”; and

(3) 

the  Company  has  expressly  provided  in  its  Articles  of  Association  the  level  of  authority  required  for 
approving external guarantees and the approval procedures.

20.  RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS ON FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Directors are responsible for overseeing the preparation of the financial report for each financial period which 
gives a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position, performance results and cash flow for that period. 
To the best knowledge of the Directors, there was no material event or condition during the Reporting Period that 
might have a material adverse effect on the continuing operation of the Company.

21.  BOARD’S STATEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL

In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  “Standard  Regulations  on  Corporate  Internal  Control”,  the  Board 
conducted  an  assessment  on  internal  control  relating  to  the  Company’s  financial  reporting  functions,  and 
confirmed that its internal control was effective as at 31 December 2014.

22.  MAJOR CUSTOMERS

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  gross  written  premiums  received  from  the  Company’s  five  largest  customers 
accounted for less than 30% of the Company’s gross written premiums for the year.

23  SUFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC FLOAT

Based on the information publicly available to the Company and within the knowledge of the Directors as at the 
Latest Practicable Date (24 March 2015), not less than 25% of the issued share capital of the Company (being the 
minimum public float applicable to the shares of the Company) was held in public hands.

24.  COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

The  Company  has  applied  the  principles  of  the  Corporate  Governance  Code  (the  “CG  Code”)  as  set  out  in 
Appendix 14 to the Listing Rules, and has complied with all code provisions of the CG Code during the Reporting 
Period.

34

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Board of Directors

25.  AUDITORS

PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian Certifi ed Public Accountants Limited Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers, 
the  PRC  auditor  and  the  international  auditor  of  the  Company  for  the  year  2012,  retired  as  the  auditors  of  the 
Company  upon  expiration  of  their  term  of  office  at  the  close  of  the  2012  Annual  General  Meeting.  Resolutions 
were  passed  at  the  2013  Annual  General  Meeting  to  engage  Ernst  &  Young  Hua  Ming  LLP  and  Ernst  &  Young 
as the PRC and international auditors of the Company for the year 2014, respectively. Ernst & Young Hua Ming 
LLP and Ernst & Young have been serving as the Company’s auditors for two consecutive years.

Remuneration  paid  by  the  Company  to  the  auditors  is  subject  to  approval  by  the  shareholders’  general  meeting, 
pursuant  to  which  the  Board  is  authorized  to  determine  the  amount  and  make  payment.  Audit  fees  paid  by  the 
Company to the auditors will not affect the independence of the auditors.

Remuneration paid by China Life Insurance Company Limited to the auditors in 2014 was as follows:

Service/Nature 

Financial report audit fee 
Internal control audit fee 

Fees (RMB million)

42.80
10.70

A  resolution  for  the  re-appointment  of  Ernst  &  Young  Hua  Ming  LLP  and  Ernst  &  Young  as  the  PRC  and 
international  auditors  of  the  Company  for  the  year  2015  will  be  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the 
forthcoming 2014 Annual General Meeting to be held on 28 May 2015.

By Order of the Board
Yang Mingsheng
Chairman

Beijing, China
24 March 2015

35

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Committee

From left to right:
Ms. Xiong Junhong, Ms. Yang Cuilian, 
Ms. Xia Zhihua, Mr. Shi Xiangming,
Mr. Li Xuejun

1.  ACTIVITIES OF THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

1. 

2. 

3. 

Currently, the fourth session of the Supervisory Committee comprises Ms. Xia Zhihua, Mr. Shi Xiangming, 
Ms. Yang Cuilian, Mr. Li Xuejun and Ms. Xiong Junhong, with Ms. Xia Zhihua acting as the Chairperson 
of  the  Supervisory  Committee.  Of  the  members  of  the  Supervisory  Committee,  Ms.  Xia  Zhihua,  Mr.  Shi 
Xiangming  and  Ms.  Xiong  Junhong  are  Non  Employee  Representative  Supervisors,  and  Ms.  Yang  Cuilian 
and Mr. Li Xuejun are Employee Representative Supervisors.

Attending  meetings  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  and  diligently  discharging  their  duties.  Pursuant  to  the 
regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions where the Company is listed, the Articles of Association and the 
Procedural Rules for Supervisory Committee Meetings, and in accordance with the work arrangement of the 
Supervisory  Committee,  the  Supervisory  Committee  convened  its  regular  meetings  in  a  timely  manner,  at 
which it considered and approved proposals in relation to the Company’s financial reports, periodic reports, 
internal  control,  and  risk  management.  In  2014,  the  fourth  session  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  held  6 
meetings,  at  which  the  Supervisors  earnestly  expressed  their  views,  actively  participated  in  discussions  and 
diligently  discharged  their  duties,  thereby  providing  valuable  advice  for  the  business  development  of  the 
Company.

Attending and participating in corporate governance meetings and actively exercising their supervisory role. 
In  2014,  the  Supervisory  Committee  attended  the  2013  Annual  General  Meeting,  the  First  Extraordinary 
General  Meeting  2014  and  the  Second  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  2014  of  the  Company,  and 
participated  in  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Board.  All  members  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  participated 
in  the  meetings  of  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee,  the  Risk  Management  Committee,  and 
the  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee,  respectively,  in  accordance  with  the  work  allocation 
among  Supervisors  determined  by  the  Supervisory  Committee,  with  a  focus  on  the  meetings  of  the  Audit 
Committee.  By  attending  these  meetings,  all  Supervisors  diligently  discharged  their  duties,  oversaw  the 
procedures  for  convening  meetings,  carefully  listened  to  the  matters  considered  at  the  meetings,  and 
participated  in  discussions  when  necessary,  thus  bringing  positive  effects  on  further  enhancement  of 
corporate governance.

36

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Committee

4. 

5. 

Conducting  on-site  visits  and  research  activities  to  further  broaden  the  basis  for  discharge  of  duties  by 
the  Supervisory  Committee.  In  accordance  with  the  2014  investigation  and  research  work  plan  of  the 
Supervisory  Committee,  all  members  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  carried  out  investigation  and  research 
on  Guizhou  Branch  of  the  Company  with  the  aim  of  supervising  and  deeply  understanding  the  business 
development  and  operation  of  the  branch  and  its  implementation  of  the  budget  and  indicators  formulated 
by  the  headquarter,  the  branch’s  role  and  competitiveness  in  the  local  insurance  market,  internal  control 
and  compliance,  internal  supervision  and  risk  control,  sales  channels  and  team  building.  Ms.  Xia  Zhihua, 
the Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee, and certain other Supervisors of the Supervisory Committee 
conducted  investigation  and  research  on  the  supervisory  committee  of  China  Minsheng  Bank  to  fully 
understand  the  issues  such  as  the  responsibilities  of  the  supervisory  committee  of  a  bank,  establishment 
of  the  rules  and  policies  of  the  supervisory  committee,  and  evaluation  on  the  supervisory  committee’s 
discharge  of  its  duties  and  responsibilities,  and  to  explore  the  theories  and  practices  of  the  performance 
of  the  supervisory  committee.  All  Supervisors  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  also  went  to  Hubei, 
Chongqing, Gansu and Qingdao, etc. to conduct on-site visits and research on the issues including business 
development, internal control and compliance, risk management, market competition and team building of 
local  branches,  which  has  further  enriched  the  experience  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  in  discharging  its 
duties and responsibilities and enabled the Supervisory Committee to better exercise its role of supervision.

Strengthening  training  and  enhancing  duty  performance  of  the  Supervisors.  The  Supervisors  actively 
participated  in  the  training  courses  on  the  latest  regulatory  regime  and  industrial  development  organized 
by  the  Company  and  presented  by  lawyers  and  experts,  and  also  attended  the  training  courses  organized 
by  the  regulatory  authorities.  The  Company  organized  the  training  courses  on  the  latest  regulatory  regime 
and  industrial  development  presented  by  lawyers,  auditors  and  external  experts  for  all  Supervisors  of  the 
Supervisory  Committee.  Pursuant  to  the  regulatory  requirements,  the  Company  also  organized  training 
courses on anti-money laundering for all Supervisors of the Supervisory Committee with the aim of enabling 
Supervisors  to  understand  the  latest  laws  and  regulations  governing  anti-money  laundering.  Certain 
Supervisors attended the “Advanced Study Course on the Regulation of Overseas-Listed Chinese Companies 
and  Enterprises”  organized  by  the  Hong  Kong  Institute  of  Chartered  Secretaries  in  Hong  Kong.  Through 
participating  these  internal  and  external  training  activities  organized  by  the  Company,  the  Supervisors 
further solidified the foundation of corporate governance theory and professional experience.

37

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Committee

2. 

INDEPENDENT  OPINION  OF  THE  SUPERVISORY  COMMITTEE  ON  CERTAIN 
MATTERS
During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Supervisory  Committee  of  the  Company  performed  its  supervisory  duties  in  a 
diligent  manner  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  Company  Law,  the  Articles  of  Association  and  the 
Procedural Rules for Supervisory Committee Meetings.

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The  Company’s  operational  compliance  with  the  law.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s 
operations  were  in  compliance  with  the  law.  The  Company’s  operations  and  decision-making  procedures 
were  in  compliance  with  the  Company  Law  and  the  Articles  of  Association.  All  Directors  and  senior 
management  of  the  Company  maintained  strict  principles  of  diligence  and  integrity  and  performed  their 
duties  conscientiously.  The  Supervisory  Committee  is  not  aware  of  any  of  them  having  violated  any  law, 
regulation,  or  any  provision  in  the  Articles  of  Association  or  harmed  the  interests  of  the  Company  in  the 
course of discharging their duties.

The  authenticity  of  the  financial  report.  The  Company’s  annual  financial  report  truly  and  completely 
reflected  the  Company’s  financial  position  and  operating  results.  Ernst  &  Young  Hua  Ming  LLP  and 
Ernst  &  Young  have  performed  audits  and  have  issued  unqualified  auditors’  reports  for  the  year  ended 
2014  in  accordance  with  the  China  Standards  on  Auditing  of  PRC  Certified  Public  Accountants  and  the 
International Standards on Auditing, respectively.

Acquisition and sale of assets. During the Reporting Period, the prices for acquisition and sale of assets were 
fair  and  reasonable.  The  Supervisory  Committee  is  not  aware  of  any  insider  trading,  any  acts  harming  the 
interests of shareholders or incurring any loss to the Company’s assets.

Connected  transactions.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  connected  transactions  of  the  Company  were 
on  commercial  terms.  The  Supervisory  Committee  is  not  aware  of  any  acts  harming  the  interests  of  the 
Company.

Internal  control  system  and  self-evaluation  report  on  internal  control.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  the 
Company sought to improve its internal control system, and continued to improve the effectiveness of such 
system. The Supervisory Committee of the Company reviewed the self-evaluation report on the Company’s 
internal  control  systems  and  did  not  raise  any  objection  against  the  self-evaluation  report  of  the  Board 
regarding the Company’s internal control systems.

By Order of the Supervisory Committee
Xia Zhihua
Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee

Beijing, China
24 March 2015

38

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Signifi cant Events

I.   MATERIAL  LITIGATIONS,  ARBITRATIONS  AND  MATTERS  GENERALLY  ENQUIRED 

BY MEDIA
During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  was  not  involved  in  any  material  litigation,  arbitration  or  matter 
generally enquired by media.

II.   MAJOR CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

(I)   Continuing Connected Transactions

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  following  continuing  connected  transactions  were  carried  out  by  the 
Company  pursuant  to  Rule  14A.76(2)  of  the  Listing  Rules,  including  the  policy  management  agreement 
between  the  Company  and  CLIC,  the  asset  management  agreement  between  the  Company  and  AMC,  and 
the insurance sales framework agreement between the Company and CLP&C. These continuing connected 
transactions were subject to reporting, announcement and annual review requirements but were exempt from 
independent shareholders’ approval requirements under the Listing Rules. CLIC, the controlling shareholder 
of  the  Company,  holds  40%  of  the  equity  interest  of  AMC  and  60%  of  the  equity  interest  of  CLP&C. 
Therefore, each of CLIC, AMC and CLP&C constitutes a connected person of the Company.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  following  continuing  connected  transactions  were  carried  out  by  the 
Company  under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules,  including  the  framework  agreements  entered  into  by 
China  Life  AMP  Asset  Management  Co.,  Ltd.  (“AMP”)  with  the  Company,  Pension  Company,  CLIC  and 
CLP&C,  respectively.  These  continuing  connected  transactions  were  subject  to  reporting,  announcement, 
annual review and independent shareholders’ approval requirements under the Listing Rules. AMP is a non-
wholly owned subsidiary of AMC and is therefore a connected person of the Company.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  also  entered  into  certain  continuing  connected  transactions, 
including  the  asset  management  agreement  between  CLIC  and  AMC  and  the  2013  asset  management 
agreement for alternative investments between the Company and China Life Investment Holding Company 
Limited  (“CLI”),  which  were  exempt  from  reporting,  announcement,  annual  review  and  independent 
shareholders’  approval  requirements  under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules.  CLI  is  a  wholly-owned 
subsidiary of CLIC and is therefore a connected person of the Company.

In addition, the Company and CLI have entered into the 2015 asset management agreement for alternative 
investments, which was subject to reporting, announcement and annual review requirements but was exempt 
from  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirements  under  the  Listing  Rules.  However,  such  agreement 
was subject to approval by the shareholders’ general meeting of the Company under the SSE Listing Rules.

The  Company  has  complied  with  the  disclosure  requirements  under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules  in 
respect  of  the  above  continuing  connected  transactions  (except  those  fully  exempted  continuing  connected 
transactions  as  mentioned  above).  When  conducting  the  above  continuing  connected  transactions  during 
the  year,  the  Company  has  followed  the  pricing  policies  and  guidelines  formulated  at  the  time  when  such 
transactions were entered into.

39

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Signifi cant Events

1.   Policy Management Agreement

The Company and CLIC have from time to time entered into policy management agreements since 30 
September 2003. The Company and CLIC entered into the 2011 confirmation letter on 15 December 
2011,  pursuant  to  which  both  parties  confirmed  the  renewal  of  the  policy  management  agreement 
for  three  years  from  1  January  2012  to  31  December  2014.  Pursuant  to  the  policy  management 
agreement,  the  Company  agreed  to  provide  policy  administration  services  to  CLIC  relating  to  the 
non-transferred  policies.  The  Company  acts  as  a  service  provider  under  the  agreement  and  does  not 
acquire  any  rights  or  assume  any  obligations  as  an  insurer  under  the  non-transferred  policies.  For 
details  as  to  the  method  of  calculation  of  the  service  fee,  please  refer  to  Note  33  in  the  Notes  to  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  annual  cap  for  each  of  the  three  years  ended  31  December 
2014  is  RMB1,188  million.  The  Company  and  CLIC  entered  into  the  2015  policy  management 
agreement on 29 December 2014, with a term from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. Pursuant 
to the 2015 policy management agreement, the Company will continue to accept CLIC’s entrustment 
to  provide  policy  administration  services  relating  to  the  non-transferred  policies.  The  annual  cap  for 
each of the three years ending 31 December 2017 is RMB1,037 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  service  fee  paid  by  CLIC  to  the  Company  amounted  to 
RMB987 million.

2.   Asset Management Agreements

(1)  Asset Management Agreement between the Company and AMC

Since 30 November 2003, the Company has from time to time entered into asset management 
agreements  with  AMC.  The  renewed  asset  management  agreement  between  the  parties 
expired  on  31  December  2012.  On  27  December  2012,  the  Company  entered  into  the  2012 
asset  management  agreement  with  AMC,  which  was  for  a  term  of  two  years  effective  from 
1 January 2013 and has been extended to 31 December 2015 pursuant to the automatic renewal 
clause.  Pursuant  to  the  2012  asset  management  agreement,  AMC  agreed  to  invest  and  manage 
assets  entrusted  to  it  by  the  Company,  on  a  discretionary  basis,  within  the  scope  granted  by 
the  Company  and  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  applicable  laws  and  regulations 
and  the  investment  guidelines  given  by  the  Company.  In  consideration  of  AMC’s  services  in 
respect  of  investing  and  managing  various  categories  of  assets  entrusted  to  it  by  the  Company 
under  the  agreement,  the  Company  agreed  to  pay  AMC  a  service  fee.  For  details  as  to  the 
method  of  calculation  of  the  asset  management  fee,  please  refer  to  Note  33  in  the  Notes  to 
the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  annual  cap  for  each  of  the  three  years  ending  31 
December 2015 is RMB1,200 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  Company  paid  AMC  an  asset  management  fee  of 
RMB886 million.

40

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Signifi cant Events

(2)   Asset Management Agreement between CLIC and AMC

Since  30  November  2003,  CLIC  has  from  time  to  time  entered  into  asset  management 
agreements  with  AMC.  The  renewed  asset  management  agreement  between  the  parties  expired 
on 31 December 2011. CLIC and AMC entered into the 2011 asset management agreement on 
29 December 2011, which was for a term from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. Pursuant 
to  the  2011  asset  management  agreement,  AMC  agreed  to  invest  and  manage  assets  entrusted 
to  it  by  CLIC,  on  a  discretionary  basis,  subject  to  the  investment  guidelines  and  instructions 
given by CLIC. In consideration of AMC’s services in respect of investing and managing assets 
entrusted  to  it  by  CLIC  under  the  agreement,  CLIC  agreed  to  pay  AMC  a  service  fee.  For 
details  as  to  the  method  of  calculation  of  the  asset  management  fee,  please  refer  to  Note  33  in 
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The annual caps for the three years ended 
31 December 2014 are RMB300 million, RMB310 million and RMB320 million, respectively. 
On  31  December  2014,  CLIC  and  AMC  entered  into  the  2015  asset  management  agreement. 
The  entrustment  term  is  from  1  January  2015  to  31  December  2015.  Pursuant  to  the  2015 
asset management agreement, AMC will continue to invest and manage assets entrusted to it by 
CLIC. The annual cap for the year ending 31 December 2015 is RMB320 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2014, CLIC paid AMC an asset management fee of RMB128 
million.

(3)  Asset Management Agreement for Alternative Investments between the Company and CLI

On 22 March 2013, the Company and CLI entered into the 2013 asset management agreement 
for alternative investments. The term of the agreement has been extended to 31 December 2014 
pursuant  to  the  automatic  renewal  clause.  Pursuant  to  the  2013  asset  management  agreement 
for  alternative  investments,  CLI  agreed  to  invest  and  manage  assets  entrusted  to  it  by  the 
Company, on a discretionary basis, within the scope granted by the Company and in accordance 
with  the  requirements  of  applicable  laws  and  regulations  and  the  investment  guidelines  given 
by  the  Company.  The  assets  under  management  include  equity  interests,  real  properties 
and  related  financial  products.  In  consideration  of  CLI’s  services  in  respect  of  investing  and 
managing various categories of assets entrusted to it by the Company under the agreement, the 
Company agreed to pay CLI a service fee. For details as to the method of calculation of the asset 
management fee, please refer to Note 33 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
The annual caps for the two years ended 31 December 2014 are RMB150 million and RMB250 
million, respectively.

As  approved  at  the  seventeenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  and  the  Second 
Extraordinary  General  Meeting  2014,  the  Company  and  CLI  entered  into  the  2015  asset 
management  agreement  for  alternative  investments  on  31  December  2014,  with  a  term  of 
one  year  from  1  January  2015  to  31  December  2015.  Pursuant  to  the  2015  asset  management 
agreement  for  alternative  investments,  CLI  will  invest  and  manage  assets  entrusted  to  it  by  the 
Company, on a discretionary basis, within the scope of utilization of insurance funds as specified 

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by  the  CIRC  and  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  applicable  laws  and  regulations  and 
the  investment  guidelines  of  the  Company.  The  entrusted  assets  include  equity  interests,  real 
properties,  related  financial  products  and  securitization  financial  products.  The  Company 
will  pay  CLI  the  investment  management  service  fee  and  performance  incentive  fee  in  respect 
of  the  investment  and  management  services  provided  by  CLI  to  the  Company.  For  the  year 
ending  31  December  2015,  the  investment  management  service  fee  and  the  performance 
incentive fee payable by the Company to CLI will not exceed RMB500 million. The contractual 
amount  of  the  assets  entrusted  by  the  Company  to  CLI  for  investment  and  management  will 
not  exceed  RMB150  billion  or  its  equivalent  in  foreign  currency  (including  the  contractual 
amount  already  entrusted  prior  to  the  execution  of  the  agreement  and  the  contractual  amount 
to  be  entrusted  during  the  term  of  the  agreement)  as  at  the  expiry  date  of  the  agreement.  The 
aforesaid contractual amount shall include the contractual amount of the assets entrusted by the 
Company in its co-investment with CLIC and CLP&C, which shall not exceed RMB40 billion 
or  its  equivalent  in  foreign  currency.  The  co-investments  of  the  Company,  CLIC  and  CLP&C 
shall  be  limited  to  cash  contribution  at  the  same  price  in  the  same  related  financial  products 
and  securitization  financial  products,  and  the  benefits  enjoyed  by  each  of  them  shall  be  in 
proportion to their respective investment amount.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  Company  paid  CLI  an  asset  management  fee  of 
RMB89 million.

3.  

Insurance Sales Framework Agreement
On 18 November 2008, the Company and CLP&C entered into the 2008 insurance sales framework 
agreement,  which  expired  on  17  November  2011.  On  8  March  2012,  the  Company  and  CLP&C 
entered  into  the  2012  insurance  sales  framework  agreement  for  a  term  of  two  years,  which  has  been 
extended  to  7  March  2015  pursuant  to  the  automatic  renewal  clause  of  the  agreement.  Pursuant 
to  the  agreement,  CLP&C  entrusted  the  Company  to  act  as  an  agent  to  sell  selected  insurance 
products  within  the  authorized  regions,  and  agreed  to  pay  an  agency  service  fee  to  the  Company  in 
consideration of the services provided. For details as to the method of calculation of the agency service 
fee,  please  refer  to  Note  33  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  annual  caps 
for the three years ended 31 December 2014 are RMB660 million, RMB1,250 million and RMB1,950 
million, respectively. On 8 March 2015, the Company and CLP&C entered into the 2015 insurance 
sales framework agreement, with a term of two years effective from 8 March 2015. The agreement will 
automatically be extended for another year after its expiry unless terminated by either party by giving 
the other party a written notice within 30 days prior to its expiry. Pursuant to the 2015 insurance sales 
framework  agreement,  CLP&C  continues  to  entrust  the  Company  to  act  as  an  agent  to  sell  selected 
insurance  products  within  the  authorized  regions.  The  annual  caps  for  the  three  years  ending  31 
December 2017 are RMB1,386 million, RMB1,738 million and RMB2,222 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  CLP&C  paid  the  Company  an  agency  service  fee  of 
RMB1,013 million.

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4.  Framework Agreements with AMP

(1)   Framework Agreement between the Company and AMP

As approved at the thirteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the 2013 Annual 
General  Meeting,  the  Company  and  AMP  entered  into  the  “Framework  Agreement  in  relation 
to  Subscription  and  Redemption  of  Fund  Products,  Sale  of  Funds,  Asset  Management  for 
Specific  Clients  and  Other  Daily  Transactions”  on  30  May  2014.  The  agreement  became 
effective  upon  signing  by  the  parties  and  will  expire  on  31  December  2016.  Pursuant  to 
the  agreement,  the  Company  and  AMP  will  enter  into  certain  daily  transactions,  including 
subscription  and  redemption  of  fund  products,  sales  agency  services,  asset  management  for 
specific  clients  and  other  daily  transactions  permitted  by  laws  and  regulations.  Pricing  of  the 
transactions  under  the  agreement  shall  be  determined  by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length 
negotiations  with  reference  to  the  industry  practices.  For  the  three  years  ending  31  December 
2016,  the  annual  caps  of  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription  fee  for  the 
subscription  of  fund  products  are  RMB30,000  million,  RMB66,000  million  and  RMB72,600 
million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption 
fee  for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  are  RMB30,000  million,  RMB66,000  million  and 
RMB72,600  million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  sales  commission  fee  and  client 
maintenance fee payable by AMP are RMB100 million, RMB300 million and RMB400 million, 
respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  management  fee  payable  by  the  Company  for  the  asset 
management  for  specific  clients  are  RMB10  million,  RMB20  million  and  RMB20  million, 
respectively;  and  the  annual  caps  of  the  fees  for  other  daily  transactions  are  RMB50  million, 
RMB100 million and RMB100 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription 
fee for the subscription of fund products was RMB11,460.00 million, the redemption price and 
corresponding redemption fee for the redemption of fund products was RMB4,414.71 million, 
the  sales  commission  fee  and  client  maintenance  fee  paid  by  AMP  was  RMB0  million,  the 
management fee paid by the Company for the asset management for specific clients was RMB0 
million, and the fees for other daily transactions was RMB0.47 million.

(2)   Framework Agreement between Pension Company and AMP

As approved at the thirteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the 2013 Annual 
General  Meeting,  Pension  Company  and  AMP  entered  into  the  “Framework  Agreement  in 
relation  to  Subscription  and  Redemption  of  Fund  Products,  Sale  of  Funds  and  Other  Daily 
Transactions”  on  4  September  2014.  The  agreement  became  effective  upon  signing  by  the 
parties  and  will  expire  on  31  December  2016.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  Pension  Company 
and  AMP  will  enter  into  certain  daily  transactions,  including  subscription  and  redemption 
of  fund  products,  sales  agency  services  and  other  daily  transactions  permitted  by  laws  and 
regulations.  Pricing  of  the  transactions  under  the  agreement  shall  be  determined  by  the  parties 
through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with  reference  to  the  industry  practices.  For  the  three 
years  ending  31  December  2016,  the  annual  caps  of  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding 
subscription  fee  for  the  subscription  of  fund  products  are  RMB5,000  million,  RMB10,000 
million  and  RMB10,000  million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  redemption  price  and 
corresponding  redemption  fee  for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  are  RMB5,000  million, 
RMB10,000  million  and  RMB10,000  million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  sales 
commission  fee  and  client  maintenance  fee  payable  by  AMP  are  RMB50  million,  RMB100 

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million  and  RMB100  million,  respectively;  and  the  annual  caps  of  the  fees  for  other  daily 
transactions are RMB50 million, RMB100 million and RMB100 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription 
fee  for  the  subscription  of  fund  products  was  RMB0  million,  the  redemption  price  and 
corresponding redemption fee for the redemption of fund products was RMB0 million, the sales 
commission  fee  and  client  maintenance  fee  paid  by  AMP  was  RMB0  million,  and  the  fees  for 
other daily transactions was RMB0 million.

(3)   Framework Agreement between CLIC and AMP

As approved at the thirteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the 2013 Annual 
General  Meeting,  CLIC  and  AMP  entered  into  the  “Framework  Agreement  in  relation  to 
Subscription  and  Redemption  of  Fund  Products”  on  30  May  2014.  The  agreement  became 
effective  upon  signing  by  the  parties  and  will  expire  on  31  December  2016.  Pursuant  to 
the  agreement,  CLIC  and  AMP  will  enter  into  transactions  in  relation  to  the  subscription 
and  redemption  of  fund  products.  Pricing  of  the  transactions  under  the  agreement  shall  be 
determined  by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with  reference  to  the  industry 
practices.  For  the  three  years  ending  31  December  2016,  the  annual  caps  of  the  subscription 
price  and  corresponding  subscription  fee  for  the  subscription  of  fund  products  are  RMB5,000 
million, RMB10,000 million and RMB10,000 million, respectively; and the annual caps of the 
redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption  fee  for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  are 
RMB5,000 million, RMB10,000 million and RMB10,000 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription 
fee for the subscription of fund products was RMB4,380.23 million, and the redemption price 
and  corresponding  redemption  fee  for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  was  RMB3,927.47 
million.

(4)   Framework Agreement between CLP &C and AMP

As approved at the thirteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the 2013 Annual 
General  Meeting,  CLP&C  and  AMP  entered  into  the  “Cooperation  Framework  Agreement” 
on 6 June 2014. The agreement became effective upon signing by the parties and will expire on 
31 December 2016. Pursuant to the agreement, CLP&C and AMP will enter into certain daily 
transactions, including subscription and redemption of fund products, sales agency services and 
other daily transactions permitted by laws and regulations. Pricing of the transactions under the 
agreement  shall  be  determined  by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with  reference 
to  the  industry  practices.  For  the  three  years  ending  31  December  2016,  the  annual  caps  of 
the  subscription  price  for  the  fund  products  are  RMB5,000  million,  RMB10,000  million  and 
RMB10,000 million, respectively; the annual caps of the redemption price for the fund products 
are  RMB5,000  million,  RMB10,000  million  and  RMB10,000  million,  respectively;  the  annual 
caps  of  the  subscription  fee  for  the  fund  products  are  RMB50  million,  RMB100  million  and 
RMB100 million, respectively; the annual caps of the redemption fee for the fund products are 
RMB50  million,  RMB100  million  and  RMB100  million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the 
sales commission fee and client maintenance fee payable by AMP are RMB50 million, RMB100 
million  and  RMB100  million,  respectively;  and  the  annual  caps  of  the  fees  for  other  daily 
transactions are RMB50 million, RMB100 million and RMB100 million, respectively.

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For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  subscription  price  for  the  fund  products  was 
RMB720.00  million,  the  redemption  price  for  the  fund  products  was  RMB726.45  million, 
the subscription fee for the fund products was RMB0 million, the redemption fee for the fund 
products was RMB0 million, the sales commission fee and client maintenance fee paid by AMP 
was RMB0 million, and the fees for other daily transactions was RMB0.02 million.

Confirmation by auditor
The  Board  has  received  a  comfort  letter  from  the  auditor  of  the  Company  with  respect  to  the  above 
continuing  connected  transactions  which  were  subject  to  reporting,  announcement  and/or  independent 
shareholders’ approval requirements, and the letter stated that during the Reporting Period:

(1) 

nothing has come to the auditors’ attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing 
connected transactions have not been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors;

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

for transactions involving the provision of goods or services by the Company, nothing has come to the 
auditors’ attention that causes them to believe that the transactions were not, in all material respects, 
in accordance with the pricing policies of the Company;

nothing  has  come  to  the  auditors’  attention  that  causes  them  to  believe  that  the  transactions  were 
not  entered  into,  in  all  material  respects,  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  agreements  governing  such 
transactions; and

nothing has come to the auditors’ attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing 
connected  transactions  have  exceeded  the  maximum  aggregate  annual  value  disclosed  in  the  previous 
announcements.

Confirmation by Independent Directors
The  Company’s  Independent  Directors  have  reviewed  the  above  continuing  connected  transactions  which 
were  subject  to  reporting,  announcement  and/or  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirements,  and 
confirmed that:

(1) 

the transactions were entered into in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Company;

(2) 

the  transactions  were  conducted  either  on  normal  commercial  terms  or  on  terms  that  are  fair  and 
reasonable so far as the Company’s independent shareholders are concerned;

(3) 

the  transactions  were  entered  into  in  accordance  with  the  agreements  governing  those  continuing 
connected transactions; and

(4) 

the amounts of the above transactions have not exceeded the relevant annual caps.

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(II)  Other Major Connected Transactions

1.  Acquisition of Properties from CLI

On 27 June 2012, the Company and CLI entered into the “Property Transfer Framework Agreement”, 
which  was  for  a  term  of  three  years.  Pursuant  to  the  framework  agreement,  the  Company  proposed 
to  acquire  from  CLI  properties  for  use  by  the  Company’s  branches  as  office  premises,  which  consist 
of  1,198  properties  with  a  total  gross  floor  area  of  approximately  803,424.09  square  meters.  The 
properties  shall  be  transferred  in  batches  with  standalone  agreement  to  be  entered  into  for  each 
transfer.  The  actual  purchase  price  of  each  property  shall  be  valued  and  determined  by  the  qualified 
intermediaries  agreed  upon  by  the  parties  with  reference  to  prevailing  market  price.  The  total 
consideration  for  the  property  purchase  is  expected  to  be  no  more  than  RMB1.7  billion.  The  parties 
shall  cooperate  with  each  other  to  complete  the  transfer  of  ownership  and  deliver  the  properties  if 
standalone  property  transfer  agreements  in  respect  of  such  properties  have  been  signed  prior  to  the 
expiry of the framework agreement. The parties shall not transfer any properties under the framework 
agreement  if  standalone  property  transfer  agreements  in  respect  of  such  properties  have  not  been 
signed prior to the expiry of the framework agreement.

2.   Entrustment of Enterprise Annuity Funds and Account Management Agreement

On  27  July  2009,  the  Company,  CLIC  and  AMC  entered  into  the  “Entrustment  of  Enterprise 
Annuity  Funds  and  Account  Management  Agreement  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company” 
with  Pension  Company.  The  agreement  was  valid  for  three  years  from  the  date  on  which  the 
entrusted  funds  were  transferred  into  a  special  entrustment  account.  As  the  trustee  and  account 
manager, Pension Company provided trusteeship and account management services for the enterprise 
annuity  funds  of  the  Company,  CLIC  and  AMC,  and  charged  trustee  management  fees  and  account 
management  fees  in  accordance  with  the  agreement.  The  agreement  expired  on  1  December  2012. 
As  approved  at  the  fourth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board,  the  Company,  CLIC,  AMC 
and  Pension  Company  renewed  the  agreement  in  the  form  of  memorandum  for  one  year  up  to  1 
December 2013. The Company, CLIC, AMC and Pension Company entered into a new “Entrustment 
of  Enterprise  Annuity  Funds  and  Account  Management  Agreement  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group) 
Company  (including  Supplemental  Provisions  in  relation  to  Account  Management  and  Investment 
Management)”  on  22  March  2014  with  a  term  from  2  December  2013  to  31  December  2016.  At 
present,  the  Pension  Company  is  registering  the  contract  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the 
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC.

3.   Capital Injection to CLP &C

As approved at the eleventh meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the 2013 Annual General 
Meeting,  the  Company  entered  into  the  “Capital  Injection  Contract  of  China  Life  Property  and 
Casualty  Insurance  Company  Limited”  with  CLIC  and  CLP&C  on  9  June  2014,  whereby  the 
Company and CLIC agreed to inject further capital into CLP&C by subscription of 2.8 billion shares 
and 4.2 billion shares at RMB1.00 per share, respectively. The amounts of the capital injection by the 
Company  and  CLIC  were  RMB2.8  billion  and  RMB4.2  billion,  respectively,  representing  40%  and 
60% of the increased registered capital of CLP&C, respectively. On 7 July 2014, the CIRC approved 
CLP&C’s application for the change of its registered capital. Upon completion of the capital injection, 
the  aggregate  investment  of  the  Company  in  CLP&C  amounts  to  RMB6  billion,  and  CLP&C 
continues to be held as to 60% and 40% by CLIC and the Company, respectively.

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4.  

Investment in Trust Scheme
As  approved  at  the  seventeenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board,  the  Company,  CLIC 
and  CLP&C  (each  as  the  principal  and  beneficiary)  agreed  to  subscribe  for,  through  AMC  (as  the 
authorized  agent),  the  trust  units  under  the  trust  scheme  established  by  Shanghai  International 
Trust  Co.,  Ltd.  (“Shanghai  Trust”,  as  the  trustee),  and  the  Company,  CLIC  and  CLP&C  entered 
into  subscription  risk  statements  with  Shanghai  Trust,  respectively.  In  September  2014,  CLIC  and 
CLP&C  subscribed  for  3  billion  and  1  billion  trust  units  of  RMB1  each  issued  by  Shanghai  Trust 
under  Phase  I  of  the  trust  scheme  at  RMB3  billion  and  RMB1  billion,  respectively.  On  5  December 
2014,  the  Company  fulfilled  its  subscription  obligation  by  subscribing  for  5.96  billion  trust  units  of 
RMB1  each  issued  by  Shanghai  Trust  under  Phase  II  of  the  trust  scheme  at  RMB5.96  billion.  The 
trust funds under the trust scheme is RMB10 billion in total, which shall be used for the provision of 
loans to China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Huarong Asset”), and such loans shall only be 
applied to Huarong Asset’s non-performing assets business that is operated within the business scope 
of Huarong Asset and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Idle funds (including gains 
derived from the trust) shall only be deposited into banks. The trust scheme is expected to have a term 
of not more than 72 months. Shanghai Trust shall distribute trust benefits to the beneficiaries out of 
the trust assets after deduction of trust costs and other liabilities. The trust benefits to be distributed 
by  Shanghai  Trust  to  the  beneficiaries  are  mainly  derived  from  the  principal  of  the  loan  and  any 
interests accrued thereon to be repaid by Huarong Asset.

Of the above connected transactions, the transactions in relation to the acquisition of properties from CLI, 
the  capital  injection  to  CLP&C  and  the  investment  in  the  trust  scheme  by  each  of  the  Company,  CLIC 
and CLP&C were subject to reporting and announcement requirements but were exempt from independent 
shareholders’ approval requirements pursuant to Rule 14A.76(2) of the Listing Rules. The transaction of the 
capital injection to CLP&C was submitted to the 2013 Annual General Meeting for shareholders’ approval 
pursuant  to  the  aggregation  principles  of  the  SSE  Listing  Rules.  The  Company  has  complied  with  the 
disclosure requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules in respect of such connected transactions.

(III)  Statement  on  Claims,  Debt  Transactions  and  Guarantees  etc.  with  Connected  Parties 

outside the Course of its Business
During the Reporting Period, the Company was not involved in claims, debt transactions or guarantees with 
connected parties outside the course of its business.

3.   ASSET TRANSACTIONS, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS DURING THE REPORTING 

PERIOD
During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  did  not  undertake  any  material  asset  transaction,  merger  and 
acquisition.

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4.   MATERIAL CONTRACTS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF MATERIAL CONTRACTS

1.  During the Reporting Period, the Company neither acted as trustee, contractor or lessee of other companies’ 
assets,  nor  entrusted,  contracted  or  leased  its  assets  to  other  companies,  the  profit  or  loss  from  which 
accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s profits for the Reporting Period.

2. 

3. 

The  Company  neither  gave  external  guarantees  nor  provided  guarantees  to  its  subsidiaries  during  the 
Reporting Period.

Except  otherwise  disclosed  in  this  annual  report,  the  Company  had  no  other  material  contracts  during  the 
Reporting Period.

5.   UNDERTAKINGS  OF  THE  COMPANY  OR  SHAREHOLDERS  HOLDING  MORE  THAN 
5%  OF  THE  SHARE  CAPITAL  OF  THE  COMPANY  WHICH  ARE  EITHER  GIVEN  OR 
EFFECTIVE DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
Prior to the listing of the Company’s A Shares (30 November 2006), land use rights were injected by CLIC into 
the  Company  during  its  reorganization.  Out  of  these,  four  pieces  of  land  (with  a  total  area  of  10,421.12  square 
meters) had not had its formalities in relation to the change of ownership completed. Further, out of the properties 
injected into the Company, there were six properties (with a gross floor area of 8,639.76 square meters) in respect 
of  which  the  formalities  in  relation  to  the  change  of  ownership  had  not  been  completed.  CLIC  undertook  to 
complete the above-mentioned formalities within one year of the date of listing of the Company’s A Shares, and in 
the event such formalities could not be completed within such period, CLIC would bear any potential losses to the 
Company in relation thereto.

CLIC strictly followed these commitments. As at the end of the Reporting Period, save for the two properties and 
related  land  of  the  Company’s  Shenzhen  Branch,  the  ownership  registration  formalities  of  which  had  not  been 
completed due to historical reasons, all other formalities in relation to the change of land and property ownership 
had  been  completed.  The  Shenzhen  Branch  of  the  Company  continues  to  use  such  properties  and  land,  and  no 
other parties have questioned or hindered the use of such properties and land by the Company.

The Company’s Shenzhen Branch and the other co-owners of the properties have issued a letter to the governing 
department of the original owner of the properties in respect of the confirmation of ownership of the properties, 
requesting it to report the ownership issue to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission 
of the State Council (“SASAC”), and requesting the SASAC to confirm the respective shares of each co-owner in 
the properties and to issue written documents in this regard to the department of land and resources of Shenzhen, 
so  as  to  assist  the  Company  and  the  other  co-owners  to  complete  the  formalities  in  relation  to  the  division  of 
ownership of the properties.

Given  that  the  change  of  ownership  of  the  above  two  properties  and  related  land  use  rights  were  directed  by  the 
co-owners,  and  all  formalities  in  relation  to  the  change  of  ownership  were  proceeded  slowly  due  to  reasons  such 
as  issues  rooted  in  history  and  government  approvals,  CLIC,  the  controlling  shareholder  of  the  Company,  made 
further commitment as follows: CLIC will assist the Company in completing, and urge the co-owners to complete, 
the formalities in relation to the change of ownership in respect of the above two properties and related land use 
rights as soon as possible. If the formalities cannot be completed due to the reasons of the co-owners, CLIC will 
take  any  other  legally  practicable  measures  to  resolve  the  issue  and  will  bear  any  potential  losses  suffered  by  the 
Company as a result of the defective ownership.

48

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Signifi cant Events

6.   MISCELLANEOUS

As  approved  at  the  sixteenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board,  the  Company  entered  into  a  capital 
increase  agreement  with  Sinopec  Marketing  Company  Ltd.  (“Sinopec  Marketing”)  and  other  investors  on  12 
September 2014. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to contribute RMB10 billion for subscription of 
the increased capital in Sinopec Marketing. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company holds 2.8% of the 
enlarged registered capital of Sinopec Marketing. For details, please refer to the announcements of the Company 
posted on the website of the SSE and the HKExnews website of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited 
on 15 September 2014.

On  13  February  2015,  the  Company  made  the  payment  of  RMB10  billion  in  full  to  an  account  designated  by 
Sinopec Marketing in accordance with the capital injection agreement. As of now, due to fund raising issues, one 
of  the  investors  has  not  made  its  capital  contribution  in  full  to  Sinopec  Marketing.  Sinopec  Marketing  intends 
to  carry  out  the  subsequent  arrangement  in  accordance  with  the  capital  injection  agreement,  including  but  not 
limited  to  modifications  to  the  capital  injection  agreement  and  fulfilling  the  corresponding  change  of  business 
registration procedures, etc.

49

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Changes in Share Capital and Shareholders Information

1.   CHANGES IN SHARE CAPITAL

During  the  Reporting  Period,  there  was  no  change  in  the  total  number  of  shares  and  the  share  capital  of  the 
Company.

2.  

ISSUE AND LISTING OF SECURITIES
As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company had not issued any securities in the last three years. During 
the Reporting Period, there was no change in the total number of shares and the share structure of the Company 
due to bonus issues or placings, nor were there any internal employees’ shares.

3.  

INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS AND EFFECTIVE CONTROLLER

1.  Number of shareholders and their shareholdings

Total number of 
shareholders as 
at the end of the 
Reporting Period

No. of A Share holders: 
167,266
No. of H Share holders: 
33,551

Total number of shareholders 
as at the end of the fifth 
trading day before the 
disclosure of the annual report

No. of A Share holders: 
222,011
No. of H Share holders: 
33,095

Particulars of top ten shareholders of the Company 

Unit: Shares

Name of shareholder

Nature of shareholder

Total number of 
shares held as at 
the end of the 
Reporting Period

Percentage of 
shareholding

Increase/decrease 
during the 
Reporting Period

Number of 
shares subject to 
selling restrictions

Number of 
shares pledged 
or frozen

China Life Insurance (Group) 
  Company

HKSCC Nominees Limited 1

State-owned legal person

68.37%

19,323,530,000

–

Overseas legal person

25.81%

7,294,438,508

+8,149,255

Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited

Overseas legal person

China Securities Finance Corporation Limited

State-owned legal person

China National Nuclear Corporation2

State-owned legal person

China International Television Corporation2

State-owned legal person

CSOP Asset Management Limited – CSOP 
  FTSE China A50 ETF

National Social Security Fund – Portfolio 116

Agricultural Bank of China – Jingshun 
  Great Wall Domestic Demand Increase II 
  Stocks Securities Investment Fund

Other

Other

Other

0.21%

0.11%

0.07%

0.07%

0.05%

0.05%

0.04%

58,984,669

31,546,972

20,000,000

18,452,300

14,369,446

13,108,818

11,112,836

+58,984,669

+14,967,002

–

–

+195,759

+13,108,818

+11,112,836

Platinum Investment Management

Overseas legal person

0.04%

10,984,726

–

 Company Limited

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

50

 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Changes in Share Capital and Shareholders Information

Details of shareholders

1. 

HKSCC Nominees Limited is a company that holds shares on behalf of the clients of the Hong Kong stock brokers and other participants of the 

CCASS system. The relevant regulations of the HKSE do not require such persons to declare whether their shareholdings are pledged or frozen. 

Hence, HKSCC Nominees Limited is unable to calculate or provide the number of shares that are pledged or frozen.

2.  

China National Nuclear Corporation and China International Television Corporation became the top 10 shareholders of the Company through 

the strategic placement during the initial public offering of A shares of the Company in December 2006. The trading restriction period of the 

shares from the strategic placement was from 9 January 2007 to 9 January 2008.

3.  

The Company was not aware of any connected relationship and concerted parties as defined by the “Measures for the Administration of the 

Takeover of Listed Companies” among the top ten shareholders of the Company.

2. 

Information relating to the Controlling Shareholder and Effective Controller
The controlling shareholder of the Company is CLIC, and its relevant information is set out below:

Name of company

China Life Insurance (Group) Company

Legal representative

Yang Mingsheng

Date of incorporation

Organization code

Registered capital

Main businesses

Future development strategy

Shareholdings in other 
subsidiaries and affiliates listed 
in China or abroad during the 
Reporting Period

21 July 2003 (CLIC was formerly known as China Life Insurance Company, a company 
approved and formed by the State Council in January 1999. With the approval of the 
CIRC in 2003, China Life Insurance Company was restructured as CLIC.)

10002372-8

4.6 billion

Insurance  services  including  receipt  of  premiums  and  payment  of  benefits  in 
respect  of  the  in-force  life,  health,  accident  and  other  types  of  personal  insurance 
business,  and  the  reinsurance  business;  holding  or  investing  in  domestic  and 
overseas  insurance  companies  or  other  financial  insurance  institutions;  funds 
management  business  permitted  by  national  laws  and  regulations  or  approved  by 
the  State  Council  of  the  PRC;  other  businesses  approved  by  insurance  regulatory 
agencies.

The  strategy  is  designed  to  devote  much  efforts  in  consolidating  the  competitive 
advantages in its existing principal business including life insurance, asset management, 
property and casualty insurance, and enterprise annuity by focusing on the core aspects 
of  “development  under  a  group  and  professional  operation”  and  implementing  the 
strategic measures such as “driven by innovation, principal business upgrade, integrated 
operation, resources integration, overseas expansion, talent prioritization, technological 
guidance  and  cultural  navigation”,  which  enables  the  Group  to  grow  bigger  and 
stronger. The strategy aims to actively develop new business areas such as non-insurance 
financial  business  and  internet  financial  business,  which  makes  such  business  areas  a 
new  growth  point  for  the  development  of  the  Group.  The  strategy  intends  to  develop 
China Life into a world-class modern financial insurance group by taking further steps 
to  push  forward  the  integrated  operation,  market-oriented  mechanism,  management 
modernization, and business internationalization.

As  at  31  December  2014,  CLIC  held  231,141,935  A  shares  of  CITIC  Securities 
Co.,  Ltd.,  representing  2.1%  of  its  total  shares,  and  227,226,064  A  shares  of  China 
Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd., representing 0.67% of its total shares.

51

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Changes in Share Capital and Shareholders Information

The effective controller of the Company is the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China. The 
equity and controlling relationship between the Company and its effective controller is set out in below:

Ministry of Finance

100%

China Life Insurance (Group) Company 

68.37%

China Life Insurance Company Limited

During the Reporting Period, there was no change to the controlling shareholder and the effective controller 
of  the  Company.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  there  was  no  other  corporate  shareholder  holding 
more than 10% of the shares in the Company.

4.  

INTERESTS  AND  SHORT  POSITIONS  IN  THE  SHARES  AND  UNDERLYING  SHARES 
OF  THE  COMPANY  HELD  BY  SUBSTANTIAL  SHAREHOLDERS  AND  OTHER 
PERSONS UNDER HONG KONG LAWS AND REGULATIONS
So far as is known to the Directors, Supervisors and the chief executive of the Company, as at 31 December 2014, 
the following persons (other than the Directors, Supervisors and the chief executive of the Company) had interests 
or  short  positions  in  the  shares  or  underlying  shares  of  the  Company  which  would  fall  to  be  disclosed  to  the 
Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO, or which were recorded in the register 
required to be kept by the Company pursuant to Section 336 of the SFO, or as otherwise notified to the Company 
and HKSE:

Name of substantial shareholder

Capacity

Type of shares

Number of
 shares held

Percentage of 
the respective 
type of shares

Percentage of 
the total number 
of shares in issue

China Life Insurance (Group) 
  Company

Beneficial owner

A Shares

19,323,530,000 (L)

92.80%

68.37%

BlackRock, Inc. (Note 1)

Interest in controlled corporation

H Shares

532,568,789 (L)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Note 2)

Beneficial owner, investment 
manager, trustee and custodian 
corporation/approved lending 
agent

H Shares

448,698,262 (L)
36,726,613 (S)
325,782,986 (P)

7.16%

6.02%
0.49%
4.37%

1.88%

1.59%
0.13%
1.15%

The letter “L” denotes a long position. The letter “S” denotes a short position. The letter “P” denotes interest in a lending pool.

52

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Changes in Share Capital and Shareholders Information

(Note 1):  BlackRock, Inc. was interested in a total of 532,568,789 H shares in accordance with the provisions of Part XV of the 

SFO. Of these shares, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock 

Institutional  Trust  Company,  N.A.,  BlackRock  Fund  Advisors,  BlackRock  Advisors,  LLC,  BlackRock  Japan  Co  Ltd, 

BlackRock  Asset  Management  Canada  Limited,  BlackRock  Investment  Management  (Australia)  Limited,  BlackRock 

Asset Management North Asia Limited, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., Blackrock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock 

International  Limited,  BlackRock  Asset  Management  Ireland  Limited,  BlackRock  (Luxembourg)  S.A.,  BlackRock 

Investment  Management  (UK)  Ltd,  BlackRock  Asset  Management  Deutschland  AG,  BlackRock  Fund  Managers 

Ltd  and  BlackRock  Life  Limited  were  interested  in  3,897,305  H  shares,  2,181,000  H  shares,  110,954,051  H  shares, 

174,758,000 H shares, 2,062,000 H shares, 7,120,352 H shares, 2,207,480 H shares, 3,217,000 H shares, 54,535,895 

H shares, 3,140,000 H shares, 69,371,822 H shares, 4,446,700 H shares, 54,443,186 H shares, 22,665,000 H shares, 

12,389,998 H shares, 704,000 H shares, 4,357,000 H shares and 118,000 H shares respectively. All of these entities 

are either controlled or indirectly controlled subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc.

(Note 2):  JPMorgan  Chase  &  Co.  was  interested  in  a  total  of  448,698,262  H  shares  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Part 

XV  of  the  SFO.  Of  these  shares,  J.P.  Morgan  Securities  LLC,  J.P.  Morgan  Clearing  Corp,  JF  Asset  Management 

Limited,  J.P.  Morgan  Investment  Management  Inc.,  J.P.  Morgan  Trust  Company  of  Delaware,  J.P.  Morgan 

Whitefriars  Inc.,  J.P.  Morgan  Securities  plc,  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.  and  JPMorgan  Asset  Management  (UK) 

Limited  were  interested  in  3,630  H  shares,  2,353,139  H  shares,  6,916,000  H  shares,  401,000  H  shares,  1,860  H 

shares,  90,678,761  H  shares,  22,279,366  H  shares,  325,788,506  H  shares  and  276,000  H  shares  respectively.  All  of 

these entities are either controlled or indirectly controlled subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Included  in  the  448,698,262  H  shares  are  325,782,986  H  shares  (4.37%),  which  are  held  in  the  “lending  pool”,  as 

defined under Section 5(4) of the Securities and Futures (Disclosure of Interests – Securities Borrowing and Lending) 

Rules.

JPMorgan  Chase  &  Co.  held  by  way  of  attribution  a  short  position  as  defined  under  Part  XV  of  the  SFO  in 

36,726,613 H shares (0.49%).

Save as disclosed above, the Directors, Supervisors and the chief executive of the Company are not aware that there 
is any party who, as at 31 December 2014, had an interest or short position in the shares and underlying shares of 
the Company which were recorded in the register required to be kept by the Company pursuant to Section 336 of 
the SFO.

53

 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

I   DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

1.   CURRENT DIRECTORS

Other benefits, 
social insurance, 
housing 
provident fund 
and enterprise 
annuity fund 
paid by the 
Company 
in RMB ten 
thousands

Total 
emolument 
received from 
the Company 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands 
(before tax)

Total 
emolument 
received from 
shareholders 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands

Number 
of shares 
held at the 
beginning of 
the year

Number of 
shares held 
at the end of 
the year

Remuneration 
paid/fee in 
RMB ten 
thousands

Reason for 
changes

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

44.55

39.99

19.83

19.83

0

0

0

32.00

30.00

8.00

8.00

/

40.29

37.09

18.44

18.43

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

84.84

77.08

38.27

38.26

0

0

0

32.00

30.00

8.00

8.00

0

0

0

0

80.08

76.90

76.90

0

0

0

0

316.45

233.88

Name

Position

Gender

Age

Term

Male

59

Since 10 July 2012

Yang Mingsheng

Lin Dairen

Su Hengxuan

Miao Ping

Miao Jianmin

Chairman
Executive Director

Executive Director

Executive Director

Executive Director

Male

Male

Male

Non-executive Director Male

Zhang Xiangxian

Non-executive Director Male

Wang Sidong

Non-executive Director Male

Bruce Douglas Moore

Independent Director

Anthony Francis Neoh

Independent Director

Chang Tso Tung Stephen Independent Director

Huang Yiping

Independent Director

/

Total

Notes:

Male

Male

Male

Male

/

56

52

56

50

59

53

65

68

66

51

/

Since 10 July 2012

Since 1 July 2014

Since 1 July 2014

Since 10 July 2012

Since 24 July 2012

Since 24 July 2012

Since 10 July 2012

Since 10 July 2012

Since 20 October 2014

Since 20 October 2014

/

1. 

According  to  the  Procedural  Rules  for  Board  of  Directors  Meetings  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited, 

Directors serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected. However, Independent Directors may not serve for 

more than six years.

2. 

The positions of the Directors in this annual report reflect their positions as at the submission date of this annual 

report. The emoluments are calculated based on their terms of office during the Reporting Period.

3.  With the approval given at the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Company and the approval from CIRC, Mr. 

Su Hengxuan and Mr. Miao Ping were appointed as the Executive Directors with effect from 1 July 2014.

4.   With the approval given at the First Extraordinary General Meeting 2014 of the Company and the approval from 

CIRC,  Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen  and  Mr.  Huang  Yiping  were  appointed  as  the  Independent  Directors  with 

effect from 20 October 2014.

5. 

According  to  the  relevant  rules  and  regulations  of  China,  the  final  amount  of  emoluments  of  the  Chairman  and 

Executive Directors is currently subject to review and approval. The result of the review will be revealed when the 

final amount is confirmed.

54

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

2.(cid:2) CURRENT SUPERVISORS

Other benefits, 
social insurance, 
housing 
provident fund 
and enterprise 
annuity fund 
paid by the 
Company 
in RMB ten 
thousands

Total 
emolument 
received from 
the Company 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands 
(before tax)

Total 
emolument 
received from 
shareholders 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands

Number 
of shares 
held at the 
beginning of 
the year

Number of 
shares held 
at the end of 
the year

Remuneration 
paid/fee in 
RMB ten 
thousands

Reason for 
changes

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

39.65

61.55

61.55

58.98

0

/

37.15

37.89

38.14

37.40

0

/

76.80

99.44

99.69

96.38

0

372.31

0

0

0

0

18.65

18.65

Name

Xia Zhihua

Shi Xiangming

Yang Cuilian

Li Xuejun

Position

Gender

Age

Term

Chairperson of the 
  Supervisory Committee

Supervisor

Employee Representative 
  Supervisor

Employee Representative 
  Supervisor

Female

60

Since 10 July 2012

Male

Female

55

50

Since 24 July 2012

Since 24 July 2012

Male

44

Since 24 July 2012

Xiong Junhong

Supervisor

Female

46

Since 20 October 2014

/

/

/

/

Total

Notes:

1. 

Pursuant to the Articles of Association, Supervisors serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected.

2. 

The positions of the Supervisors in this annual report reflect their positions as at the submission date of this annual 

report. The emoluments are calculated based on their terms of office during the Reporting Period.

3.  With the approval given at the First Extraordinary General Meeting 2014 of the Company and the approval from 

CIRC, Ms. Xiong Junhong was appointed as a Supervisor with effect from 20 October 2014.

4. 

According  to  the  relevant  rules  and  regulations  of  China,  the  final  amount  of  emoluments  of  the  Chairperson  of 

the  Supervisory  Committee  is  currently  subject  to  review  and  approval.  The  result  of  the  review  will  be  revealed 

when the final amount is confirmed.

55

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

3.(cid:2)

 CURRENT SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Number 
of shares 
held at the 
beginning of 
the year

Number of 
shares held 
at the end of 
the year

Remuneration 
paid in RMB 
ten thousands

Reason for 
changes

Gender

Age

Term

Other benefits, 
social insurance, 
housing 
provident fund 
and enterprise 
annuity fund 
paid by the 
Company 
in RMB ten 
thousands

Total 
emolument 
received from 
the Company 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands 
(before tax)

Total 
emolument 
received from 
shareholders 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

56

52

56

51

56

55

45

44

52

47

Since April 2014

Since August 2008

Since December 2009

Since March 2013

Since November 2014

Since November 2014

Appointed as Vice 
President since 
November 2014; 
appointed as Chief 
Actuary since March 
2012

Since November 2014

Since June 2013

Since December 2014

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

39.99

39.65

39.65

39.65

37.87

6.61

37.87

37.87

51.64

3.08

/

37.09

37.15

37.07

41.06

35.42

6.18

33.81

33.31

34.48

2.74

77.08

76.80

76.72

80.71

73.29

12.79

71.68

71.18

86.12

5.82

/

632.19

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Name

Lin Dairen

Su Hengxuan

Miao Ping

Liu Anlin

Xu Hengping

Xu Haifeng

Li Mingguang

Position

President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President
Chief Actuary

Yang Zheng

Zheng Yong

Vice President

Board Secretary

Male

Male

Huang Xiumei

Financial Controller

Female

The  positions  of  the  members  of  the  Senior  Management  in  this  annual  report  reflect  their  positions  as  at  the 
submission  date  of  this  annual  report.  The  emoluments  are  calculated  based  on  their  terms  of  office  during  the 
Reporting Period.

According  to  the  relevant  rules  and  regulations  of  China,  the  final  amount  of  emoluments  of  the  Senior 
Management  is  currently  subject  to  review  and  approval.  The  result  of  the  review  will  be  revealed  when  the  final 
amount is confirmed.

3.   With  the  approval  given  at  the  twelfth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  and  the  approval  from  CIRC, 

Mr. Lin Dairen was appointed as the President of the Company with effect from 29 April 2014.

4.   With the approval given at the sixteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board and the approval from CIRC, 
Mr. Xu Hengping, Mr. Xu Haifeng, Mr. Li Mingguang and Mr. Yang Zheng were appointed as the Vice President 
of the Company with effect from 5 November 2014.

5.   With  the  approval  given  at  the  sixteenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board,  Ms.  Huang  Xiumei  was 

appointed as the Financial Controller of the Company with effect from 19 December 2014.

56

Total

Notes:

1. 

2. 

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

4.   RESIGNATION  AND  RETIREMENT  OF  DIRECTORS,  SUPERVISORS  AND 

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Name

Previous Position Gender

Age

Term

Number of 
shares held at 
the beginning 
of the year

Number of 
shares held at 
the end of the 
year

Remuneration 
paid/fee in 
RMB ten 
thousands

Reason for 
changes

Other 
benefits, social 
insurance, 
housing 
provident fund 
and enterprise 
annuity fund 
paid by the 
Company 
in RMB ten 
thousands

Total 
emolument 
received from 
the Company 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands 
(before tax)

Total 
emolument 
received from 
shareholders 
during the 
Reporting 
Period in RMB 
ten thousands

Wan Feng

Executive Director

Male

56

President

Vice Chairman, 
Non-executive 
Director

Liu Yingqi

Executive Director

Female

56

Sun Changji

Tang Jianbang

Vice President

Independent 
Director

Independent 
Director

Luo Zhongmin

Supervisor

Male

Male

Male

Liu Jiade

Vice President

Male

Zhou Ying

Vice President

Male

Total

  /

/

72

68

64

52

61

/

10 July 2012 – 
25 March 2014

September 2007 – 
25 March 2014

25 March 2014 – 
5 August 2014

10 July 2012 – 
25 March 2014

January 2006 – 
25 March 2014

10 July 2012 – 
20 October 2014

24 July 2012 – 
20 October 2014

24 July 2012 – 
29 May 2014

August 2003 – 25 
March 2014

August 2008 – 3 
April 2014

/

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

10.03

9.37

19.40

33.51

9.91

9.31

19.22

0

0

6.25

9.91

0

0

0

9.41

13.22

12.93

0

0

6.25

19.32

26.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

Reason for changes

Due to adjustment of work arrangements, 
Mr. Wan Feng tendered his resignation as 
the President and was re-designated as Non-
executive Director. Due to his personal career 
arrangement, Mr. Wan Feng tendered his 
resignation as the Vice Chairman and Non-
executive Director

Resigned due to adjustment of work 
arrangements

Resigned pursuant to the relevant state policy 
of China

Resigned pursuant to the relevant state policy 
of China

Resigned pursuant to the relevant state policy 
of China

Resigned due to adjustment of work 
arrangements

Retired due to the attainment of statutory 
retirement age

/

/

90.34

33.51

/

Note:  According to the relevant rules and regulations of China, Mr. Sun Changji and Mr. Tang Jianbang, Independent Directors, did 

not receive any emoluments from the Company during the Reporting Period.

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

DIRECTORS

Mr. Yang Mingsheng, born in 1955, Chinese
Mr.  Yang  became  the  Chairman  and  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  May  2012. 
He  has  been  the  Chairman  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  since  March  2012,  the 
Chairman  of  China  Life  Property  and  Casualty  Insurance  Company  Limited  since  March  2012, 
the  Chairman  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Overseas)  Company  Limited  since  January  2013,  and 
the  Chairman  of  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited  since  December  2013.  Mr. 
Yang has many years of experience in financial industry. He acted as the Vice Chairman of China 
Insurance  Regulatory  Commission  from  2007  to  2012,  and  worked  for  Agricultural  Bank  of 
China from 1980 to 2007, where he held various positions such as the Vice President of Shenyang 
Branch,  Head  of  Industrial  Credit  Department  and  President  of  Tianjin  Branch.  He  was 
appointed as the Vice President of Agricultural Bank of China in 1997 and was then promoted to 
the  President  of  Agricultural  Bank  of  China  in  2003.  Mr.  Yang,  a  Senior  Economist,  graduated 
from the Faculty of Finance of Nankai University, majoring in Monetary Banking with a Master’s 
degree in Economics.

Mr. Lin Dairen, born in 1958, Chinese
Mr. Lin became an Executive Director of the Company since October 2008, and was appointed 
as  the  President  of  the  Company  by  the  Board  in  March  2014.  He  served  concurrently  as  a 
Non-executive  Director  of  China  Life  Property  and  Casualty  Insurance  Company  Limited 
and  China  Life  Pension  Company  Limited.  He  served  as  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company 
from  2003  to  March  2014,  and  an  Executive  Director  and  the  President  of  China  Life  Pension 
Company  Limited  from  November  2006  to  March  2014.  Mr.  Lin  graduated  with  a  Bachelor’s 
degree  in  Medicine  from  Shandong  Province  Changwei  Medical  Institute  in  1982.  Mr.  Lin,  a 
Senior  Economist,  was  awarded  special  allowance  by  the  State  Council.  He  worked  in  the  life 
insurance  industry  for  over  33  years  and  has  accumulated  extensive  experience  in  operation  and 
management. He is currently the Chairman of the China Life Foundation, Vice Chairman of the 
Insurance Institute of China and the Insurance Association of China, and the Director of the Life 
Insurance Committee of the Insurance Association of China.

58

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Mr. Su Hengxuan, born in 1963, Chinese
Mr.  Su  became  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  July  2014.  He  has  been  the  Vice 
President  of  the  Company  since  August  2008.  Mr.  Su  served  as  the  Assistant  to  the  President 
of  the  Company  from  January  2006  to  July  2008.  He  has  also  been  a  Director  of  China  Life 
Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited since November 2006, Director of Insurance 
Professional  College  since  December  2006,  and  Director  of  China  Life  Asset  Management 
Company  Limited  since  May  2014.  He  was  the  General  Manager  of  the  Company’s  Individual 
Life  Insurance  Business  Department  from  2003  to  2006.  Mr.  Su  graduated  from  the  Banking 
School  of  Henan  Province  in  1983,  the  Department  of  Finance  and  Insurance  of  the  School  of 
Economics  of  Wuhan  University  in  1998  with  a  Bachelor’s  degree  in  Economics,  majoring  in 
Insurance, and the School of Management of the University of Science and Technology of China 
in July 2011 with a PhD in Management, majoring in Management Science and Engineering. Mr. 
Su, a Senior Economist, has over 30 years of experience in the Chinese life insurance industry and 
insurance  management.  He  is  currently  the  Chairman  of  the  Insurance  Marketing  Committee, 
the  Vice  Chairman  of  the  Education  and  Training  Committee,  and  an  executive  member  of 
the  Human  Resources  Development  Committee  of  the  Insurance  Association  of  China,  and  a 
member of China Advisory Panel of the Financial Planning Standards Board.

Mr. Miao Ping, born in 1958, Chinese
Mr.  Miao  became  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  July  2014.  He  has  been  the  Vice 
President of the Company since December 2009, the General Manager of the Company’s Jiangsu 
Branch  since  September  2006,  the  General  Manager  of  the  Company’s  Jiangxi  Branch  since 
September 2004, and the Deputy General Manager of the Company’s Jiangsu Branch since April 
2002.  Mr.  Miao  graduated  from  the  Correspondence  College  of  Yangzhou  University  in  1996, 
majoring  in  Economics  and  Management.  Mr.  Miao,  a  Senior  Economist,  has  over  31  years  of 
experience in the operation of life insurance business and the management of insurance business.

Mr. Miao Jianmin, born in 1965, Chinese
Mr.  Miao  became  a  Non-executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  October  2008.  He  is  the  Vice 
Chairman  and  President  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company.  He  is  concurrently  a 
Director of China Life Asset Management Company Limited, the Chairman of China Insurance 
Plaza  Company  Limited,  a  Director  of  China  World  Trade  Center  Co.,  Ltd.,  and  an  Executive 
Director  of  China  Finance  40  Forum.  He  was  awarded  special  allowance  by  the  State  Council. 
In  2009,  he  was  named  as  a  “State-level  Candidate  for  the  New  Century  Talents  Project”  and 
one  of  the  “60  People  in  China  Insurance  Industry  in  the  60-year  History  of  New  China”.  Mr. 
Miao graduated from the Central University of Finance and Economics with a Doctor’s degree in 
Economics. Before that, Mr. Miao graduated from the post-graduate division of the People’s Bank 
of  China  with  a  Master’s  degree  in  Money  and  Banking,  and  the  Central  University  of  Finance 
and Economics with a Bachelor’s degree in Insurance. Mr. Miao is a Senior Economist.

59

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

Mr. Zhang Xiangxian, born in 1955, Chinese
Mr.  Zhang  became  a  Non-executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  July  2012.  He  has  been  the 
Secretary of Commission for Disciplinary Inspection of China Life Insurance (Group) Company 
since  October  2006,  and  the  Vice  President  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  since 
August 2008. Mr. Zhang has many years of experience in the insurance industry and held various 
positions from 1993 to 2006, including the Director of the Promotion Division of General Office 
and  Deputy  General  Manager  of  General  Office  of  the  People’s  Insurance  Company  of  China, 
the Office Director of the CIRC, the Deputy Office Director (responsible for daily operations) of 
Shenzhen  office  of  the  CIRC,  and  the  Director  of  Administrative  Department  of  Representative 
Agencies of the CIRC. Mr. Zhang is a Senior Editor and obtained a Master’s degree in Business 
Administration for senior management from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.

Mr. Wang Sidong, born in 1961, Chinese
Mr. Wang became a Non-executive Director of the Company in July 2012. He has been the Vice 
President  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company,  the  Chairman  of  China  Life  Investment 
Holding  Company  Limited,  and  a  Director  of  China  Life  Pension  Company  Limited  since  June 
2004. Mr. Wang worked for the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, the Xinhua 
News  Agency  Hong  Kong  Branch,  and  the  Hong  Kong  Chinese  Enterprises  Association.  He 
served  as  Deputy  Director  of  the  General  Office  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company,  Deputy 
General  Manager  of  its  Zhejiang  Branch  and  Deputy  Director  of  the  Shares  Reform  Office  of 
China Life from 2000. Mr. Wang was the Director of the General Office of China Life Insurance 
(Group)  Company  in  2003.  Mr.  Wang  graduated  from  Shandong  University  with  a  Bachelor’s 
degree in Arts, majoring in Chinese Language and Literature.

Mr. Bruce Douglas Moore, born in 1949, American
Mr. Moore became an Independent Director of the Company in May 2009. From 2002 to 2007, 
Mr.  Moore  worked  in  Beijing  as  the  Partner-in-charge  of  Asian  actuarial  services  for  Ernst  & 
Young. He had served in actuarial leadership roles with Ernst & Young in New York and Tokyo. 
From 1995 to 2000, he was the head of international actuarial services in New York with Ernst & 
Young. In 2000, Mr. Moore worked at Ernst & Young’s Beijing Office where he was in charge of 
the business in Asian markets (including Japan). In 2001, he worked at Ernst & Young’s Tokyo 
Office responsible for the actuarial services in Japan. Since 2002, Mr. Moore worked at Ernst & 
Young’s Beijing Office overseeing the actuarial services in Asian markets (excluding Japan). From 
1982 to 1995, Mr. Moore worked in various senior financial management positions at Prudential 
Life Insurance (U.S.). Mr. Moore graduated from Brown University in 1971, majoring in Applied 
Mathematics.  Mr.  Moore  has  obtained  FSA,  FCAS,  MAAA  and  CFA  qualifications.  Mr.  Moore 
has over 36 years of experience serving the insurance industry as an executive and a consultant.

60

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh, born in 1946, Chinese
Mr.  Neoh  became  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  in  June  2010.  He  currently  serves 
as a member of the International Consultation Committee of the CSRC. He previously served as 
Chief  Advisor  to  the  CSRC,  a  member  of  the  Basic  Law  Committee  of  the  Hong  Kong  Special 
Administrative  Region  under  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  National  People’s  Congress  of 
China, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, etc. From 1996 
to 1998, he was the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the International Organization of 
Securities Commissions. He was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (since retitled as Senior Counsel) 
in Hong Kong in 1990. Mr. Neoh graduated from the University of London with a degree in Law 
in 1976. He is a barrister of England and Wales and admitted to the State Bar of California. In 
2003,  he  was  conferred  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  honoris  causa,  by  the  Chinese  University 
of  Hong  Kong.  He  was  elected  Honorary  Fellow  of  the  Hong  Kong  Securities  Institute  and 
Academician  of  the  International  Euro-Asian  Academy  of  Sciences  in  2009.  Mr.  Neoh  was  a 
Non-executive  Director  of  Global  Digital  Creations  Holdings  Limited  from  November  2002  to 
December 2005, and an Independent Non-executive Director of the Link Management Limited, 
Manager  of  the  Link  Real  Estate  Investment  Trust,  from  September  2004  to  March  2006.  He 
served as an Independent Non-executive Director of Bank of China Limited from August 2004 to 
September  2013.  Since  December  2014,  he  has  been  an  Independent  Non-executive  Director  of 
CITIC Limited.

Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen, born in 1948, Chinese
Mr.  Chang  became  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  in  October  2014.  He  served  as 
the  vice  chairman  of  the  Greater  China  Region  of  Ernst  &  Young,  the  managing  partner  for 
professional services and the chairman of auditing and consulting service of Ernst & Young until 
his  retirement  in  2004.  From  2007  to  2013,  Mr.  Chang  was  an  Independent  Non-executive 
Director  of  China  Pacific  Insurance  (Group)  Co.,  Ltd.  Mr.  Chang  is  currently  an  Independent 
Non-executive  Director  of  China  Cinda  Asset  Management  Co.,  Ltd.,  Kerry  Properties  Limited 
and  Hua  Hong  Semiconductor  Limited,  all  of  which  are  listed  on  HKSE.  Mr.  Chang  has  been 
practicing  as  a  certified  public  accountant  in  Hong  Kong  for  around  30  years  and  has  extensive 
experience  in  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  management.  Mr.  Chang  holds  a  Bachelor 
of  Science  degree  from  the  University  of  London,  and  is  a  fellow  member  of  the  Institute  of 
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Mr. Huang Yiping, born in 1964, Chinese
Mr.  Huang  became  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  in  October  2014.  Mr.  Huang  is 
currently a professor of economics and the Deputy Dean of the National School of Development 
at  Peking  University.  From  August  2011  to  June  2013,  Mr.  Huang  was  the  Managing  Director 
and Chief Economist of Emerging Asian Market of Barclays Capital. From May 2000 to February 
2009,  he  held  various  positions  at  Citigroup  including  the  Vice  President  of  the  Asia  Pacific 
Region and Economist of the Greater China Region, as well as the Managing Director and Chief 
Economist of the Asia Pacific Region. From August 1993 to April 2000, he held various positions 
including  researcher  and  senior  lecturer  of  the  Asia-Pacific  Economics  and  Management  College 
and Director of the China Economy Program at the Australian National University. Mr. Huang 
received his Master of Economics from Renmin University of China and PhD in Economics from 
the Australian National University.

61

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

SUPERVISORS

Ms. Xia Zhihua, born in 1955, Chinese
Ms.  Xia  became  the  Chairperson  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  of  the  Company  in  March 
2006. Ms. Xia acted as the Deputy Director of National Debt Bureau of the Ministry of Finance 
from  July  1997  to  June  1998  and  the  Deputy  Director  of  National  Debt  and  Finance  Bureau 
of  the  Ministry  of  Finance  from  July  1998  to  June  2000.  Ms.  Xia  served  as  the  State  Council’s 
representative  in  Supervisory  Committee  of  state-owned  important  financial  institutions, 
Designated  Supervisor  of  assistant  bureau-level  official  from  July  2000  to  October  2001,  and 
the  State  Council’s  representative  in  Supervisory  Committee  of  state-owned  important  financial 
institutions,  Designated  Supervisor  of  bureau-level  official  from  November  2001  to  December 
2005.  Ms.  Xia  graduated  from  Xiamen  University,  majoring  in  Political  Economics  at  the 
Department of Economics, and majoring in World Economics at the College of Economics from 
February  1978  to  November  1984,  and  received  a  BA  degree  and  a  MA  degree  in  Economics 
respectively.  Currently,  Ms.  Xia  is  an  Executive  Director  of  both  the  China  Institution  of 
Internal  Audit  and  the  Insurance  Institute  of  China,  and  the  Vice  Chairman  of  Supervisory 
Board Committee of China Association for Public Companies. Ms. Xia, a Senior Economist, has 
obtained the qualification of Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and was awarded special allowance 
by the State Council.

Mr. Shi Xiangming, born in 1959, Chinese
Mr.  Shi  became  a  Supervisor  of  the  Company  in  May  2009,  and  has  been  the  General  Manager 
of the Supervisory Department of the Company since September 2008. Mr. Shi served as Deputy 
General  Manager  of  the  Human  Resources  Department  and  Office  Director  of  the  Company 
from September 2003 to September 2008. From March 2002 to August 2003, Mr. Shi served as 
the Deputy General Manager of the Supervisory Department of China Life Insurance Company. 
Mr.  Shi  graduated  from  the  Chemistry  School  of  the  first  branch  college  of  Peking  University 
with a Bachelor’s degree in Science.

Ms. Yang Cuilian, born in 1965, Chinese
Ms. Yang became a Supervisor of the Company in July 2012, and has been the General Manager 
of  the  Brand  Promotion  Department  of  the  Company  since  October  2014.  She  served  as  the 
General  Manager  of  the  Group  Business  Department  of  the  Company  from  January  2011  to 
September  2014.  Ms.  Yang  joined  the  Company  in  July  1984.  She  successively  served  as  the 
Deputy  General  Manager  of  Jiangxi  Branch,  General  Manager  of  Pingxiang  Branch,  Manager 
of  the  Group  Sales  Department  of  Jiangxi  Branch,  and  Manager  of  the  Business  Management 
Department  of  Jiangxi  Branch.  Ms.  Yang,  a  Senior  Economist,  graduated  from  Party  School  of 
the Central Committee of C.P.C with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Economic Management.

62

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Mr. Li Xuejun, born in 1970, Chinese
Mr.  Li  became  a  Supervisor  of  the  Company  in  July  2012,  and  has  been  the  General  Manager 
of  the  Strategy  and  Marketing  Department  of  the  Company  since  July  2014.  Mr.  Li  served  as 
the General Manager of the Education and Training Department of the Company from January 
2011  to  June  2014.  Mr.  Li  joined  the  Company  in  November  1997.  He  successively  served 
as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Education  and  Training  Department  of  the  Company 
(responsible  for  daily  operations),  Assistant  General  Manager  of  Shanghai  Branch,  General 
Manager  of  Shanghai  Songjiang  Sub-branch,  and  General  Manager  of  the  Human  Resource 
Department  of  Shanghai  Branch.  Mr.  Li  worked  for  Shanghai  Finance  College  (now  known  as 
Shanghai  Finance  University)  from  July  1994  to  October  1997.  Mr.  Li,  a  Senior  Economist, 
graduated from the Department of Insurance at Central Finance College (now known as Central 
University  of  Finance  and  Economics)  in  1994,  majoring  in  International  Insurance  with  a 
Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Ms. Xiong Junhong, born in 1968, Chinese
Ms.  Xiong  became  a  Supervisor  of  the  Company  in  October  2014.  She  is  a  Senior  Economist 
with  a  PhD  in  Finance  from  Nankai  University.  From  July  1993  to  August  2003,  Ms.  Xiong 
worked  at  the  Banking  Department  and  Trust  Department  of  China  People’s  Insurance  Trust 
and  Investment  Company,  and  at  the  Assets  Management  Department  of  China  Life  Insurance 
Company.  Ms.  Xiong  has  been  serving  as  the  Director  of  the  Assets  Management  Department 
of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  since  September  2003,  the  Senior  Manager  of 
the  Strategic  Planning  Department  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  since  August 
2006,  the  Assistant  to  the  General  Manager  of  the  Strategic  Planning  Department  of  China 
Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  since  September  2008,  the  Assistant  to  the  General  Manager 
(equivalent to the rank of departmental deputy general manager of China Life Insurance (Group) 
Company)  of  the  Company’s  Hebei  Branch  since  December  2010,  and  the  Deputy  General 
Manager of the Strategic Planning Department of China Life Insurance (Group) Company since 
June  2013.  Ms.  Xiong  has  many  years  of  experience  in  strategic  management  and  investment 
study,  and  has  extensive  experience  in  assets  preservation,  risk  management,  management  of 
retained assets, investment research and strategic planning.

63

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Mr. Lin Dairen, please see the section “Directors” for his profile.

Mr. Su Hengxuan, please see the section “Directors” for his profile.

Mr. Miao Ping, please see the section “Directors” for his profile.

Mr. Liu Anlin, born in 1963, Chinese
Mr.  Liu  became  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  in  March  2013.  He  serves  as  a  member 
of  the  Party  Committee  of  the  Company  since  February  2013.  He  served  concurrently  as  the 
Party  Secretary  and  General  Manager  of  Beijing  Branch  of  the  Company  from  February  2013 
to November 2014. From December 2012 to February 2013, Mr. Liu was the Person-in-Charge 
(with  equivalent  level  as  Assistant  to  the  President  of  the  Company)  of  Beijing  Branch  of  the 
Company.  From  2009  to  2012,  Mr.  Liu  was  the  Party  Secretary  and  General  Manager  (with 
equivalent level as Assistant to the President of the Company) of Jiangsu Branch of the Company. 
From  2006  to  2009,  Mr.  Liu  served  as  the  Chief  Information  Technology  Officer  (with 
equivalent level as Assistant to the President of the Company) of the Company, and concurrently 
as the Party Secretary and General Manager of Beijing R&D Center in 2008. From 2003 to 2006, 
Mr. Liu was the General Manager of the Information Technology Department of the Company. 
Prior  to  that,  Mr.  Liu  successively  served  as  Person-in-Charge  of  the  Information  Technology 
Department  of  the  Company,  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Human  Resource  Department 
of  the  Company,  Assistant  to  the  General  Manager  of  Gansu  Branch  of  the  Company,  and 
Deputy  Head  of  the  Computer  Department  (responsible  for  daily  operations)  of  Gansu  Branch 
of  the  Company.  Mr.  Liu  graduated  from  the  Mathematics  and  Mechanics  Department  of 
Lanzhou  University  (majoring  in  computer  mathematics),  and  obtained  a  Bachelor’s  degree  in 
Science  in  1985.  He  also  obtained  a  Master’s  degree  in  Business  Administration  from  Tsinghua 
University  in  2006.  Mr.  Liu  has  over  25  years  of  experience  in  operation  of  the  life  insurance 
business  and  insurance  management,  during  which  he  gained  extensive  experience  in  operation 
and  management.  Mr.  Liu  was  awarded  special  allowance  by  the  State  Council  and  is  a  Senior 
Engineer.

Mr. Xu Hengping, born in 1958, Chinese
Mr.  Xu  became  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  in  November  2014.  He  became  the  Chief 
Operating  Officer  of  the  Company  in  August  2010.  Mr.  Xu  had  been  the  General  Manager  of 
the  Company’s  Fujian  Branch  since  April  2007,  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Company’s 
Fujian Branch since December 2002, Assistant to the General Manager of the Company’s Fujian 
Branch  since  September  1998,  and  Director  of  Personal  Insurance  Division  of  the  Company’s 
Fujian Branch since July 1996. Mr. Xu once served as General Manager of the Sales Department 
and  General  Manager  of  Longyan  Branch  of  Fuzhou  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited.  Mr.  Xu 
graduated from Hunan University, majoring in Finance. Mr. Xu, a Senior Economist, has over 34 
years of experience in operation of the life insurance business and insurance management.

64

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Mr. Xu Haifeng, born in 1959, Chinese
Mr. Xu became the Vice President of the Company in November 2014. He became the Business 
Controller  of  the  Company  in  February  2014,  and  served  concurrently  as  the  General  Manager 
of Hebei Branch of the Company. Mr. Xu served as the General Manager of Beijing Branch and 
the  General  Manager  of  Hebei  Branch  of  the  Company  from  2006  to  2014.  Prior  to  that,  Mr. 
Xu  served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  and  General  Manager  of  Linyi  Branch  in  Shandong 
Province  and  the  General  Manager  of  the  Business  Management  Department  in  Shandong 
Branch of the Company, the General Manager of Jinan Branch and the Deputy General Manager 
of  Beijing  Branch  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Xu  graduated  from  Linyi  Foreign  Language  Normal 
University in 1982, from Shandong Provincial Party School majoring in Economic Management 
in  1996,  and  obtained  a  MA  degree  in  Business  Administration  from  Zhongnan  University  of 
Economics  and  Law  in  2007.  Mr.  Xu,  a  Senior  Economist,  has  over  30  years  of  experience  in 
operation of the life insurance business and insurance management.

Mr. Li Mingguang, born in 1969, Chinese
Mr.  Li  became  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  in  November  2014.  He  became  the  Chief 
Actuary of the Company in March 2012. Mr. Li joined the Company in 1996 and subsequently 
served  as  Deputy  Director,  Director,  Assistant  to  General  Manager  of  the  Product  Development 
Department,  Responsible  Actuary  of  the  Company  and  General  Manager  of  the  Actuarial 
Department.  He  graduated  from  Shanghai  Jiao  Tong  University  majoring  in  Computer  Science 
with  a  Bachelor’s  degree  in  1991,  Central  University  of  Finance  and  Economics  majoring  in 
Actuarial  Science  with  a  Master’s  degree  in  1996  and  Tsinghua  University  with  an  EMBA  in 
2010,  and  also  studied  in  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  United  States  in  2011.  Mr.  Li  is  a 
Fellow  of  the  China  Association  of  Actuaries  (FCAA)  and  a  Fellow  of  the  Institute  and  Faculty 
of  Actuaries  (FIA).  He  was  the  Chairman  of  the  first  session  of  the  China  Actuarial  Working 
Committee  and  the  Secretary-general  of  both  the  first  and  the  second  sessions  of  the  China 
Association  of  Actuaries.  He  is  currently  an  Executive  Director  of  the  China  Association  of 
Actuaries and a Special Executive of the Board of Directors of the Insurance Institute of China.

Mr. Yang Zheng, born in 1970, Chinese
Mr. Yang became the Vice President of the Company in November 2014. He became the Chief 
Financial  Officer  of  the  Company  in  April  2013.  He  served  as  the  Qualified  Accountant  of 
the  Company  since  2006,  and  as  Assistant  to  the  General  Manager,  Deputy  General  Manager 
and  General  Manager  of  the  Finance  Department  of  the  Company  since  2005.  Mr.  Yang 
has  been  a  Director  of  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited  since  2009  and  a 
Director  of  Sino-Ocean  Land  Holdings  Limited  since  2011  and  a  Director  of  China  Life 
Franklin  Asset  Management  Co.,  Limited  since  2014.  From  2000  to  2005,  Mr.  Yang  was  the 
Senior  Financial  Analyst  of  MOLEX  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Yang  graduated  from  Beijing 
University  of  Technology  in  1993  with  a  Bachelor’s  degree  in  Engineering.  He  obtained  a 
MBA  from  Northeastern  University  in  the  United  States  in  2000.  Mr.  Yang  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants  (AICPA)  and  the  Association  of  Chartered 
Certified  Accountants  (ACCA).  He  is  currently  a  member  of  the  eighth  session  of  the  Board 
of  the  Accounting  Society  of  China,  a  member  of  the  National  Accounting  Informatization 
and  Standardization  Technical  Committee,  the  China  Insurance  Solvency  Regulatory  Standard 
Committee  and  the  China  Accounting  Standards  Committee  of  the  Ministry  of  Finance  of  the 
PRC, respectively.

65

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

Mr. Zheng Yong, born in 1962, Chinese
Mr.  Zheng  became  the  Board  Secretary  of  the  Company  in  June  2013.  He  previously  held 
positions as department head at the Ministry of Justice of the PRC, a practicing lawyer at Beijing 
Longan  Law  Firm,  China  Legal  Service  Ltd.  (Hong  Kong),  and  Beijing  DeHeng  Law  Offices, 
Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Department  of  Legal  Affairs,  Company  Secretary,  and  General 
Manager  of  the  Legal  and  Compliance  Department  of  the  Company,  and  an  Executive  Director 
and  Deputy  President  of  China  Guangfa  Bank  Co.,  Ltd.  Mr.  Zheng  received  his  LL.B.  degree 
from  Peking  University,  and  LL.M.  degrees  from  the  China  University  of  Political  Science  and 
Law  and  University  of  Essex  (UK).  Mr.  Zheng  was  a  visiting  researcher  at  Harvard  Law  School 
and Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States from August 1996 to October 
1997. Mr. Zheng currently serves as an arbitrator of the China International Economic and Trade 
Arbitration Commission, and is a Senior Economist.

Ms. Huang Xiumei, born in 1967, Chinese
Ms.  Huang  Xiumei  became  the  Financial  Controller  of  the  Company  in  December  2014.  She 
has been the General Manager of the Company’s Fujian Branch since October 2011. From 2005 
to  2011,  she  held  various  positions  at  the  Company’s  Fujian  Branch,  including  Assistant  to  the 
General Manager,  Deputy  General Manager  and Deputy General Manager (responsible for  daily 
operations).  From  1999  to  2005,  she  held  various  positions  at  the  Company’s  Fujian  Branch, 
including  the  Deputy  Director  and  Manager  of  the  Financial  and  Accounting  Department  and 
Manager  of  the  Financial  Department.  Ms.  Huang  was  also  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of 
the  Company’s  Fuzhou  Branch  from  2004  to  2005.  Ms.  Huang  graduated  from  Fujian  Banking 
School in 1985, majoring in Insurance, and graduated from Fuzhou University in 2005, majoring 
in Accounting. Ms. Huang is a senior certified public accountant.

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mr. Heng Victor Ja Wei, born in 1977, British
Mr.  Heng  is  the  managing  partner  of  Morison  Heng,  Certified  Public  Accountants.  Mr.  Heng 
holds  a  Master  of  Science  degree  of  the  Imperial  College  of  Science,  Technology  and  Medicine, 
the University of London. Mr. Heng is a member of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants  and  a  fellow  of  The  Association  of  Chartered  Certified  Accountants.  Mr.  Heng  has 
over  10  years  of  experience  in  accounting  and  auditing  for  private  and  public  companies  and 
financial consultancy. Mr. Heng serves as an Independent Non-executive Director of China Fire 
Safety  Enterprise  Group  Limited,  Lee  &  Man  Chemical  Company  Limited,  Matrix  Holdings 
Limited and Lee & Man Handbags Holding Limited, all of which are listed on the main board of 
the HKSE.

66

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

II   POSITIONS  HELD  BY  CURRENT  DIRECTORS,  SUPERVISORS  AND  SENIOR 

MANAGEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

Name
Yang Mingsheng

Name of shareholders
China Life Insurance (Group) Company

Position
Chairman

Term
Since March 2012

Miao Jianmin

China Life Insurance (Group) Company

Vice Chairman, President

Since October 2013

Zhang Xiangxian

China Life Insurance (Group) Company

Vice President

Since August 2008

Wang Sidong

China Life Insurance (Group) Company

Vice President

Since June 2004

Whether receiving 
remuneration and 
allowance from 
shareholders
No

Yes

Yes

Yes

III  CORE TECHNICAL TEAM OR KEY PERSONNEL

The  Company’s  key  personnel  comprise  those  who  have  in-depth  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  life 
insurance  market  in  China,  including  members  of  the  Company’s  senior  management,  qualified  underwriting 
personnel, actuaries and experienced investment managers. During the Reporting Period, there was no movement 
of these personnel which may have material impacts on the Company.

IV  EMPLOYEES

1.  Employees

Number of employees of the Company 
Number of employees of the Company’s major subsidiaries 
Employees in total 
Resigned and retired employees of the Company and its major subsidiaries 

for which extra costs have to be incurred

101,972
1,151
103,123
1

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the composition of the Company’s employees is as follows:

(1)   Structure of Expertise

Class of Expertise 

Management and administration 
Sales and sales management 
Finance and auditing 
Insurance verification, claim processing and customer services 
Other expertise and technicians 
Others 

Total 

Number of Employees

22,304
34,783
6,287
31,291
3,838
4,620

103,123

67

 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

(2) 

Education Level

Education Level 

Master or above 
Bachelor 
College Diploma 
Secondary School 
Others 

Total 

Chart of the Structure of Expertise

4%

4%

22%

30%

6%

34%

Chart of the Education Level

6%

3%

3%

Number of Employees

3,166
51,874
39,110
3,347
5,626

103,123

Management and administration

Sales and sales management

Finance and auditing

Insurance verification, claim processing and customer services

Other expertise and technicians

Others

Master or above

Bachelor

College Diploma

Secondary School

38%

Others

50%

68

 
 
Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

2.  Remuneration Policy

The  Company  has  established  a  remuneration  and  incentive  system  with  reference  to  employee’s  positions, 
the Company’s performance and market conditions.

3.   Training Plans

Adhering  to  the  talent  philosophy  of  “people-oriented  and  both  capability  and  integrity  being  equally 
important”,  the  Company  has  been  striving  hard  to  achieve  the  mutual  development  of  its  own  and  its 
employees.  In  2014,  the  Company  organized  employees’  trainings  with  the  view  to  implementing  the 
“strategy  of  innovation-driven  growth”  in  great  depth.  While  further  solidifying  the  achievements  of  its 
education  and  training  system  and  continuously  optimizing  the  framework  of  its  training  system,  the 
Company  has  also  organized  diversified  training  courses  based  on  a  multi-layer,  multi-class  and  multi-
category  structure,  with  a  particular  focus  on  the  core  areas  of  business  management  of  the  Company  and 
the  development  needs  of  the  employees.  The  annual  training  plan  places  an  emphasis  on  improving  the 
skills required for employees’ discharge of their various duties and responsibilities, strengthening the training 
and  intellectual  support  for  key  personnel  of  the  Company,  including  senior  and  mid-level  management 
teams,  sales  management  team,  operation  management  team  and  skilled  personnel,  and  highlighting  the 
practical  and  targeted  features  of  various  training  programs,  thus  enabling  the  Company’s  education  and 
training programs to continuously provide intellectual support and bring synergistic effect to the Company’s 
management  value  chain.  Through  the  implementation  of  a  series  of  targeted  training  programs  with 
prominent  themes  and  clear  directions,  the  Company’s  education  and  training  departments  at  all  levels 
effectively  promoted  relevant  work  of  the  Company  in  business  development,  team  building,  cultural 
cultivation, service improvement, efficiency optimization and risk prevention in 2014.

69

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

OVERVIEW OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The  Company  implements  good  corporate  governance  policies  and  strongly  believes  that  through  fostering  sound 
corporate  governance,  further  enhancing  its  transparency  and  establishing  effective  system  of  accountability,  the 
Company can operate in a more systematic manner, make decisions in a more scientific way, and boost the confidence of 
investors.

Shareholders’
General Meeting 

Board

Supervisory
Committee

Audit Committee 

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee 

Risk 
Management 
Committee  

Strategy and
Investment Decision
Committee  

(Corporate Governance Structure Chart)

Board Secretary 
Board Secretariat/Company Secretary 

With the establishment of a corporate governance system with reasonably designed structure, well-developed mechanism, 
strict  rules  and  regulations,  as  well  as  high  efficiency  in  operation  as  its  core  objectives,  the  Company  continues  to 
promote  development  of  its  corporate  governance  framework,  strictly  perform  its  obligation  of  information  disclosure, 
enhance its transparency and actively serve the interest of public investors so as to enhance its image and position in the 
capital market.

1. 

2. 

The  Company  has  set  up  a  corporate  governance  structure  with  well-defined  duties  and  responsibilities  strictly 
in  accordance  with  relevant  laws,  regulations  and  regulatory  requirements,  including  the  Company  Law  and  the 
Securities  Law  of  the  PRC.  The  corporate  governance  structure  of  the  Company  generally  meets  the  regulatory 
requirements of its listed jurisdictions. The Company has carried out its corporate governance procedures strictly 
in  accordance  with  relevant  laws,  regulations  and  regulatory  requirements,  including  the  Company  Law  and 
the  Securities  Law  of  the  PRC,  as  well  as  the  requirements  of  its  Articles  of  Association  and  procedural  rules. 
Shareholders’ general meetings, Board meetings and Supervisory Committee meetings of the Company have been 
functioning independently and coordinately.

In accordance with the requirements of its listed jurisdictions and relevant provisions of its Articles of Association, 
the Company has continuously improved the decision-making mechanism of the Board. The Board is accountable 
to  shareholders  of  the  Company  with  respect  to  the  assets  and  resources  entrusted  to  it  by  the  shareholders,  and 
performs its duties on corporate governance. All members of the Board have taken the initiative to look into the 
Company’s affairs and have had a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s businesses. They have devoted 
sufficient  time  in  performing  their  duties  as  Directors  with  due  care  and  in  a  diligent  and  efficient  manner.  By 
setting  up  mechanisms  including  regular  reporting  of  business  development  strategy  and  marketing  tactics,  the 
management of the Company can periodically report the business operation, development strategies and marketing 
tactics to the Board, which provides a basis for the decision-making of the Board.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

The  Company  has  actively  promoted  the  establishment  of  corporate  governance,  continuously  improved  its 
corporate  governance  structure  and  enhanced  its  scientific  decision-making  ability.  In  order  to  improve  the 
decision-making  efficiency  of  the  specialized  Board  committees,  the  Board  has  established  four  specialized  Board 
committees,  i.e.  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee,  the  Risk  Management 
Committee,  and  the  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee.  These  specialized  Board  committees  conduct 
studies on specific matters, hold meetings on both regular and ad-hoc basis, communicate with the management, 
provide advice and recommendations for the Board’s consideration, and deal with matters entrusted or authorized 
by the Board, for the purpose of improving the Board’s efficiency and capabilities.

The  Supervisory  Committee  of  the  Company  has  carried  out  its  work  and  performed  its  duties  in  accordance 
with  the  Articles  of  Association  and  the  Procedural  Rules  for  Supervisory  Committee  Meetings.  Members 
of  the  Supervisory  Committee  attended  the  shareholders’  general  meetings  and  the  Supervisory  Committee 
meetings,  participated  in  the  Board  meetings  and  the  meetings  of  the  specialized  Board  committees  based  on 
their  work  allocation,  and  conducted  investigations  on  local  branches  to  have  an  in-depth  understanding  of  the 
implementation of the decisions made by the Board, so as to diligently perform their supervisory role.

The  Company  has  carried  out  the  procedures  relating  to  the  resignation  and  appointment  of  Directors  and 
Supervisors in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Pursuant to the relevant requirements of national 
policies,  Mr.  Sun  Changji  and  Mr.  Tang  Jianbang,  both  of  whom  were  Independent  Directors,  and  Mr.  Luo 
Zhongmin,  an  External  Supervisor,  resigned  from  their  respective  positions  in  the  Board  and  the  Supervisory 
Committee.  Mr.  Wan  Feng  and  Ms.  Liu  Yingqi,  both  of  whom  were  Directors,  resigned  from  their  respective 
positions  in  the  Board  due  to  adjustment  of  work  arrangements.  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan,  Mr.  Miao  Ping,  Mr.  Chang 
Tso  Tung  Stephen,  and  Mr.  Huang  Yiping  were  elected  as  new  Directors,  while  Ms.  Xiong  Junhong  was  elected 
as a new Supervisor, both at shareholders’ general meetings of the Company. The Company has complied with the 
governance-related rules and regulations and strictly carried out all of the above governance procedures.

The  Company  has  made  information  disclosure  in  a  timely,  open  and  transparent  manner  pursuant  to  the 
requirements  of  the  listing  rules  of  its  listed  jurisdictions.  The  Company  has  continuously  improved  its 
management  of  investor  relations  and  enhanced  its  communication  with  investors  in  both  form  and  substance, 
thus  ensuring  that  all  shareholders  enjoy  equal  rights  and  have  access  to  information  about  the  Company  in  an 
open, fair, true and accurate manner.

The Board and Supervisory Committee of the Company conducted extensive investigation and research activities. 
Members  of  the  Board  carried  out  investigation  and  research  on  Beijing  Audit  Center  and  local  branches  of  the 
Company  in  Hubei  Province,  conducted  inspection  of  the  operation  and  development  of  local  branches,  their 
mid-  or  long-term  work  plans  and  internal  audits.  Members  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  subsequently  carried 
out investigation and research on local branches of the Company in Guizhou Province, Hubei Province and Gansu 
Province, as well as the supervisory committee of China Minsheng Bank, and listened to the report on the special 
topic of risk control and the presentation sharing the experience of the establishment of supervisory committee.

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Corporate Governance

8.  Directors and Supervisors of the Company actively attended various training courses. All Directors and Supervisors 
attended  the  annual  special  training  courses  taught  by  external  lawyers,  auditors  and  experts  that  covered 
the  regulatory  rules  governing  the  listed  companies  in  Hong  Kong,  development  trend  of  international  risk 
management, and director liability risks and protection, etc. They also attended training courses relating to anti-
money  laundering  pursuant  to  regulatory  requirements.  Directors  and  Supervisors  have  referred  to  the  relevant 
materials  prepared  by  the  Company  on  a  regular  basis  and  listened  to  the  reports  on  special  topics.  Some  of  the 
Supervisors attended the “Advanced Study Course on the Regulation of Listed Companies and Enterprises Outside 
China” organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries in Hong Kong.

SHAREHOLDERS’ GENERAL MEETING
The  shareholders’  general  meeting,  as  an  organ  of  highest  authority  of  the  Company,  exercises  its  duties  and  functions 
in  accordance  with  relevant  laws.  Its  duties  and  powers  include  the  election,  appointment  and  removal  of  Directors 
and  Non  Employee  Representative  Supervisors,  review  and  approval  of  the  reports  of  the  Board  and  the  Supervisory 
Committee,  review  and  approval  of  the  annual  budget  and  final  accounts  of  the  Company,  and  any  other  matters 
required  by  the  Articles  of  Association  to  be  approved  by  way  of  resolution  of  the  shareholders’  general  meeting. 
The  Company  ensures  that  all  shareholders  are  equally  treated  so  as  to  ensure  that  the  rights  of  all  shareholders  are 
protected, including the right of access to information in relation to, and the right to vote in respect of, major matters 
of  the  Company.  The  Company  has  the  ability  to  operate  and  manage  its  business  autonomously,  and  is  separate  and 
independent from its controlling shareholder in its business operations, personnel, assets and financial matters.

1. 

Shareholders’ general meetings convened during the Reporting Period are as follows:

Session of the meeting 

Date of the meeting 

Index for websites on which  
resolutions were published 

Date of publication 
of resolutions

2013 Annual General Meeting 

29 May 2014 

First Extraordinary General  
  Meeting 2014 

18 August 2014 

Second Extraordinary General  
  Meeting 2014 

29 December 2014 

http://www.sse.com.cn 
http://www.hkexnews.hk
http://www.e-chinalife.com 
http://www.sse.com.cn 
http://www.hkexnews.hk
http://www.e-chinalife.com
http://www.sse.com.cn 
http://www.hkexnews.hk
http://www.e-chinalife.com

30 May 2014

19 August 2014

30 December 2014

15  proposals  including:  the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  for 
the  Year  2013”,  the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Report  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  of  the  Company  for  the 
Year 2013”, the “Proposal in relation to the Financial Report of the Company for the Year 2013”, the “Proposal 
in  relation  to  the  Profit  Distribution  Plan  of  the  Company  for  the  Year  2013”,  the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the 
Remuneration of Directors and Supervisors of the Company”, and the “Proposal in relation to the Remuneration 
of  Auditors  of  the  Company  for  the  Year  2014”,  etc.  were  considered  and  approved  by  a  combination  of  on-site 
and  online  ballots,  and  the  “Duty  Report  of  the  Independent  Directors  of  the  Fourth  Session  of  the  Board  of 
Directors of the Company for the Year 2013” and the “Report on the Status of Connected Transactions and the 
Execution of Connected Transactions Management System of the Company for the Year 2013” were received and 
reviewed at the 2013 Annual General Meeting held in Beijing on 29 May 2014.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Corporate Governance

Four  proposals  were  considered  and  approved  by  a  combination  of  on-site  and  online  ballots  at  the  First 
Extraordinary  General  Meeting  2014  held  in  Beijing  on  18  August  2014,  including:  the  “Proposal  in  relation 
to the Election of Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen as an Independent Director of the Fourth Session of the Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Election  of  Ms.  Xiong  Junhong  as  a  Shareholder 
Representative Supervisor of the Fourth Session of the Supervisory Committee of the Company”, the “Proposal in 
relation to the Amendments to the ‘Precedural Rules for the Supervisory Committee Meeting’”, and the “Proposal 
in relation to the Election of Mr. Huang Yiping as an Independent Director of the Fourth Session of the Board of 
Directors of the Company”.

The  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Entrusted  Investment  and  Management  Agreement  for  Alternative  Investments 
with  Insurance  Funds  between  the  Company  and  China  Life  Investment  Holding  Company  Limited”  was 
considered  and  approved  by  a  combination  of  on-site  and  online  ballots  at  the  Second  Extraordinary  General 
Meeting 2014 held in Beijing on 29 December 2014.

2.   Attendance records of Directors at the shareholders’ general meetings convened during the Reporting Period:

Number of 
shareholders’ 

general meetings   Number of   Number of   Number of 
the Director was  
required to attend  
during the year 

meetings  
meetings  
physically   attended by  
telephony 
attended 

meetings   Number of 
attended  
by proxies 

meetings   Attendance 
rate

absent 

3 
3 
2 
2 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
1 

1 

2 
3 
0 
2 
2 
2 
2 
1 
2 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

1 
0 
2 
0 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 

1 

67%
100%
0
100%
67%
67%
67%
33%
67%
0

0

Name of Director 

Type of Director 

Yang Mingsheng 
Lin Dairen 
Su HengxuanNote 1 
Miao PingNote 2 
Miao Jianmin 
Zhang Xiangxian 
Wang Sidong 
Bruce Douglas Moore 
Anthony Francis Neoh 
Chang Tso Tung  
  StephenNote 3
Huang YipingNote 4 

Notes:

Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 

Independent Director 

1.  Mr. Su Hengxuan has been an Executive Director of the Company and a member of the Strategy and Investment Decision 

Committee since 1 July 2014;

2.  Mr. Miao Ping has been an Executive Director of the Company and a member of the Risk Management Committee since 

1 July 2014;

3.  Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen has been an Independent Director of the Company and a member of the Audit Committee 

and the Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee since 20 October 2014;

4.  Mr.  Huang  Yiping  has  been  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  and  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  the 

Chairman of the Strategic and Investment Decision Committee since 20 October 2014.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

BOARD
The Board is the standing decision-making body of the Company and its main duties include the following: performing 
the  function  of  corporate  governance  of  the  Company,  convening  shareholders’  general  meetings,  implementing 
resolutions passed at such meetings, improving the Company’s corporate governance policies, approving the Company’s 
development  strategies  and  operation  plans,  formulating  and  supervising  the  Company’s  financial  policies,  annual 
budgets  and  financial  reports,  providing  an  objective  evaluation  on  the  Company’s  operating  results  in  its  financial 
reports and other disclosure documents, dealing with senior management personnel matters, arranging for Directors and 
senior  management  to  attend  various  training  courses,  attaching  importance  to  the  enhancement  of  their  professional 
quality, reviewing the compliance policies of the Company, and assessing the internal control systems of the Company. 
The  day-to-day  management  and  operation  of  the  Company  are  delegated  to  the  management.  The  responsibilities  of 
Non-executive  Directors  and  Independent  Directors  include,  without  limitation,  regularly  attending  meetings  of  the 
Board  and  the  specialized  Board  committees  of  which  they  are  members,  providing  opinions  at  meetings  of  the  Board 
and  the  specialized  Board  committees,  resolving  any  potential  conflict  of  interest,  serving  on  the  Audit  Committee, 
Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  and  other  specialized  Board  committees,  and  inspecting,  supervising  and 
reporting  on  the  performance  of  the  Company.  The  Board  is  accountable  to  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  and 
reports to them.

Currently,  the  Board  comprised  11  members,  including  4  Executive  Directors,  3  Non-executive  Directors  and 
4  Independent  Directors.  The  number  of  Independent  Directors  complies  with  the  minimum  requirement  of  3 
Independent Directors and the requirement that at least one-third of the Board be represented by Independent Directors 
under the Listing Rules of the HKSE. All members of the Board have devoted sufficient time in dealing with the affairs 
of the Board and attended the relevant training courses organized by regulatory authorities and the Company according 
to  regulatory  requirements.  They  have  referred  to  regulatory  documents  on  a  regular  basis  so  as  to  keep  themselves 
informed of the regulatory development in a timely manner. The Company has purchased director’s liability insurances 
for its Directors, which provide protection to Directors for liabilities that might arise in the course of their performance 
of  duties  according  to  law  and  facilitate  Directors  to  fully  perform  their  duties.  So  far  as  the  Company  is  aware,  no 
financial,  business,  family  or  other  material  relationship  exists  among  Board  members,  members  of  the  Supervisory 
Committee or senior management (including between the Chairman, Mr. Yang Mingsheng and the President, Mr. Lin 
Dairen).

In 2014, all Directors attended the annual special training courses taught by external lawyers, auditors and experts that 
covered  the  regulatory  rules  governing  the  listed  companies  in  Hong  Kong,  development  trend  of  international  risk 
management, and director liability risks and protection, etc. They also attended training courses relating to anti-money 
laundering  pursuant  to  regulatory  requirements.  All  directors  of  the  Company  have  referred  to  the  relevant  materials 
prepared  by  the  Company  on  a  regular  basis  and  listened  to  the  reports  on  special  topics.  Under  the  arrangement  of 
regulatory  authorities,  the  Board  Secretary  attended  training  courses  organized  by  the  Beijing  Securities  Regulatory 
Bureau and the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries in Hong Kong.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

In 2014, all Independent Directors of the Company possessed extensive experience in various fields, such as economics, 
insurance,  management,  finance  and  accounting.  The  Company  also  complies  with  the  requirement  of  the  Listing 
Rules  of  the  HKSE  that  at  least  one  of  its  Independent  Directors  has  appropriate  professional  qualifications  or 
accounting  qualifications  or  related  financial  management  expertise.  As  required  under  the  Listing  Rules  of  the  SSE 
and the HKSE, the Company has obtained a written confirmation from each of its Independent Directors in respect of 
their  independence,  and  the  Company  is  of  the  opinion  that  all  of  the  Independent  Directors  are  independent  of  the 
Company and strictly perform their duties as Independent Directors. Pursuant to the Articles of Association, Directors 
shall  be  elected  at  the  shareholders’  general  meeting  for  a  term  of  three  years  and  may  be  re-elected  on  expiry  of  the 
three-year term. However, Independent Directors may not serve for more than six years.

Meetings of the Board are held both on a regular and an ad-hoc basis. Regular meetings are convened at least four times 
a year for the examination and approval of proposals, such as annual report, interim report, quarterly reports and related 
financial  reports,  and  major  business  operations  of  the  year.  Meetings  are  convened  by  the  Chairman  and  a  notice  is 
given  to  all  Directors  14  days  before  such  meetings.  Agendas  and  related  documents  are  sent  to  the  Directors  at  least 
three days prior to such meetings. In 2014, all notices, agendas and related documents in respect of such regular Board 
meetings were sent in compliance with the above requirements. By fully reviewing all the relevant proposals, the Board 
has confirmed that the information contained in its periodic reports and financial reports is true, accurate and complete 
and contains no false representations, misleading statements or material omissions, and no event or situation was found 
which would have material adverse impacts on the Company’s ongoing operation.

Regular Board meetings are held mainly to review the quarterly, interim and annual reports of the Company and to deal 
with other related matters. The practice of obtaining Board consent through the circulation of written resolutions does 
not constitute a regular Board meeting. An ad-hoc Board meeting may be convened in urgent situations if requisitioned 
by any of the following: shareholders representing over one-tenth of voting shares, Directors constituting more than one-
third of the total number of Directors, the Supervisory Committee, more than 2 Independent Directors, the Chairman 
or the President. If the resolution to be considered at such ad-hoc Board meetings has been circulated to all the Directors 
and more than half of the Directors having voting rights approve such resolution by signing the resolution in writing, the 
Board meeting need not be convened and such resolution in writing shall become an effective resolution.

If  a  Director  is  materially  interested  in  a  matter  to  be  considered  by  the  Board,  the  Director  having  such  conflict  of 
interest shall have no voting rights on the matter to be considered and shall not be counted in the quorum for the Board 
meeting.

All  Directors  shall  have  access  to  the  advice  and  services  of  the  Board  Secretary  and  the  Company  Secretary.  Detailed 
minutes  of  Board  meetings  regarding  matters  considered  by  the  Board  and  decisions  reached,  including  any  concerns 
raised  by  Directors  or  dissenting  views  expressed,  are  kept  by  the  Board  Secretary.  Minutes  of  Board  meetings  are 
available upon reasonable notice for inspection and comment upon by any Director.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

1.  Meetings and attendance

In 2014, 7 Board meetings were held by the fourth session of the Board, of which 6 were physical meetings and 1 
was combined physical and telephony meeting. The attendance records of individual Directors are as follows:

Number of  
meetings the  
Director was  
required to  
attend during  
the year 

Number of  
meetings  
physically  
attended 

Number of  
meetings  
attended by  
telephony 

Number of  
meetings  
attended  
by proxies 

Number of  
meetings  
absent 

  Whether the 
  Director failed 
to attend two 
consecutive 
meetings 
in person

Attendance  
rate 

7 
7 
3 
3 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
2 
2 

7 
7 
3 
3 
3 
6 
6 
6 
6 
2 
2 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 Note 4 
1 Note 5 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
4 Note 1 
1 Note 2 
1 Note 3 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
43% 
86% 
86% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No

Name of Director 

Type of Director 

Yang Mingsheng 
Lin Dairen 
Su Hengxuan 
Miao Ping 
Miao Jianmin 
Zhang Xiangxian 
Wang Sidong 
Bruce Douglas Moore 
Anthony Francis Neoh 
Chang Tso Tung Stephen 
Huang Yiping 

Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 

Notes:

1. 

At  the  twelfth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  25  March  2014,  Mr.  Miao  Jianmin  gave  written 

authorization  for  Mr.  Zhang  Xiangxian  to  act  as  his  proxy  to  attend  and  vote  at  the  meeting;  at  the  fourteenth  meeting 

of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  29  May  2014,  Mr.  Miao  Jianmin  gave  written  authorization  for  Mr.  Zhang 

Xiangxian to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting; at the sixteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board 

held on 27 August 2014, Mr. Miao Jianmin gave written authorization for Mr. Lin Dairen to act as his proxy to attend 

and  vote  at  the  meeting;  at  the  seventeenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  28  October  2014,  Mr. 

Miao Jianmin gave written authorization for Mr. Zhang Xiangxian to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting;

2. 

At the sixteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board held on 27 August 2014, Mr. Zhang Xiangxian gave written 

authorization for Mr. Wang Sidong to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting;

3. 

At  the  thirteenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  25  April  2014,  Mr.  Wang  Sidong  gave  written 

authorization for Mr. Miao Jianmin to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting;

4. 

At the fifteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board held on 30 June 2014, Mr. Bruce Douglas Moore attended the 

meeting by way of telephony;

5. 

At the fifteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board held on 30 June 2014, Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh attended the 

meeting by way of telephony.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

From the end of year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date (i.e. 24 March 2015), 1 Board meeting was held by 
the Board. The attendance records of individual Directors are as follows:

Number of  
meetings the  
Director was  
required to  
attend during  
the year 

Number of  
meetings  
physically  
attended 

Number of  
meetings  
attended by  
telephony 

Number of  
meetings  
attended  
by proxies 

Number of  
meetings  
absent 

  Whether the 
  Director failed 
to attend two 
consecutive 
meetings 
in person

Attendance  
rate 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
0 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
1 Note 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
0 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

Name of Director 

Type of Director 

Yang Mingsheng 
Lin Dairen 
Su Hengxuan 
Miao Ping 
Miao Jianmin 
Zhang Xiangxian 
Wang Sidong 
Bruce Douglas Moore 
Anthony Francis Neoh 
Chang Tso Tung Stephen 
Huang Yiping 

Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 
Independent Director 

Note:  At  the  nineteenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  24  March  2015,  Mr.  Miao  Jianmin  gave  written 

authorization for Mr. Zhang Xiangxian to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting.

In 2014, the attendance records of the resigned Directors are as follows:

Name of Director 

General Meeting 

Wan Feng Note 1 
Liu Yingqi Note 2 
Sun Changji Note 3 
Tang Jianbang Note 4 

0/1 
– 
0/2 
1/2 

  Nomination and  
Remuneration  
Committee  
Meeting 

Audit  
Committee  
Meeting 

Risk  
Management  
Committee  
Meeting 

– 
– 
2/3 
3/3 

– 
– 
4/4 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

Board  
Meeting 

2/4 
– 
3/5 
5/5 

Strategy and 
Investment 
Decision 
Committee 
Meeting

2/3
–
–
4/4

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

Notes:

1.  Mr. Wan Feng was re-designated from an Executive Director of the Company to a Non-executive Director on 25 March 

2014, and ceased to be a Non-executive Director of the Company and a member of the Strategy and Investment Decision 

Committee on 5 August 2014. At the fourteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board held on 29 May 2014, Mr. 

Wan Feng gave written authorization for Mr. Wang Sidong to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting; at the 

fifteenth  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  30  June  2014,  Mr.  Wan  Feng  gave  written  authorization 

for Mr. Miao Jianmin to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting; at the eleventh meeting of the Strategy and 

Investment  Decision  Committee  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  29  May  2014,  Mr.  Wan  Feng  gave  written 

authorization for Mr. Wang Sidong to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting;

2.  Ms. Liu Yingqi ceased to be an Executive Director of the Company and a member of the Risk Management Committee 

on 25 March 2014, and therefore did not attend any meetings of the Board and the Risk Management Committee of the 

Company in 2014;

3.  Mr.  Sun  Changji  ceased  to  be  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company,  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  the 

Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee on 20 October 2014. At the fifteenth meeting of the fourth 

session of the Board held on 30 June 2014, Mr. Sun Changji gave written authorization for Mr. Tang Jianbang to act as 

his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting; at the sixteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Board held on 27 August 

2014,  Mr.  Sun  Changji  gave  written  authorization  for  Mr.  Tang  Jianbang  to  act  as  his  proxy  to  attend  and  vote  at  the 

meeting;  at  the  eleventh  meeting  of  the  Audit  Committee  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  held  on  27  August  2014, 

Mr.  Sun  Changji  gave  written  authorization  for  Mr.  Bruce  Douglas  Moore  to  act  as  his  proxy  to  attend  and  vote  at  the 

meeting; at the seventh meeting of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the fourth session of the Board held 

on 27 August 2014, Mr. Sun Changji attended the meeting by way of telephony;

4.  Mr.  Tang  Jianbang  ceased  to  be  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company,  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee  and  the 

Chairman of the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee on 20 October 2014.

2.  Performance of duties by Independent Directors

In  2014,  all  Independent  Directors  of  the  Company  possessed  extensive  experience  in  various  fields,  such  as 
insurance,  management,  finance  and  accounting,  and  law.  They  satisfied  the  criteria  for  Independent  Directors 
under  the  regulatory  rules  of  the  Company’s  listed  jurisdictions.  The  Independent  Directors  of  the  Company 
performed  their  duties  pursuant  to  the  Articles  of  Association  and  the  provisions  and  requirements  of  the  listing 
rules of the Company’s listed jurisdictions.

All  Independent  Directors  diligently  fulfilled  their  responsibilities  and  faithfully  performed  their  duties  by 
attending  meetings  of  the  Board  and  the  specialized  Board  committees  in  2014,  examining  and  approving 
the  Company’s  business  development,  financial  management  and  connected  transactions,  participating  in  the 
establishment of specialized Board committees, providing professional and constructive advice in respect of major 
decisions  of  the  Company,  seriously  listening  to  the  reports  from  relevant  personnel,  understanding  the  daily 
operation  and  any  possible  operational  risks  of  the  Company  in  a  timely  manner,  and  expressing  their  opinions 
and exercising their functions and powers at Board meetings, thus actively performing their duties as Independent 
Directors  in  an  effective  manner.  At  an  annual  special  meeting  among  the  Chairman,  Non-executive  Directors 
and  Independent  Directors,  all  Independent  Directors  made  recommendations  in  various  aspects,  such  as  the 
development of the global capital market, return on investment and balance of risks, and gave constructive advice 
on corporate governance, team building and marketing method. The Board attached great importance to opinions 
and  advice  from  Independent  Directors,  actively  strengthened  its  communication  with  them  and  adopted  their 

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

advice after careful deliberation and discussion. In 2014, the Company provided various materials to Independent 
Directors,  which  enabled  them  to  comprehend  information  associated  with  the  insurance  industry.  All 
Independent Directors obtained information relating to the operation and management of the Company through 
various channels, which therefore formed the basis of their scientific and prudent decisions.

In  2014,  the  Independent  Directors  of  the  Company  and  the  representatives  from  the  external  auditors  (Ernst 
&  Young  Hua  Ming  LLP  and  Ernst  &  Young)  convened  two  special  meetings  to  separately  discuss  on  matters 
including  the  audit  for  the  year  2013  and  the  annual  financial  reports,  and  listened  to  the  “2014  Annual  Audit 
Plan”, and communicate in respect of the audit work of the Company.

In  2014,  the  Independent  Directors  of  the  Company  conducted  investigation  and  research  on  Beijing  Audit 
Center  and  the  local  branches  of  the  Company  in  Hubei  Province  and  carried  out  on-site  inspections  of  the 
business development and management of the above branches.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  Mr.  Bruce  Douglas  Moore,  an  Independent  Director,  abstained  from  voting  on 
the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Proposed  Participation  in  the  Capital  Increase  of  Sinopec  Marketing  Company 
Ltd.”  due  to  the  facts  that  the  investment  project  was  complicated  and  he  was  not  familiar  with  the  sale  market 
of  refined  oil  in  China.  No  Independent  Director  has  raised  any  objection  against  other  proposals  and  matters 
considered by the Board of the Company.

CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT
During the Reporting Period, Mr. Yang Mingsheng served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. 
The  Chairman  is  the  legal  representative  of  the  Company,  primarily  responsible  for  convening  and  presiding  over 
Board  meetings,  ensuring  the  implementation  of  Board  resolutions,  attending  annual  general  meetings  and  arranging 
attendance by Chairmen of Board committees to answer questions raised by shareholders, signing securities issued by the 
Company and other important documents, providing leadership for the Board to ensure that the Board works effectively 
and performs its responsibilities, encouraging all Directors to make a full and active contribution to the Board’s affairs, 
promoting a culture of openness and debate, convening special meetings with Non-executive Directors and Independent 
Directors,  and  exercising  other  rights  conferred  on  him  by  the  Board.  The  Chairman  is  accountable  to  and  reports  to 
the Board. Mr. Lin Dairen is the President of the Company. The President is responsible for the day-to-day operations 
of  the  Company,  including  implementing  strategies,  policies,  operation  plans  and  investment  schemes  approved  by  the 
Board,  formulating  the  Company’s  internal  management  structure  and  fundamental  management  policies,  drawing  up 
basic  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Company,  submitting  to  the  Board  requests  for  appointment  or  removal  of  senior 
management officers and exercising other rights granted to him under the Articles of Association and by the Board. The 
President is fully accountable to the Board for the operations of the Company.

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the Company Law and the Articles of Association, the Company has established a Supervisory Committee. 
The  Supervisory  Committee  performs  the  following  duties  in  accordance  with  the  Company  Law,  the  Articles  of 
Association  and  the  Procedural  Rules  for  Supervisory  Committee  Meetings:  to  examine  the  finances  of  the  Company; 
to  monitor  whether  the  Directors,  President,  Vice  Presidents  and  other  senior  management  officers  of  the  Company 
have acted in contravention of laws, regulations, the Articles of Association and resolutions of the shareholders’ general 
meetings  when  discharging  their  duties;  to  review  the  financial  information  of  the  Company  such  as  financial  reports, 
results  reports  and  profit  distribution  plans  to  be  approved  by  Board;  to  propose  the  convening  of  extraordinary 
shareholders’ general meetings, to propose resolutions at shareholders’ general meetings and to perform any other duties 
under the laws, regulations and supervisory rules of the Company’s listed jurisdictions.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

The  Supervisory  Committee  consists  of  Non  Employee  Representative  Supervisors,  such  as  shareholder  representatives, 
and Employee Representative Supervisors, of which the Employee Representative Supervisors shall not be less than one-
third of the Supervisory Committee. Non Employee Representative Supervisors, such as shareholder representatives, shall 
be  elected  and  removed  by  a  shareholders’  general  meeting  while  Employee  Representative  Supervisors  shall  be  elected 
and removed by employees of the Company in a democratic manner.

The Supervisory Committee is accountable to the shareholders and reports its work to the shareholders’ general meeting 
according  to  relevant  laws.  It  is  also  responsible  for  appraising  the  Company’s  operations,  financial  reports,  connected 
transactions and internal control, etc.

Meetings of the Supervisory Committee are convened by the Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee. According to 
the  Articles  of  Association,  the  Company  formulated  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  Supervisory  Committee  Meetings”  and 
established  protocols  for  Supervisory  Committee  meetings.  Supervisory  Committee  meetings  are  categorized  as  regular 
or  ad-hoc  meetings  in  accordance  with  the  degree  of  pre-planning  involved.  There  are  at  least  three  regular  meetings 
each year, mainly to adopt and review financial reports and periodical reports, and examine the financial conditions and 
internal control of the Company. Ad-hoc meetings are convened when necessary.

At  present,  the  fourth  session  of  the  Supervisory  Committee  of  the  Company  comprises  Ms.  Xia  Zhihua,  Mr.  Shi 
Xiangming, Ms. Yang Cuilian, Mr. Li Xuejun and Ms. Xiong Junhong, with Ms. Xia Zhihua acting as the Chairperson 
of  the  Supervisory  Committee.  Of  the  members  of  the  Supervisory  Committee,  Ms.  Xia  Zhihua,  Mr.  Shi  Xiangming 
and  Ms.  Xiong  Junhong  are  Non  Employee  Representative  Supervisors,  and  Ms.  Yang  Cuilian  and  Mr.  Li  Xuejun  are 
Employee Representative Supervisors.

1.  Meetings and attendance

In  2014,  6  meetings  were  held  by  the  fourth  session  of  the  Supervisory  Committee.  Attendance  records  of 
individual Supervisors are as follows:

Name of Supervisor 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Xia Zhihua 
Shi Xiangming 
Yang Cuilian 
Li Xuejun 
Xiong Junhong 

Notes:

6/6 
6/6 
6/6 
5/6 Note 1 
2/2 

100%
100%
100%
83%
100%

1. 

At the fourteenth meeting of the fourth session of the Supervisory Committee held on 28 October 2014, Mr. Li Xuejun 

gave written authorization for Mr. Shi Xiangming to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the meeting;

2.  Mr. Luo Zhongmin ceased to be a Supervisor of the Company on 29 May 2014. In 2014, Mr. Luo Zhongmin attended 

the tenth and eleventh meetings of the fourth session of the Supervisory Committee of the Company with an attendance 

rate of 100%.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

From the end of the year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Supervisory Committee convened 1 meeting. 
Attendance records of individual Supervisors are as follows:

Name of Supervisor 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Xia Zhihua 
Shi Xiangming 
Yang Cuilian 
Li Xuejun 
Xiong Junhong 

1/1 
1/1 
1/1 
1/1 
1/1 

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

2.  The  Supervisory  Committee  had  no  objection  in  respect  of  any  matters  under  its  supervision 

during the Reporting Period.

3.  Activities of the Supervisory Committee during the Reporting Period

For the work done by the Supervisory Committee during the Reporting Period, please refer to the “Report of the 
Supervisory Committee” in this annual report.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
The  Company  established  its  Audit  Committee  on  30  June  2003.  In  2014,  the  Audit  Committee  comprised  only 
Independent Directors of the Company. At present, the Audit Committee of the fourth session of the Board comprises 
Mr.  Bruce  Douglas  Moore,  Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen,  and  Mr.  Huang  Yiping,  with  Mr.  Bruce  Douglas  Moore 
acting as the Chairman.

All  members  of  the  Audit  Committee  have  extensive  experience  in  financial  matters.  Mr.  Bruce  Douglas  Moore  is  the 
financial  expert  of  the  Audit  Committee.  The  principal  duties  of  the  Audit  Committee  are  to  review  and  supervise 
the  preparation  of  the  Company’s  financial  reports,  assess  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  system, 
supervise the Company’s internal audit system and its implementation, and recommend the engagement or replacement 
of  external  auditors.  The  Audit  Committee  is  also  responsible  for  communications  between  the  internal  and  external 
auditors and the establishment of the internal reporting mechanism of the Company.

1.  Meetings and attendance

In 2014, 4 meetings were held by the Audit Committee of the fourth session of the Board. Attendance records of 
individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Bruce Douglas Moore 

Chang Tso Tung Stephen 

Huang Yiping 

Independent Director, Chairman of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board

4/4 

1/1 

1/1 

100%

100%

100%

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

From the end of the year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Audit Committee of the fourth session of the 
Board convened 1 meeting. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Bruce Douglas Moore 

Chang Tso Tung Stephen 

Huang Yiping 

Independent Director, Chairman of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Audit  
Committee of the fourth session of the Board

1/1 

1/1 

1/1 

100%

100%

100%

2.   Performance of duties by the Audit Committee

(1)  Reviewing  and  approving  the  “Proposal  on  the  2013  Financial  Report  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  on 
the  Financial  Report  of  the  Company  for  the  First  Quarter  of  2014”,  the  “Proposal  on  the  2014  Interim 
Report of the Company” and the “Proposal on the Financial Report of the Company for the Third Quarter 
of  2014”.  The  Audit  Committee  was  of  the  view  that  the  financial  reports  of  the  Company  reflected  the 
overall situation of the Company in a true, accurate and complete manner, and gave its written opinion in 
this regard.

(2)  Reviewing and approving the “Proposal in relation to the Appointment of Auditors of the Company for the 
Year 2014”; listening to the “Report on the Audit Plan of 2013”, the “Report on the Results of Agreed-upon 
Procedures Performed in relation to the First Quarter of 2014”, the “Report on the 2014 Interim Review” 
and  the  “Report  on  the  Results  of  Agreed-upon  Procedures  Performed  in  relation  to  the  Third  Quarter  of 
2014” from the external auditors.

(3)  Examining  the  internal  audit  functions  of  the  Company;  reviewing  and  approving  proposals  including  the 
“Proposal  on  the  2013  Internal  Audit  Summary  and  the  2014  Internal  Audit  Work  Plan  and  Budget  of 
Costs  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  on  the  Audit  on  the  Senior  Management  of  the  Company”  and  the 
“Proposal on the Internal Audit Summary for the First Half of 2014 and the Internal Audit Work Plan for 
the  Second  Half  of  2014”,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  communication  between  the  Company’s  internal  audit 
department and the independent auditors.

(4)  Monitoring  the  Company’s  internal  control  function;  reviewing  and  approving  the  “Proposal  concerning 
the 2013 Internal Control Assessments of the Company” and the “Proposal concerning the 2014 Work Plan 
of Internal Control Assessment of the Company” pursuant to Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act; 
listening to the “Report on the Improvement of the Issues Identified by Ernst & Young in the First Round 
of Internal Control Audit in 2014”.

(5)  Reviewing  and  approving  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  Compliance  Report  of  the  Company  for  2013”, 
the  “Proposal  concerning  the  2013  Audit  Report  of  Connected  Transactions  of  the  Company”  and  the 
“Proposal  concerning  the  Compliance  Report  of  the  Company  for  the  First  Half  of  2014”  pursuant  to 
the  relevant  requirements  of  the  CIRC  and  the  SSE;  reviewing  the  proposals  on  connected  transactions, 
including  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  Amendment  to  the  Framework  Agreement  of  Daily  Connected 
Transactions between the Company and China Guangfa Bank Co., Ltd.”, the “Proposal on Requesting the 
Shareholders’  General  Meeting  to  Review  the  Capital  Injection  by  the  Company  to  China  Life  Property 
&  Casualty  Insurance  Company  Limited”,  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  Execution  of  the  Framework 

82

 
 
 
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Agreement  of  Daily  Connected  Transactions  between  the  Company  and  its  non-wholly  owned  subsidiary 
China  Life  Pension  Company  Limited  and  China  Life  AMP  Asset  Management  Co.,  Ltd.”,  the  “Proposal 
concerning  the  Execution  of  the  Framework  Agreement  of  Daily  Connected  Transactions  between  China 
Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  and  its  non-wholly  owned  subsidiary  China  Life  Property  &  Casualty 
Insurance  Company  Limited  and  China  Life  AMP  Asset  Management  Co.,  Ltd.”  and  the  “Proposal 
concerning  the  Execution  of  the  Entrusted  Investment  and  Management  Agreement  for  Alternative 
Investments  with  Insurance  Funds  between  the  Company  and  China  Life  Investment  Holding  Company 
Limited”;  reviewing  the  report  on  the  list  of  connected  parties  of  the  Company  and  submitting  a  report 
relating thereto to the Board and the Supervisory Committee.

(6)  Conducting  investigation  and  research  on  Beijing  Audit  Center  in  May  2014  to  have  an  in-depth 
understanding  of  the  situation  of  such  audit  center  since  its  inception  in  2013,  such  as  its  work,  long-
term work planning, and the 2014 work plan and off-site audit. Through the investigation and research, all 
members of the Audit Committee highly appraised the work conducted by Beijing Audit Center, and offered 
supports for the better performance of duties of the Audit Committee.

NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The  Company  established  the  Management  Training  and  Remuneration  Committee  on  30  June  2003.  On  16 
March  2006,  the  Board  resolved  to  change  the  name  of  the  Management  Training  and  Remuneration  Committee  to 
the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee,  with  a  majority  of  Independent  Directors  on  the  committee.  The 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee is mainly responsible for reviewing the structure of the Board, its number of 
members and composition and drawing up plans for the appointment, succession and appraisal criteria of Directors and 
senior management. The committee is also responsible for formulating training and remuneration policies for the senior 
management of the Company.

At present, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the fourth session of the Board comprises Mr. Chang Tso 
Tung Stephen and Mr. Bruce Douglas Moore, both of whom are Independent Directors, and Mr. Miao Jianmin, a Non-
executive Director, with Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen acting as the Chairman.

The  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee,  as  an  advisor  to  the  Board  on  the  nomination  of  Directors,  shall 
first discuss and agree on the list of candidates to be nominated as new Directors, following which such candidates are 
recommended to the Board. The Board shall then determine whether such candidates’ appointments should be proposed 
for approval at the shareholders’ general meeting. The major criteria considered by the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee and the Board are educational background, management and research experience in the insurance industry, 
and the candidates’ commitment to the Company. As to the nomination of Independent Directors, the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee will give special consideration to the independence of the relevant candidates.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee determines, with delegated responsibility, the remuneration packages of 
all Executive Directors and senior management officers. The fixed salary of the Executive Directors and other members 
of  senior  management  are  determined  in  accordance  with  market  levels  and  their  respective  positions,  and  the  amount 
of  their  performance-related  bonuses  is  determined  according  to  the  results  of  performance  appraisals.  Directors’  fees 
and the volume of share appreciation rights to be granted are determined with reference to market levels and the actual 
circumstances of the Company.

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Corporate Governance

1.  Meetings and attendance

In  2014,  5  meetings  were  held  by  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  of  the  fourth  session  of  the 
Board. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Chang Tso Tung Stephen 

Bruce Douglas Moore 

Miao Jianmin 

Independent Director, Chairman of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board 

1/1 

100%

5/5 Note 

100%

5/5 

100%

Note:  At the sixth meeting of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the fourth session of the Board held on 30 June 

2014, Mr. Bruce Douglas Moore attended the meeting by way of telephony.

From the end of the year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
of the fourth session of the Board convened 1 meeting. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Chang Tso Tung Stephen 

Bruce Douglas Moore 

Miao Jianmin 

Independent Director, Chairman of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board

1/1 

1/1 

1/1 

100%

100%

100%

2.  Performance of duties by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee

In  2014,  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  performed  its  relevant  duties  and  functions  strictly 
in  accordance  with  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  Meetings”.  In  2014, 
the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  convened  five  meetings,  reviewed  and  approved  the  “Proposal 
concerning  the  2013  Remuneration  Management  Report  of  the  Company”,  and  the  “Proposal  in  relation 
to  the  2013  Performance  Appraisal  Result  and  the  Contract  of  2014  Performance  of  the  Company’s  Senior 
Management”,  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  Remuneration  of  Directors  and  Supervisors  of  the  Company”  and 
the “Proposal concerning the Remuneration of Senior Management of the Company”; reviewed and approved the 
proposals in relation to the nomination of candidates of Executive Directors and Independent Directors, and the 
appointment of the President, Vice Presidents and Chief Financial Officer.

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In  accordance  with  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  Meetings”  and  the 
“Board  Diversity  Policy”,  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  carefully  reviewed  the  structure 
of  the  Board,  its  number  of  members  and  composition,  fully  reviewed  the  professional  qualifications  and 
industrial  background  of  the  Director  candidates  and  the  members  of  the  specialized  Board  committees,  and  the 
independence  of  the  Independent  Directors  while  taking  into  consideration  of  various  factors  such  as  business 
development  management,  strategic  investment  decisions,  and  corporate  governance  management  and  control, 
carefully examined and determined the remuneration packages of all Executive Directors and senior management 
officers, approved the terms of service contracts between the Company and each of the Executive Directors, Non-
executive  Directors  and  Independent  Directors  and  pushed  forward  the  signing  of  service  contracts  between  the 
Company  and  all  Directors,  defined  the  rights,  obligations  and  remunerations  of  Directors,  and  appraised  the 
performance of Directors in the discharge of their duties.

RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The  Company  established  its  Risk  Management  Committee  on  30  June  2003.  The  Risk  Management  Committee  is 
mainly  responsible  for  formulating  the  Company’s  system  of  risk  control  benchmarks,  assisting  the  management  in 
establishing and improving the Company’s internal control system, formulating the operational risk management policy 
of  the  Company,  reviewing  the  assessment  reports  in  relation  to  the  Company’s  operational  risk  and  internal  control, 
and coordinating the handling of sudden and significant risks or crises.

At present, the Risk Management Committee of the fourth session of the Board comprises Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh, 
an Independent Director, Mr. Zhang Xiangxian, a Non-executive Director, and Mr. Miao Ping, an Executive Director, 
with Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh acting as the Chairman of the committee.

1.  Meetings and attendance

In 2014, 3 meetings were held by the Risk Management Committee of the fourth session of the Board. Attendance 
records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Anthony Francis Neoh 

Zhang Xiangxian 

Miao Ping 

Independent Director, Chairman of the  
Risk Management Committee of the 
fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of the  
Risk Management Committee of the 
fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of the  
Risk Management Committee of the 
fourth session of the Board

3/3 

3/3 

1/1 

100%

100%

100%

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Corporate Governance

From the end of the year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Risk Management Committee of the fourth 
session of the Board convened 1 meeting. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Anthony Francis Neoh 

Zhang Xiangxian 

Miao Ping 

Independent Director, Chairman of  
the Risk Management Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of  
the Risk Management Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of  
the Risk Management Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board

1/1 

1/1 

1/1 

100%

100%

100%

2.  Performance of duties by the Risk Management Committee

In  2014,  the  Risk  Management  Committee  performed  its  duties  and  functions  in  strict  compliance  with  the 
“Procedural  Rules  for  Risk  Management  Committee  Meetings”.  In  2014,  the  Risk  Management  Committee 
convened  three  meetings,  reviewed  and  approved  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  2013  Work  Summary  of 
Anti-money  Laundering  and  the  2014  Work  Plan  Report  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  concerning  the 
2013  Comprehensive  Risk  Management  Report  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  2014  Risk 
Preference  Statement  of  the  Company”  and  the  “Proposal  concerning  the  Amendments  to  the  Comprehensive 
Risk  Management  Provisions  of  the  Company”;  listened  to  the  “Report  on  the  Work  of  Risk  Preference  and 
the  Thoughts  of  2015  Comprehensive  Risk  Management  Work  of  the  Company”;  participated  in  the  Audit 
Committee meetings to listen to the “Proposal concerning the 2013 Compliance Report of the Company” and the 
“Proposal concerning the 2013 Internal Control Assessment of the Company”.

STRATEGY AND INVESTMENT DECISION COMMITTEE
The  Company  established  the  Strategy  Committee  on  30  June  2003.  In  October  2010,  the  proposal  to  establish  the 
Strategy and Investment Decision Committee on the basis of the Strategy Committee was reviewed and approved at the 
ninth meeting of the third session of the Board. The Strategy and Investment Decision Committee is mainly responsible 
for the drawing-up of long-term development strategies and significant investment or financing plans of the Company, 
proposing  significant  projects  of  capital  operation  and  assets  management,  and  conducting  studies  and  making 
recommendations on other important matters affecting the development of the Company.

At  present,  the  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Board  comprises  Mr.  Huang 
Yiping, an Independent Director, Mr. Wang Sidong, a Non-executive Director, Mr. Lin Dairen, an Executive Director, 
Mr.  Anthony  Francis  Neoh,  an  Independent  Director  and  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan,  an  Executive  Director,  with  Mr.  Huang 
Yiping acting as the Chairman.

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Corporate Governance

1.  Meetings and attendance

In  2014,  6  meetings  were  held  by  the  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee  of  the  fourth  session  of  the 
Board. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Huang Yiping 

Wang Sidong 

Lin Dairen 

Anthony Francis Neoh 

Su Hengxuan 

Independent Director, Chairman of  
the Strategy and Investment Decision 
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of  
the Strategy and Investment Decision 
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board

2/2 

100%

5/6 Note 

83%

6/6 

6/6 

3/3 

100%

100%

100%

Note:  At the tenth meeting of the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee of the fourth session of the Board held on 25 

April 2014, Mr. Wang Sidong gave written authorization for Mr. Wan Feng to act as his proxy to attend and vote at the 

meeting.

From the end of the year 2014 up to the Latest Practicable Date, the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee 
of the fourth session of the Board convened 1 meeting. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member 

Position 

Number of meetings attended 

Attendance rate

Huang Yiping 

Wang Sidong 

Lin Dairen 

Anthony Francis Neoh 

Su Hengxuan 

Independent Director, Chairman of  
the Strategy and Investment Decision 
Committee of the fourth session of the Board
Non-executive Director, member of the  
Strategy and Investment Decision Committee 
of the fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Independent Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board
Executive Director, member of the Strategy  
and Investment Decision Committee of 
the fourth session of the Board

87

1/1 

100%

0/1 Note 1 

0/1 Note 2 

1/1 

1/1 

0

0

100%

100%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

Notes:

1.  

At the fifteenth meeting of the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee of the fourth session of the Board held on 

24 March 2015, Mr. Wang Sidong gave written authorization for Mr. Anthony Francis Neoh to act as his proxy to attend 

and vote at the meeting.

2.  

At the fifteenth meeting of the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee of the fourth session of the Board held on 

24 March 2015, Mr. Lin Dairen gave written authorization for Mr. Su Hengxuan to act as his proxy to attend and vote at 

the meeting.

2.   Performance of duties by the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee

In 2014, the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee performed its duties and functions in strict compliance 
with  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee  Meetings”.  In  2014,  the  Strategy 
and Investment Decision Committee held six meetings reviewed and approved the proposals in relation to annual 
investment plans, authorization of investments, new investment businesses, agreements and guidances for domestic 
and  international  entrusted  investment  management  and  major  investment  projects,  and  listened  to  reports, 
such  as  the  report  on  the  solvency  and  capital  planning  of  the  Company  for  the  next  five  years  and  the  annual 
assessment report for the “Twelfth Five-year Plan”.

Based  on  its  work  needs,  the  Strategy  and  Investment  Decision  Committee  conducted  investigation  and  research 
in  Hubei  Province  in  April  2014,  discussed  with  the  management  of  the  Company’s  branches  at  provincial,  city 
and  county  levels,  listened  to  the  reports  from  branch  offices  with  respect  to  the  basic  situations  including  their 
business development, risk prevention and payments on maturities, and conducted on-site inspection of “95519” 
call  center  and  the  service  counters  of  local  companies  in  counties.  Through  the  investigation  and  research,  all 
Directors  had  an  in-depth  understanding  of  the  implementation  by  local  companies  of  strategic  decisions  of  the 
Board and gave their guiding opinions in respect thereof.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMPANY FROM ITS CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER
Employees:  The  Company  is  independent  in  the  aspects  of  employment,  human  resources  and  remuneration 
management.

Assets:  The  Company  owns  all  assets  relating  to  the  operation  of  its  principal  business.  At  present,  the  Company  does 
not provide any guarantee for its shareholders. The Company’s assets are independent, complete, and independent of the 
shareholders of the Company and other related parties.

Finance: The Company has established a separate financial department, and an independent financial accounting system 
and  financial  management  system;  further,  the  Company  makes  financial  decisions  on  its  own;  it  employs  separate 
financial personnel, opens separate accounts with banks and does not share bank accounts with CLIC; the Company, as a 
separate taxpayer, pays taxes individually according to law.

Organization: The Company has established a well-developed organizational system, under which internal bodies such as 
the Board and the Supervisory Committee operate separately. There is no subordinate relationship between such internal 
bodies and the functional departments of the Company’s controlling shareholder.

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Business  operations:  The  Company  independently  develops  personal  insurance  businesses,  including  life  insurance, 
health insurance and accident insurance businesses, reinsurance relating to the above insurance businesses, use of funds 
permitted  by  applicable  PRC  laws  and  regulations  or  the  State  Council,  as  well  as  its  all  types  of  personal  insurance 
services,  consulting  business  and  agency  business,  and  other  businesses  permitted  by  insurance  administrative  and 
regulatory  authorities  of  the  PRC.  The  Company  currently  possesses  the  “Insurance  Company  Legal  Person  Permit” 
(Number:  000005)  issued  by  the  CIRC.  The  Company  is  independently  engaged  in  the  businesses  as  prescribed  in  its 
business scope according to law, has separate sales and agency channels and is licensed to use licensed trademarks without 
consideration. The completeness and independence of the Company’s business operations will not be adversely affected 
by its relationship with related parties.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND INCENTIVES FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The  Company  implements  a  term-of-service  and  target-related  responsibility  system  for  senior  management.  At  the 
beginning of each year, a performance target contract will be entered into between the Chairman and the President, the 
President and the Vice Presidents, and the President’s Office and the senior management of branches of the Company. 
The  performance  target  contract  system  is  an  important  tool  in  disassembling  the  strategic  goals  of  the  Company  in  a 
scientific  manner,  which  is  conducive  towards  the  breakdown  of  targets  and  transmission  of  responsibility,  enhancing 
the implementation capacity of the Company and ensuring the successful completion of its annual business targets. The 
performance  appraisal  criteria  listed  in  the  individual  performance  target  contracts  of  senior  management  are  partially 
linked to the business targets of the Company and partially formulated with reference to the duties and functions of their 
respective positions.

The  remuneration  for  senior  management  comprises  basic  salary,  performance  compensation,  welfare  benefits  and 
medium and long term incentives.

SHAREHOLDERS’ INTERESTS
To  safeguard  shareholders’  interests,  in  addition  to  the  right  to  participate  in  the  Company’s  affairs  by  attending 
shareholders’  general  meetings,  shareholders  have  the  right  to  convene  extraordinary  shareholders’  general  meetings 
under certain circumstances.

If the number of Directors is less than the number stipulated in the Company Law or two-thirds of the number specified 
by the Articles of Association, or the uncovered losses incurred amount to one-third of the Company’s total share capital, 
or  if  the  Board  or  the  Supervisory  Committee  deems  necessary,  or  more  than  half  of  the  Directors  (including  at  least 
two Independent Directors) requests, or shareholders holding 10% or more shares of the Company make a requisition, 
the Board shall convene an extraordinary shareholders’ general meeting within two months. Where shareholders holding 
10%  or  more  shares  request  an  extraordinary  shareholders’  general  meeting,  such  shareholders  shall  make  a  request  in 
writing  to  the  Board  with  a  clear  agenda.  The  Board  shall,  upon  receipt  of  such  a  written  request,  convene  a  meeting 
as  soon  as  possible.  If  the  Board  fails  to  convene  a  meeting  within  30  days  of  the  receipt  of  such  a  written  request, 
shareholders  making  such  a  request  may  convene  a  meeting  by  themselves  at  the  cost  of  the  Company  within  four 
months of the receipt by the Board of such a written request.

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In  accordance  with  the  Articles  of  Association,  when  the  Company  convenes  the  shareholders’  general  meeting, 
shareholders  individually  or  in  aggregate  holding  3%  or  more  of  the  shares  of  the  Company  shall  have  the  right  to 
submit proposals to the Company. The Company should include such matters that fall into the scope of the functions 
and powers of the shareholders’ general meeting in the agenda of the meeting. Shareholders individually or in aggregate 
holding 3% or more of the shares of the Company may submit provisional proposals in writing to the convenor sixteen 
days prior to the shareholders’ general meeting. The provisional proposals shall fall into the scope of the functions and 
powers of the shareholders’ general meeting and specify explicit topics and specific resolution matters.

Shareholders  may  put  forward  enquiries  to  the  Board  through  the  Company  Secretary  or  the  Board  Secretary,  or  put 
forward proposals at shareholders’ general meetings through their proxies. The Company has made available its contact 
details in its correspondence with shareholders to enable such enquiries or proposals to be properly directed.

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND INVESTOR RELATIONS
The  Company  has  established  a  well-developed  and  practical  information  disclosure  system  in  strict  compliance  with 
the laws and regulatory rules of its listed jurisdictions and continued to improve the quality of its information disclosure 
so as to ensure that domestic and overseas investors obtain true, accurate and complete information. The Company has 
proactively  developed  investor  relations  and  strengthened  its  contact  and  communication  with  domestic  and  overseas 
investors  through  innovative  work  models,  which  enabled  domestic  and  overseas  investors  to  understand  the  business 
operations of the Company in a timely manner.

In  2014,  the  Company  continued  to  strengthen  the  construction  of  its  information  disclosure  system  and  implement 
the  regulatory  requirements  relating  to  information  disclosure  in  a  practical  manner:  in  accordance  with  the  regulatory 
requirements  of  the  CSRC  and  the  Beijing  Securities  Regulatory  Bureau  with  respect  to  the  system  of  registration 
and  administration  of  persons  of  the  Company  who  have  knowledge  of  inside  information,  the  Company  strictly  and 
consistently implemented the “Measures for the Administration of Persons Who Have Knowledge of Inside Information” 
to  ensure  the  standardization  of  its  workflow  for  the  management  of  inside  information.  The  Company  strictly 
implemented the registration and filing procedures of persons who have knowledge of inside information and conducted 
a self-examination over the implementation of the “Measures for the Administration of Persons Who Have Knowledge of 
Inside Information” in 2014, thereby further improving its information disclosure system.

In 2014, the Company continued to promote the innovation of its periodic reports. The Company fully considered the 
needs  of  its  shareholders  and  investors  on  information,  actively  studied  and  improved  the  method  of  disclosure  of  key 
information, and extended the scope and depth of information disclosure so as to enable the shareholders and investors 
to  have  a  deeper  understanding  of  the  development  strategies  and  business  operations  of  the  Company,  thus  further 
enhancing the quality of information disclosure of periodic reports. The Company disclosed important announcements 
in  relation  to  its  financial  results  with  initiative  and  prudence,  which  ensured  the  shareholders  and  investors  to  obtain 
timely and accurate information. The Company regularly organized training courses relating to information disclosure, 
carried  out  timely  study  and  promotion  of  new  regulatory  rules  of  its  listed  jurisdictions,  explained  the  key  points 
and  difficulties  of  information  disclosure,  strengthened  its  internal  information  exchange,  continuously  improved 
its  workflow  for  information  disclosure  and  improved  the  quality  of  its  information  disclosure.  Such  substantial  and 
effective  information  disclosure  measures  has  laid  down  a  sound  foundation  for  the  continuous  improvement  of 
information disclosure of the Company.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance

In 2014, the Company continuously improved and strengthened investor relations, which mainly included holding the 
Annual  General  Meeting,  holding  results  release  conferences,  embarking  on  global  non-deal  roadshows,  meeting  and 
holding  conference  calls  with  investors  and  analysts,  attending  investors’  meetings,  organizing  global  open  days  of  the 
Company,  updating  information  on  its  investor  relations  website  in  a  timely  manner,  delivering  investor  newsletters, 
establishing  an  investor  relations  hotline  and  an  exclusive  electronic  mailbox  to  ensure  timely  replies  to  any  enquiries 
made by investors and investment analysts.

In  2014,  the  Company  communicated  with  more  than  3,000  investors  and  analysts  through  different  channels, 
including  the  reception  at  the  Company  of  117  groups  of  investors  and  analysts  consisting  of  over  500  individuals  in 
total, communicating with more than 1,000 investors by participating in 17 investors’ meetings held locally or overseas, 
and  meeting  and  visiting  more  than  230  investors  in  roadshows.  In  addition,  the  Company  kept  in  close  contact  with 
investors’  groups  by  phone  and  email,  communicated  through  more  than  1,500  emails  with  investors’  groups,  and 
answered and replied more than 1,000 calls and emails.

In  2014,  the  Company  was  awarded  the  “Most  Popular  Website  of  Listed  Companies  Among  Investors”  and  the  “Best 
Website of Listed Companies for Information Disclosure”, and Mr. Zheng Yong, the Board Secretary, was awarded the 
“Board  Secretary  of  the  Best  Website  for  Investor  Relations  Management”  in  the  “Sixth  Session  of  the  Election  of  the 
Outstanding  Website  of  Listed  Companies  in  China”  held  by  the  Securities  Times.  In  the  “China  Listed  Companies 
Oversea Summit Forum in 2014 – China Securities Golden Bauhinia Award Festival” held by Hong Kong “Takungpao”, 
the  Company  was  awarded  the  “2014  Best  Listed  Company  for  Investor  Relations  Management”.  In  the  “12th  China’s 
Financial  Annual  Champion  Awards  of  2014”  jointly  organized  by  Hexun.com  and  China  Securities  Market  Research 
and Design Center, the Company was awarded the “2014 Most Reliable Life Insurance Company of the Year”, and Mr. 
Lin Dairen, President of the Company, was awarded the “Annual Influential Person in the Insurance Industry”. In the 
assessment and selection of the “Gold Bull Award for Listed Companies in 2013 ” held by China Securities in 2014, the 
Company was awarded the title of the “Most Profitable Company”. Mr. Zheng Yong, the Board Secretary, was awarded 
the title of the “Best Board Secretary for Information Disclosure” in the “Golden Board Secretary of Listed Companies 
of 2014” held by Shanghai Securities News.

CHANGES OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
With the approval at the 2013 Annual General Meeting held on 29 May 2014, the Company increased the number of 
the Board members as stipulated in the Articles of Association from 11 to 12. The amendment has been approved by the 
CIRC on 1 July 2014. For details of such amendment, please refer to the Supplemental Notice of 2013 Annual General 
Meeting of the Company dated 13 May 2014 and relevant meeting documents.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Internal Control

I. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM
The  Company  has  been  devoting  significant  effort  towards  the  promotion  of  internal  control  and  the 
establishment  of  internal  control  related  systems.  In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  “Standard 
Regulations on Corporate Internal Control”, the “Implementation Guidelines for Corporate Internal Control”, the 
“Guidance on Internal Control for Companies Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange”, the “Rules Governing the 
Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited”, and the “Basic Standards of Internal Control 
for Insurance Companies” issued by the CIRC, the Company has carried out a lot of work on its internal control 
system  establishment,  rules  implementation  and  risk  management  by  strictly  following  its  corporate  governance 
structure. The Company also formulated and issued the “Internal Control Implementation Manual of China Life 
Insurance  Company  Limited  (2014  Edition)”  to  strengthen  the  implementation  of  internal  control  standards 
and  internal  control  assessments,  and  actively  promote  the  culture  and  philosophy  of  internal  control,  thereby 
continuously enhancing the internal control of the Company.

Pursuant to the requirements of the “Notice on the Proper Preparation for Disclosure of 2014 Annual Reports of 
Listed Companies” promulgated by the SSE, the Company shall release an Internal Control Self-assessment Report 
simultaneously  with  the  publication  of  its  2014  annual  report.  The  Company,  as  an  overseas  private  issuer,  was 
required  to  provide  a  specific  assessment  report  on  its  internal  control  system  relating  to  financial  reporting  for 
the  year  ended  31  December  2014  in  its  Form  20-F  (U.S.  Annual  Report)  submitted  to  the  U.S.  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in accordance with Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In accordance 
with the requirements of laws and regulations relating to internal control of the jurisdictions where the Company 
is  listed,  the  Company  has  completed  internal  control  self-assessments  in  relation  to  the  requirements  of  Section 
404  of  the  U.S.  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  and  the  SSE  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  and  confirmed  that  its 
internal  controls  were  effective.  The  Company  had  also  received  from  its  independent  auditors  an  unqualified 
opinion on the effectiveness of its internal control in relation to financial reporting as at 31 December 2014. The 
Company’s  assessment  report  and  the  report  of  its  independent  auditors  will  be  included  as  an  attachment  to  its 
annual report submitted to the SSE and its Form 20-F submitted to the SEC.

It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Board  of  the  Company  to  establish  and  effectively  implement  well-established 
internal  control  systems,  assess  their  effectiveness  and  disclose  the  report  on  the  internal  control  assessment.  The 
Board  and  the  Audit  Committee  are  responsible  for  leading  the  implementation  of  internal  control  measures  of 
the Company, and the Supervisory Committee supervises the internal control assessments performed by the Board. 
The  Company  has  established  Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management  Departments  and  Internal  Control  and 
Compliance Departments in its headquarters and branches. The Company also conducts tests on the management 
level, assesses the effectiveness of the established and implemented internal control systems in accordance with the 
requirements  of  the  PRC  regulations  and  Section  404  of  the  U.S.  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act,  and  reports  to  the  Board, 
the  Audit  Committee  and  the  management.  In  2014,  the  Company  further  improved  its  internal  control  self-
assessment  systems,  with  its  functional  departments  conducting  the  internal  control  self-assessment  by  way  of 
walk-through  test  and  strengthened  its  risk-oriented  assessment  strategy  through  target-specific  assessments  and 
substantive  tests.  The  Company  also  further  enhanced  its  independence  of  internal  control  assessment  through 
cross-examination among its local branches.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Internal Control

In  compliance  with  regulatory  requirements  and  having  considered  the  characteristics  of  its  business  and 
management  requirements,  the  Company  established  and  implemented  a  series  of  internal  control  measures 
and  procedures  with  respect  to  currency  and  funds,  insurance  operations,  external  investments,  physical  assets, 
information  technology,  financial  reporting  and  information  disclosure  to  ensure  the  safety  and  integrity  of  its 
assets,  complied  with  relevant  PRC  laws  and  regulations  and  the  internal  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Company, 
and improved the quality of accounting data.

A  relatively  well-developed  internal  control  system  has  been  established  in  terms  of  team-building,  sales  and 
operations,  and  system  management  for  the  sales  channels  of  products  such  as  individual  insurance,  group 
insurance,  bancassurance,  health  insurance,  rural  insurance  and  e-commerce.  This  internal  control  system 
regulates  the  relevant  authorizations  and  operational  workflows,  and  effectively  adopts  the  measures  to  prevent 
and  manage  risks  relating  to  the  operation  of  exclusive  agents.  The  Company  has  promulgated  clear  regulations 
for  the  workflows  and  authorizations  relating  to  the  verification  of  insurance  policies,  insurance  claims,  and  the 
safe  custody  of  documents.  The  Company  has  also  formulated  business  operation  standards  and  service  quality 
standards, developed systems of business, document and file management, and further regulated the management 
of business approval authority to strengthen its control over business risk and improve the quality of its services.

The  Company  has  formulated  and  issued  the  “Accounting  System  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited” 
and  the  “Accounting  Practices  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited”  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  laws 
and regulations, such as the “Accounting Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the “Enterprise Accounting 
Standards”.  The  accounting  units  of  the  Company  at  all  levels  have  implemented  them  in  strict  compliance 
with  the  requirements  of  the  accounting  system  and  various  basic  systems  to  regulate  works  relating  to  financial 
accounting and preparation of financial reports. The accounting units of the Company at all levels have assigned 
positions  in  a  reasonable  manner,  clearly  defined  duties  and  responsibilities  of  such  positions  and  their  scope  of 
authority  on  management,  and  strictly  prohibited  employees  from  serving  incompatible  positions  concurrently, 
thus exercising the control over financial risks in an efficient manner.

The  Company  has  formulated  the  “Provisional  Measures  on  Accountability  System  for  Major  Errors  in  Periodic 
Report Disclosures of China Life Insurance Company Limited”, which was reviewed and approved at the twelfth 
ad-hoc  meeting  of  the  third  session  of  the  Board  held  on  15  March  2011.  These  Provisional  Measures  set  forth 
provisions  governing  the  basic  responsibilities  of  periodic  report  disclosures,  the  major  errors  in  periodic  report 
disclosures and the responsibility attribution. As of 31 December 2014, there has been no major error in periodic 
report disclosures of the Company.

The  Company  established  transparent  and  standardized  investment  decision-making  procedures  and  procedural 
rules to ensure the safe use of insurance funds. The Company has set up an Investment Decisions Committee with 
its  own  procedural  rules.  Any  investment  plans  of  the  Company  could  only  be  implemented  after  obtaining  the 
approval from the Investment Decisions Committee, which ensures that all investment decisions are in compliance 
with  the  requirements  of  PRC  laws,  regulations  and  administrative  rules,  and  are  proper  taking  into  account  the 
balance between assets and liabilities of the Company.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Internal Control

The  Company  has  established  a  comprehensive  information  technology  system  and  formed  a  closed-loop 
mechanism  focusing  on  centralized  review  and  publication,  periodic  inspection  and  continuous  improvement. 
Further,  the  Company  has  promoted  the  construction  of  an  information  safety  system,  and  formulated  and 
implemented  a  series  of  effective  internal  control  measures  in  the  course  of  system  development  and  testing  and 
day-to-day  operation  and  management,  thereby  strengthening  the  information  safety  control  and  improving  the 
information safety management of the Company.

The Internal Control and Risk Management Department, Audit Department, and Supervision Department of the 
Company are responsible for overseeing the implementation of its internal control policies. The Internal Control 
and Risk Management Department identifies issues in the areas of system design, control implementation and risk 
management in a timely manner through the adoption of various measures such as walk-through test, control test 
and risk analysis. It also eliminates loopholes, guards against risks and reduces losses by adopting various measures 
to  improve  systems,  enhance  legal  compliance  and  pursue  responsible  persons.  Adhering  to  the  risk-oriented 
principle,  in  addition  to  the  routine  audits,  the  Audit  Department  has  carried  out  a  variety  of  ad-hoc  audits, 
covering  short-term  health  insurance,  policy-based  medical  and  social  security  supplemental  medical  insurance, 
costs  in  relation  to  business  promotion  and  education  and  training,  information  system  security,  connected 
transactions,  rectification  of  internal  control  deficiencies  and  subsequent  audit.  These  routine  and  ad-hoc  audits 
enabled  the  Company  to  identify  potential  risks  in  a  timely  manner  and  promote  the  business  operation  of  the 
Company  in  compliance  with  applicable  laws  and  regulations  through  improving  the  supervision  and  remedial 
mechanisms,  strengthening  the  implementation  of  rectification  measures  and  enhancing  the  application  of  audit 
results.  The  Company  has  formulated  regulations  with  respect  to  the  reporting,  investigation,  handling  of  and 
responsibility attribution for cases involving any violations of laws, disciplinary rules and regulations by employees, 
each  being  implemented  by  the  Supervision  Department,  which  ensures  that  cases  involving  any  violations  of 
laws,  disciplinary  rules  and  regulations  by  employees  are  handled  in  a  timely  manner,  and  the  persons  involved 
will  be  attributed  proper  responsibility.  In  September  2014,  the  Company  dismissed  the  Sales  Supervision 
Department,  the  management  functions  and  responsibilities  of  which  were  given  to  other  relevant  departments 
of  the  Company,  including  the  management  functions  and  responsibilities  with  respect  to  any  cases  involving 
insurance  agents  (which  specifically  refer  to  judicial  cases)  being  assigned  to  the  Supervision  Department.  The 
Supervision Department reports and manages the responsibility attribution of the cases involving insurance agents 
in accordance with regulations such as the “Notice on the Establishment of a Reporting System of Judicial Cases 
involving Insurance Industry” and internal policies such as the “Implementing Rules for Responsibility Attribution 
of Cases”, and will constantly optimize the relevant internal policies pursuant to the standards for administration 
of  cases  of  insurance  institutions  to  be  promulgated  by  the  competent  authorities  in  charge  of  supervision  of  the 
insurance industry.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Internal Control

II.  RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company established a 5-tier organizational structure with the ultimate responsibility assumed by the Board, 
under  the  direct  leadership  of  the  management,  having  reliance  on  the  risk  management  departments  and  with 
the close cooperation among the relevant functional departments. The first tier is the corporate governance level, 
including the Board, the Supervisory Committee and the Risk Management Committee and the Audit Committee 
under the Board. The second tier is the headquarter level. The President’s Office of the Company has set up the 
Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management  Committee,  under  which  several  functional  departments,  such  as  the 
Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management  Department,  the  Legal  and  Compliance  Department,  the  Supervision 
Department,  the  Audit  Department,  and  the  departments  in  charge  of  finance  and  business  administration,  are 
established. The third tier is the provincial branches level. The General Manager’s Office of the Company has set 
up  the  Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management  Committee,  under  which  several  functional  departments,  such  as 
the Internal Control and Compliance Department, the Supervision Department, and the departments in charge of 
finance  and  business  administration,  are  established.  The  fourth  tier  is  the  local  or  city  branches  level,  including 
Supervision  (Legal  and  Compliance)  Departments  and  related  functional  departments.  The  fifth  tier  is  the 
county  sub-branches  level,  the  persons  responsible  for  internal  control  and  risk  management  of  which  have  been 
determined. By establishing the organizational structure of risk control, the Company has gradually established a 
criss-cross  network  of  risk  control  system,  with  the  risk  management  departments  at  all  levels  as  leading  bodies, 
the  relevant  functional  departments  as  main  bodies,  the  vertical  decision-making  control  system  and  horizontal 
interactive  collaboration  mechanism  as  supporting  systems  and  the  comprehensive  risk  management  as  focus, 
thus  laying  a  strong  foundation  for  the  Company  to  achieve  a  comprehensive  risk  management  system  with  full 
coverage, all-employee participation and effective workflows.

In  2014,  the  Company  continued  to  implement  the  “Guidelines  for  the  Implementation  of  Comprehensive  Risk 
Management  of  Personal  Insurance  Companies”  issued  by  the  CIRC  so  as  to  further  promote  the  establishment 
of  a  comprehensive  risk  management  system  for  the  Company,  and  strengthen  the  downward  transmission 
mechanism  for  the  system  of  risk  preference  in  order  to  change  its  risk  supervision  and  control  from  ex  post 
reporting to concurrent monitoring. The Company developed and improved the framework for comprehensive risk 
management, and formulated a plan to establish a risk database with the aim to conducting quantitative assessment 
of risk losses and risk indicators. The Company also continued to strengthen its efforts in risk early-warning and 
risk  classification  management,  and  intensify  its  control  over  key  risk  fields,  thus  forming  a  standardized  and 
systematic early-warning system.

For an analysis and management of the major risk factors of the Company, please refer to Note 4 in the Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements of this annual report.

III.  ACCOUNTABILITY  SYSTEM  FOR  MAJOR  ERRORS  IN  ANNUAL  REPORTS  AND  ITS 

IMPLEMENTATION
The  Company  formulated  the  “Provisional  Measures  on  Accountability  System  for  Major  Errors  in  Periodic 
Report  Disclosures  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited”,  which  were  adopted  throughout  the  Company 
after being examined and approved by the Board in March 2011, and organized the related internal departments 
and personnel to study and implement it. In 2014, there were no incidents of major error in the annual report of 
the Company.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Honors and Awards

“Forbes”

“2014 Forbes Global 2000”, ranking No. 66

“FORTUNE China”

“2014 Top 500 Chinese Enterprises”, ranking 

No. 11

Hexun.com and China Securities Market 
Research and Design Center – the “12th 
China’s Financial Annual Champion 
Awards of 2014”

“2014 Most Reliable Life Insurance Company”

Hong Kong “Takungpao”

“Golden Bauhinia Award – 2014 Best Listed 

Company for Investor Relations Management”

Millward Brown

“2014 BrandZ Top 100 Global Most Valuable 

Brands”, ranking No. 81

“Financial Times” – “2014 Gold Medal 
List of Chinese Financial Institutions”

“2014 Golden Dragon Award – Best Listed 

Insurance Company of the Year”

“21st Century Business Herald” – 
Assessment and Selection of the 21st 
Century Asset Management “Golden-
shell Award” (the 7th Session)

“2014 Golden-shell Award – Best Insurance 
Company for Comprehensive Services”

“National Business Daily” – Assessment 
and Selection of the “Golden Tripod 
Award” (the 5th Session)

“2014 Golden Tripod Award – the Insurance 
Company with the Strongest Comprehensive 
Strength of the Year”

Eastmoney.com – “2014 Eastmoney 
Award”

“2014 Best Insurance Company of the Year”

96

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited
(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited  (the  “Company”) 
and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) set out on pages 98 to 216, which comprise the consolidated and company 
statements of financial position as at 31 December 2014, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and a 
summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  directors  of  the  Company  are  responsible  for  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  that  give  a  true 
and  fair  view  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  and  the  disclosure  requirements  of  the 
Hong  Kong  Companies  Ordinance,  and  for  such  internal  control  as  the  directors  determine  is  necessary  to  enable  the 
preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

AUDITORS’ RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. Our report is 
made solely to you, as a body, in accordance with Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and for no other purpose. We do 
not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing.  Those  standards  require  that  we 
comply  with  ethical  requirements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the 
consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial  statements.  The  procedures  selected  depend  on  the  auditors’  judgement,  including  the  assessment  of  the 
risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those 
risk  assessments,  the  auditors  consider  internal  control  relevant  to  the  entity’s  preparation  of  consolidated  financial 
statements  that  give  a  true  and  fair  view  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are  appropriate  in  the  circumstances, 
but  not  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the  effectiveness  of  the  entity’s  internal  control.  An  audit  also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made 
by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We  believe  that  the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  sufficient  and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis  for  our  audit 
opinion.

OPINION

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and 
of the Group as at 31 December 2014, and of the Group’s profit and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance 
with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  and  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  disclosure 
requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Ernst & Young
Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong
24 March 2015

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2014

ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment properties 
Investments in associates and joint ventures 
Held-to-maturity securities 
Loans 
Term deposits 
Statutory deposits – restricted 
Available-for-sale securities 
Securities at fair value through profit or loss 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Accrued investment income 
Premiums receivable 
Reinsurance assets 
Other assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

As at 31 
December 
2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December
2013
RMB million

25,348 
1,283 
44,390 
517,283 
166,453 
690,156 
6,153 
607,531 
53,052 
11,925 
44,350 
11,166 
1,032 
19,411 
47,034 

23,393
1,329
34,775
503,075
118,626
664,174
6,153
491,527
34,172
8,295
34,717
9,876
1,069
20,430
21,330

Notes 

6 
7 
8 
9.1 
9.2 
9.3 
9.4 
9.5 
9.6 
9.7 
9.8 
11 
12 
13 

Total assets 

2,246,567 

1,972,941

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2014

As at 31 
December 
2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December
2013
RMB million

Notes 

14 
15 

16 
17 

18 

19 
28 

20 

34 
35 

1,603,446 
72,275 
74,745 
2,623 
67,989 
10,890 
46,089 
25,617 
15,850 
20,062 
19,375 
52 
223 

1,494,497
65,087
49,536
–
67,985
–
20,426
23,179
6,305
18,233
4,919
5
184

1,959,236 

1,750,356

28,265 
145,919 
109,937 

28,265
97,029
95,037

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 
Policyholder dividends payable 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
Bonds payable 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Annuity and other insurance balances payable 
Premiums received in advance 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Current income tax liabilities 
Statutory insurance fund 

Total liabilities 

Equity
Share capital 
Reserves 
Retained earnings 

Attributable to equity holders of the Company 

284,121 

220,331

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Total liabilities and equity 

3,210 

2,254

287,331 

222,585

2,246,567 

1,972,941

Approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 24 March 2015.

Yang Mingsheng 

Director 

Lin Dairen

Director

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2014

ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment properties 
Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in associates and joint ventures 
Held-to-maturity securities 
Loans 
Term deposits 
Statutory deposits – restricted 
Available-for-sale securities 
Securities at fair value through profit or loss 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Accrued investment income 
Premiums receivable 
Reinsurance assets 
Other assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

As at 31 
December 
2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December
2013
RMB million

24,792 
1,345 
11,705 
27,044 
516,710 
165,913 
685,471 
5,653 
605,245 
38,822 
11,841 
43,981 
11,166 
1,032 
17,969 
42,984 

22,818
1,394
4,165
23,976
502,517
118,286
662,402
5,653
489,642
34,005
8,266
34,624
9,876
1,069
19,849
20,395

Notes 

6 
7 
38 
8 
9.1 
9.2 
9.3 
9.4 
9.5 
9.6 
9.7 
9.8 
11 
12 
13 

Total assets 

2,211,673 

1,958,937

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2014

As at 31 
December 
2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December
2013
RMB million

Notes 

14 
15 

17 
18 

19 
28 
20 

34 
35 

1,603,446 
72,275 
74,745 
67,989 
44,538 
25,617 
15,850 
19,431 
19,023 
223 

1,494,497
65,087
49,536
67,985
20,058
23,179
6,305
17,690
4,683
184

1,943,137 

1,749,204

28,265 
145,006 
95,265 

28,265
97,205
84,263

268,536 

209,733

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 
Policyholder dividends payable 
Bonds payable 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Annuity and other insurance balances payable 
Premiums received in advance 
Other liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Statutory insurance fund 

Total liabilities 

Equity
Share capital 
Reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Total liabilities and equity 

2,211,673 

1,958,937

Approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 24 March 2015.

Yang Mingsheng 

Director 

Lin Dairen

Director

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2014

REVENUES
Gross written premiums 
Less: premiums ceded to reinsurers 

Net written premiums 
Net change in unearned premium reserves 

Net premiums earned 

Investment income 
Net realised gains and impairment on financial assets 
Net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss 
Other income 

Total revenues 

BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
Insurance benefits and claims expenses
  Life insurance death and other benefits 
  Accident and health claims and claim adjustment expenses 

Increase in insurance contract liabilities 

Investment contract benefits 
Policyholder dividends resulting from participation in profits 
Underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
Finance costs 
Administrative expenses 
Other expenses 
Statutory insurance fund contribution 

Total benefits, claims and expenses 

Share of profit of associates and joint ventures 

Profit before income tax 
Income tax 

Net profit 

Attributable to:
  – Equity holders of the Company 
  – Non-controlling interests 

Notes 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

331,010 
(515) 

330,495 
(390) 

326,290
(556)

325,734
(921)

330,105 

324,813

93,548 
7,120 
5,808 
4,185 

82,816
5,793
137
4,324

440,766 

417,883

(192,659) 
(16,752) 
(105,883) 
(1,958) 
(24,866) 
(27,147) 
(4,726) 
(25,432) 
(4,151) 
(701) 

(193,671)
(11,263)
(107,354)
(1,818)
(18,423)
(25,690)
(4,032)
(24,805)
(3,864)
(637)

(404,275) 

(391,557)

3,911 

3,125

40,402 
(7,888) 

29,451
(4,443)

32,514 

25,008

32,211 
303 

24,765
243

21 
22 
23 

24 
24 
24 
25 

26 

20 

8 

27 
28 

Basic and diluted earnings per share 

30 

RMB1.14 

RMB0.88

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to 
  profit or loss in subsequent periods:
Fair value gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities 
Amount transferred to net profit from other comprehensive income 
Portion of fair value changes on available-for-sale securities 
  attributable to participating policyholders 
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures 
  under the equity method 
Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to 
  profit or loss in subsequent periods 

Other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to 
  profit or loss in subsequent periods 

Note 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

28 

70,342 
(7,120) 

(11,035) 

120 
(13,023) 

(25,135)
(5,793)

2,635

(332)
7,050

39,284 

(21,575)

– 

–

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

39,284 

(21,575)

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

71,798 

3,433

Attributable to:
  – Equity holders of the Company 
  – Non-controlling interests 

71,443 
355 

3,203
230

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Attributable to equity holders 
of the Company 

Non-controlling
interests 

Total

Share  
capital 
RMB million 
(Note 34) 

Reserves 
RMB million 
(Note 35)

Retained
earnings
RMB million 

RMB million 

RMB million

28,265 
– 
– 

112,509 
– 
(21,562) 

80,311 
24,765 
– 

2,016 
243 
(13) 

223,101
25,008
(21,575)

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

(21,562) 

24,765 

230 

3,433

– 
6,082 
– 
– 

– 
(6,082) 
(3,957) 
– 

88 
– 
– 
(80) 

88
–
(3,957)
(80)

6,082 

(10,039) 

8 

(3,949)

As at 1 January 2013 
Net profit 
Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

Transactions with owners
Capital paid in 
Appropriation to reserves (Note 35) 
Dividends paid 
Dividends to non-controlling interests 

Total transactions with owners 

As at 31 December 2013 

28,265 

97,029 

95,037 

2,254 

222,585

As at 1 January 2014 
Net profit 
Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

Transactions with owners
Capital paid in 
Appropriation to reserves (Note 35) 
Dividends paid (Note 32) 
Dividends to non-controlling interests 

Total transactions with owners 

28,265 
– 
– 

97,029 
– 
39,232 

95,037 
32,211 
– 

2,254 
303 
52 

222,585
32,514
39,284

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

39,232 

32,211 

355 

71,798

826 
8,832 
– 
– 

– 
(8,832) 
(8,479) 
– 

9,658 

(17,311) 

692 
– 
– 
(91) 

601 

1,518
–
(8,479)
(91)

(7,052)

As at 31 December 2014 

28,265 

145,919 

109,937 

3,210 

287,331

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

104

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

For the year ended 31 December 2014

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Profit before income tax 

Adjustments for:

Investment income 

  Net realised and unrealised gains and impairment on financial assets 
  Amount of investment cost below the fair value for identifiable 

  net assets of an associate 
Insurance contracts 

  Depreciation and amortisation 
  Foreign exchange losses/(gains) 
  Share of profit of associates and joint ventures 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Securities at fair value through profit or loss 
  Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
  Receivables and payables 

Income tax paid 
Interest received – securities at fair value through profit or loss 
  Dividends received – securities at fair value through profit or loss 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

40,402 

29,451

(93,548) 
(12,928) 

– 
108,955 
2,124 
(268) 
(3,911) 

(13,698) 
9,704 
41,330 
(1,923) 
1,902 
106 

(82,816)
(5,930)

(683)
109,843
2,026
437
(3,125)

(449)
–
23,300
(5,343)
1,002
579

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

78,247 

68,292

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Disposals and maturities:
  Disposals of debt securities 
  Maturities of debt securities 
  Disposals of equity securities 
  Property, plant and equipment 
Purchases:
  Debt securities 
  Equity securities 
  Property, plant and equipment 
Additional capital contribution to associates and joint ventures 
Increase in term deposits, net 
Increase in securities purchased under agreements to resell, net 
Interest received 
Dividends received 
Increase in policy loans, net 

21,242 
22,407 
285,647 
437 

(115,808) 
(312,544) 
(5,048) 
(5,671) 
(25,972) 
(3,630) 
78,903 
4,258 
(13,478) 

20,623
15,244
231,864
159

(122,952)
(223,449)
(3,724)
(2,386)
(23,456)
(7,401)
72,667
2,861
(20,283)

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

(69,257) 

(60,233)

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2014

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to

repurchase, net 

Cash received from borrowings 
Cash repaid to lenders 
Interest paid 
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
Capital injected into a subsidiary by non-controlling interests 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

25,663 
2,881 
(10) 
(4,618) 
(8,479) 
(91) 
1,358 

(48,073)
–
–
(4,083)
(3,957)
(80)
88

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 

16,704 

(56,105)

Foreign exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents 

10 

(76)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

25,704 

(48,122)

Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of the year 

End of the year 

Analysis of balances of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at banks and in hand 
Short-term bank deposits 

21,330 

69,452

47,034 

21,330

45,439 
1,595 

20,036
1,294

The notes on pages 107 to 216 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

For the year ended 31 December 2014

1  ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited  (the  “Company”)  was  established  in  the  People’s  Republic  of  China 
(“China”  or  the  “PRC”)  on  30  June  2003  as  a  joint  stock  company  with  limited  liability  as  part  of  a  group 
restructuring of China Life Insurance (Group) Company (“CLIC”, formerly China Life Insurance Company) and 
its  subsidiaries  (the  “Restructuring”).  The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to 
as  the  “Group”.  The  Group’s  principal  activity  is  the  writing  of  life  insurance  business,  providing  life,  annuity, 
accident and health insurance products in China.

The  Company  is  a  joint  stock  company  incorporated  in  the  PRC  with  limited  liability.  The  address  of  its 
registered  office  is:  16  Financial  Street,  Xicheng  District,  Beijing,  the  PRC.  The  Company  is  listed  on  the  New 
York Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

These consolidated financial statements are presented in millions of Renminbi (“RMB million”) unless otherwise 
stated.  These  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  approved  for  issue  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  24 
March 2015.

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out 
below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

2.1  Basis of preparation

The Group has prepared these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting  Standards  (“IFRSs”),  amendments  to  IFRSs  and  interpretations  issued  by  the  International 
Accounting  Standards  Board  (“IASB”).  These  consolidated  financial  statements  also  comply  with  the 
applicable  disclosure  provisions  of  the  Rules  Governing  the  Listing  of  Securities  on  the  Stock  Exchange  of 
Hong  Kong  Limited  (the  “Listing  Rules”)  and  the  applicable  disclosure  requirements  of  the  Hong  Kong 
Companies  Ordinance  relating  to  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements,  which  for  this 
financial  year  and  the  comparative  period  continue  to  be  those  of  the  predecessor  Companies  Ordinance 
(Cap. 32), in accordance with transitional and saving arrangements for Part 9 of the Hong Kong Companies 
Ordinance  (Cap.  622),  “Accounts  and  Audit”,  which  are  set  out  in  sections  76  to  87  of  Schedule  11  to 
that  Ordinance.  The  Group  has  prepared  the  consolidated  financial  statements  under  the  historical  cost 
convention,  except  for  financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss,  available-for-sale 
securities, insurance contract liabilities and certain property, plant and equipment at deemed cost as part of 
the  Restructuring  process.  The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRSs  requires  the 
use  of  certain  critical  accounting  estimates.  It  also  requires  management  to  exercise  its  judgement  in  the 
process  of  applying  the  Group’s  accounting  policies.  The  areas  involving  a  higher  degree  of  judgement  or 
complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements 
are disclosed in Note 3.

107

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.1 New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  adopted  by  the  Group  for  the  first  time  for 

the financial year beginning 1 January 2014

Standards/Amendments 

Content

IAS 32 Amendment 

IAS 36 Amendment 
IAS 39 Amendment 
IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 

(Revised) Amendments
IFRS 2 Amendment (i)(ii) 
IFRS 3 Amendment (i)(ii) 
IFRS 13 Amendment (i) 
IFRS 1 Amendment (iii) 

Financial Instruments: Presentation – Offsetting Financial Assets and
  Financial Liabilities
Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets
Novation of Derivatives and Continuing of Hedge Accounting
Investment Entities

Definition of Vesting Condition
Accounting for Contingent Consideration in a Business Combination
Short-term Receivables and Payables
Meaning of Effective IFRSs

(i)  These three amendments are included in Annual Improvements 2010-2012 Cycle.

(ii)  These two amendments have been effective from 1 July 2014.

(iii)  The amendment is included in Annual Improvements 2011-2013 Cycle.

IAS  32  Amendment  –  Financial  Instruments:  Presentation  –  Offsetting  Financial  Assets  and  Financial 
Liabilities
The amendment to IAS 32 clarifies the meaning of “currently has a legally enforceable right to set-off” and 
the  criteria  for  non-simultaneous  settlement  mechanisms  of  clearing  houses  to  qualify  for  offsetting.  The 
amendment has no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IAS 36 Amendment – Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets
The  amendment  to  IAS  36  removes  the  unintended  consequences  of  IFRS  13  Fair  Value  Measurement  on 
the disclosures required under IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. In addition, the amendment requires disclosure 
of  the  recoverable  amounts  for  the  assets  or  each  cash-generating  unit  for  which  impairment  loss  has  been 
recognised  or  reversed  during  the  period,  and  expands  the  disclosure  requirements  regarding  the  fair  value 
measurement  for  these  assets  or  units  if  their  recoverable  amounts  are  based  on  fair  value  less  costs  of 
disposal.  The  Group  will  provide  the  required  disclosures  once  an  impairment  loss  for  non-financial  assets 
exists.

108

 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.1  New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  adopted  by  the  Group  for  the  first  time  for 

the financial year beginning 1 January 2014 (continued)

IAS 39 Amendment – Novation of Derivatives and Continuing of Hedge Accounting
The  amendment  to  IAS  39  provides  relief  from  discontinuing  hedge  accounting  when  novation  of  a 
derivative  designated  as  a  hedging  instrument  meets  certain  criteria.  The  amendment  is  not  relevant  to  the 
Group, since the Group has not applied hedge accounting during the current period.

IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 (Revised) Amendments – Investment Entities
These  amendments  provide  an  exception  to  the  consolidation  requirement  for  entities  that  meet  the 
definition  of  an  investment  entity  under  IFRS  10  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  exception  to 
consolidation  requires  investment  entities  to  account  for  subsidiaries  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss. 
These  amendments  are  not  relevant  to  the  Group,  since  the  Group  does  not  qualify  to  be  an  investment 
entity under IFRS 10.

IFRS 2 Amendment – Definition of Vesting Condition
The  amendment  to  IFRS  2  clarifies  various  issues  relating  to  the  definitions  of  performance  condition 
and  service  condition  which  are  vesting  conditions,  including  (i)  a  performance  condition  must  contain  a 
service  condition;  (ii)  a  performance  target  must  be  met  while  the  counterparty  is  rendering  service;  (iii) 
a  performance  target  may  relate  to  the  operations  or  activities  of  an  entity,  or  to  those  of  another  entity 
in  the  same  group;  (iv)  a  performance  condition  may  be  a  market  or  non-market  condition;  and  (v)  if 
the  counterparty,  regardless  of  the  reason,  ceases  to  provide  service  during  the  vesting  period,  the  service 
condition is not satisfied. The amendment has no impact on the Group.

IFRS 3 Amendment – Accounting for Contingent Consideration in a Business Combination
The  amendment  to  IFRS  3  clarifies  that  contingent  consideration  arrangements  arising  from  a  business 
combination that are not classified as equity should be subsequently measured at fair value through profit or 
loss whether or not they fall within the scope of IFRS 9 or IAS 39. The amendment has no impact on the 
Group.

IFRS 13 Amendment – Short-term Receivables and Payables
The  amendment  to  IFRS  13  clarifies  that  short-term  receivables  and  payables  with  no  stated  interest  rates 
can  be  measured  at  invoice  amounts  when  the  effect  of  discounting  is  immaterial.  The  amendment  has  no 
impact on the Group.

IFRS 1 Amendment – Meaning of Effective IFRSs
The  amendment  clarifies  that  an  entity  may  choose  to  apply  either  a  current  standard  or  a  new  standard 
that  is  not  yet  mandatory,  but  permits  early  application,  provided  either  standard  is  applied  consistently 
throughout  the  periods  presented  in  the  entity’s  first  IFRSs  financial  statements.  The  amendment  has  no 
impact on the Group, since the Group is an existing IFRSs preparer.

109

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.2  New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  that  are  not  yet  effective  and  have  not  been 

early adopted by the Group for the financial year beginning 1 January 2014

Standards/Amendments 

Content 

Effective for annual period
beginning on or after

IAS 27 Amendment 
IFRS 10 and IAS 28  
  Amendments 
IFRS 11 Amendment 

IFRS 15 
IFRS 9 

Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements 
Sale or Contribution of Assets between  
  an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture
Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in 

Joint Operations

Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
Financial Instruments 

1 January 2016
1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2017
1 January 2018

IAS 27 Amendment – Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements
The  amendment  to  IAS  27  will  allow  entities  to  use  the  equity  method  to  account  for  investments  in 
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in their separate financial statements. The amendment is effective 
for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016, with early adoption permitted. The amendment is 
not  expected  to  have  any  impact  on  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial  statements  since  the  Group  has  no 
intention to apply the equity method in the separate financial statements.

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or 
Joint Venture
These  amendments  eliminate  the  inconsistency  between  the  requirements  in  IFRS  10  and  those  in  IAS  28 
Investments  in  Associates  and  Joint  Ventures  with  regard  to  dealing  with  the  contribution  or  sale  of  assets 
between  an  investor  and  its  associate  or  joint  venture.  These  amendments  are  effective  for  annual  periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2016, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are not expected to 
have material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 11 Amendment – Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations
The amendment to IFRS 11 requires that a joint operator accounting for the acquisition of an interest in a 
joint  operation,  in  which  the  activity  of  the  joint  operation  constitutes  a  business,  must  apply  the  relevant 
IFRS  3  principles  for  business  combinations  accounting.  The  amendment  also  clarifies  that  a  previously 
held interest in a joint operation is not remeasured on the acquisition of an additional interest in the same 
joint operation while joint control is retained. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on 
or  after  1  January  2016,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  It  is  not  expected  that  the  amendment  would  be 
relevant to the Group, since the Group has no joint operation as at 31 December 2014.

110

 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.2  New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  that  are  not  yet  effective  and  have  not  been 
early adopted by the Group for the financial year beginning 1 January 2014 (continued)

IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS 15 establishes a new five-step model that will apply to revenue arising from contracts with customers. 
Under  IFRS  15,  revenue  is  recognised  at  an  amount  that  reflects  the  consideration  to  which  an  entity 
expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The principles in IFRS 15 
provide  a  more  structured  approach  to  measuring  and  recognising  revenue.  IFRS  15  is  effective  for  annual 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017, with early adoption permitted. IFRS 15 is not applied to the 
insurance contracts and financial instruments, which are the main source of the Group’s revenue.The Group 
is currently assessing the impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments which reflects all phases of 
the  financial  instruments  project  and  replaces  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement 
and  all  previous  versions  of  IFRS  9.  The  standard  introduces  new  requirements  for  classification  and 
measurement,  impairment,  and  hedge  accounting.  IFRS  9  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or 
after  1  January  2018,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  Group  is  currently  assessing  the  impact  on  the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Except  for  those  described  in  Note  2.1.1,  Annual  Improvements  2010-2012  Cycle  and  Annual  Improvements 
2011-2013 Cycle issued in December 2013, and Annual Improvements 2012-2014 Cycle issued in September 
2014  set  out  amendments  to  other  standards.  These  annual  improvements  were  established  to  make  non-
urgent but necessary amendments to IFRSs. No material changes to the accounting policies of the Group are 
expected as a result of these annual improvements.

In  addition,  the  new  Hong  Kong  Companies  Ordinance  (Cap.  622)  will  affect  the  presentation  and 
disclosure of certain information in the consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 December 
2015. The Group is in the process of making an assessment of the impact of these changes.

111

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.2  Consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries 
for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014.  Subsidiaries  are  those  entities  which  are  controlled  by  the  Group 
(including the structured entities controlled by the Group). Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, 
or  has  rights,  to  variable  returns  from  its  involvement  with  the  investee  and  has  the  ability  to  affect  those 
returns  through  its  power  over  the  investee.  Specifically,  the  Group  controls  an  investee  if  and  only  if  the 
Group has:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

power  over  the  investee  (i.e.  existing  rights  that  give  it  the  current  ability  to  direct  the  relevant 
activities of the investee);
exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and
the ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns.

When the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers 
all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

the contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee;
rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and
the Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

The  Group  re-assesses  whether  or  not  it  controls  an  investee  if  facts  and  circumstances  indicate  that  there 
are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the 
Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary.

Profit  or  loss  and  each  component  of  other  comprehensive  income  (“OCI”)  are  attributed  to  the  equity 
holders  of  the  Company  and  to  the  non-controlling  interests,  even  if  this  results  in  the  non-controlling 
interests  having  a  deficit  balance.  When  necessary,  adjustments  are  made  to  the  financial  statements  of 
subsidiaries  to  bring  their  accounting  policies  in  line  with  the  Group’s  accounting  policies.  All  intra-group 
assets  and  liabilities,  equity,  income,  expenses  and  cash  flows  relating  to  transactions  between  members  of 
the Group are eliminated in full upon consolidation.

A  change  in  the  ownership  interest  of  a  subsidiary,  without  a  loss  of  control,  is  accounted  for  as  an  equity 
transaction. If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

Derecognises the assets (including goodwill) and liabilities of the subsidiary;
Derecognises the carrying amount of any non-controlling interests;
Derecognises the cumulative translation differences recorded in equity;
Recognises the fair value of the consideration received;
Recognises the fair value of any investment retained;
Recognises any surplus or deficit in profit or loss; and
Reclassifies the Group’s share of components previously recognised in OCI to profit or loss or retained 
earnings, as appropriate, as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities.

112

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For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.2  Consolidation (continued)

The  Group  uses  the  acquisition  method  of  accounting  to  account  for  business  combinations.  The 
consideration  transferred  for  the  acquisition  of  a  subsidiary  is  the  fair  value  of  the  assets  transferred,  the 
liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the 
fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition-related 
costs  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Identifiable  assets  acquired  and  liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities  assumed 
in a business combination are measured initially at their fair value at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-
by-acquisition basis, the Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or 
at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.

The excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the fair value of any non-controlling interest in 
the acquiree, and the fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the 
fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. If this is less 
than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the case of a bargain purchase, the Group 
re-assesses  whether  it  has  correctly  identified  all  of  the  assets  acquired  and  all  of  the  liabilities  assumed, 
and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the re-
assessment  still  results  in  an  excess  of  the  fair  value  of  net  assets  acquired  over  the  aggregate  consideration 
transferred,  then  the  gain  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss.  Goodwill  is  tested  annually  for  impairment  and 
carried  at  cost  less  accumulated  impairment  losses.  If  there  is  any  indication  that  goodwill  is  impaired, 
recoverable  amount  is  estimated  and  the  difference  between  carrying  amount  and  recoverable  amount  is 
recognised  as  an  impairment  charge.  Impairment  losses  on  goodwill  are  not  reversed  in  subsequent  period. 
Gains  and  losses  on  the  disposal  of  an  entity  take  into  consideration  the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill 
relating to the entity sold.

The  investments  in  subsidiaries  are  accounted  for  only  in  the  Company’s  statement  of  financial  position 
at  cost  less  impairment.  Cost  is  adjusted  to  reflect  changes  in  consideration  arising  from  contingent 
consideration  amendments.  Cost  also  includes  direct  attributable  costs  of  investment.  The  results  of 
subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company on the basis of dividend received and receivable.

Transactions with non-controlling interests

The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of controls as equity 
transactions. For shares purchased from non-controlling interests, the difference between any consideration 
paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. 
Gains or losses on disposal of shares to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

When  the  Group  ceases  to  have  control  or  significant  influence,  any  retained  interest  in  the  entity  is  re-
measured  to  its  fair  value,  with  the  change  in  carrying  amount  recognised  in  profit  or  loss.  The  fair  value 
is  the  initial  carrying  amount  for  the  purposes  of  subsequently  accounting  for  the  retained  interest  as  an 
associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in OCI in respect 
of that entity are accounted for as if the group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This 
may mean that amounts previously recognised in OCI are reclassified to profit or loss.

If the ownership interest in an associate is reduced but significant influence is retained, only a proportionate 
share of the amounts previously recognised in OCI is reclassified to profit or loss as appropriate.

113

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.3  Associates and joint ventures

Associates  are  entities  over  which  the  Group  has  significant  influence,  generally  accompanying  a 
shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting right of the investee. Significant influence is the power 
to  participate  in  the  financial  and  operating  policy  decisions  of  the  investee,  but  is  not  control  or  joint 
control over those policies.

Joint  ventures  are  the  type  of  joint  arrangements  whereby  the  parties  that  have  joint  control  of  the 
arrangement  have  rights  to  the  net  assets  of  the  joint  venture.  Joint  control  is  the  contractually  agreed 
sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require 
unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are 
initially recognised at cost.

The  Group’s  share  of  post-acquisition  profit  or  loss  of  its  associates  and  joint  ventures  is  recognised  in  net 
profit,  and  its  share  of  post-acquisition  movements  in  OCI  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  statement 
of  comprehensive  income.  The  cumulative  post-acquisition  movements  are  adjusted  against  the  carrying 
amount  of  the  investment.  When  the  Group’s  share  of  losses  in  an  associate  or  joint  venture  equals  or 
exceeds  its  interest  in  the  associate  or  joint  venture,  including  any  other  unsecured  receivables,  the  Group 
does  not  recognise  further  losses  unless  it  has  obligations  to  make  payments  on  behalf  of  the  associate  or 
joint venture.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its associates or joint ventures are eliminated to the 
extent of the Group’s interests in the associates or joint ventures. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless 
the  transaction  provides  evidence  of  an  impairment  of  the  asset  transferred.  Associates  and  joint  ventures’ 
accounting  policies  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency  with  the  policies  adopted  by 
the Group.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net 
identifiable assets of acquired associates or joint ventures at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions 
of  associates  and  joint  ventures  is  included  in  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  and  is  tested 
annually  for  impairment  as  part  of  the  overall  balance.  Impairment  losses  on  goodwill  are  not  reversed. 
Gains  and  losses  on  the  disposal  of  an  entity  take  into  consideration  the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill 
relating to the entity sold.

The  Group  determines  at  each  reporting  date  whether  there  is  any  objective  evidence  that  the  investment 
in the associates and joint ventures is impaired. If this is the case, an impairment loss is recognised for the 
amount by which the investment’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount 
is  the  higher  of  the  investment’s  fair  value  less  costs  to  dispose  of  and  value  in  use.  The  impairment  of 
investment in the associates and joint ventures is reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

The  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  are  stated  at  cost  less  impairment  in  the  Company’s 
statement  of  financial  position.  The  results  of  associates  and  joint  ventures  are  accounted  for  by  the 
Company on the basis of dividends received and receivable.

114

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.4  Segment reporting

The  Group’s  operating  segments  are  presented  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  management 
reporting  provided  to  the  president  office  for  deciding  how  to  allocate  resources  and  for  assessing 
performance.

Operating  segment  refers  to  the  segment  within  the  Group  that  satisfies  the  following  conditions:  i) 
the  segment  generates  income  and  incurs  costs  from  daily  operating  activities;  ii)  management  evaluates 
the  operating  results  of  the  segment  to  make  resource  allocation  decision  and  to  evaluate  the  business 
performance;  and  iii)  the  Group  can  obtain  relevant  financial  information  of  the  segment,  including 
financial condition, operating results, cash flows and other financial performance indicators.

2.5  Foreign currency translation

Except  for  China  Life  Franklin  Asset  Management  Company  Limited  (“AMC  HK”)  (Note  38),  the 
functional  currency  of  the  Group  is  RMB.  The  reporting  currency  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements 
of  the  Group  is  RMB.  Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  the  exchange  rates  ruling  at  the 
transaction  dates.  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  the 
exchange  rates  ruling  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period.  Exchange  differences  arising  in  these  cases  are 
recognised in net profit.

2.6  Property, plant and equipment

Property,  plant  and  equipment,  are  stated  at  historical  costs  less  accumulated  depreciation  and  any 
accumulated impairment losses, except for those acquired prior to 30 June 2003, which are stated at deemed 
cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

The  historical  costs  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  comprise  its  purchase  price,  including  import 
duties  and  non-refundable  purchase  taxes,  and  any  directly  attributable  costs  of  bringing  the  asset  to  its 
working  condition  and  location  for  its  intended  use.  Expenditure  incurred  after  terms  of  property,  plant 
and  equipment  have  been  put  into  operation,  such  as  repairs  and  maintenance,  is  normally  charged  to  the 
statement of comprehensive income in the period in which it is incurred. In situations where the recognition 
criteria are satisfied, the expenditure for a major inspection is capitalised in the carrying amount of the assets 
as  a  replacement.  Where  significant  parts  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  required  to  be  replaced  at 
intervals, the Group recognises such parts as individual assets with specific useful lives and depreciates them 
accordingly.

115

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.6  Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Depreciation

Depreciation  is  computed  on  a  straight-line  basis  to  write  down  the  cost  of  each  asset  to  its  residual  value 
over its estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings 
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures 
Motor vehicles 
Leasehold improvements 

Estimated useful lives

15 to 35 years
5 to 11 years
4 to 8 years
Over the shorter of the remaining term of
the lease and the useful lives

The depreciation method and useful lives are reviewed periodically to ensure that the method and period of 
depreciation are consistent with the expected pattern of economic benefits from items of property, plant and 
equipment.

Assets  under  construction  mainly  represent  buildings  under  construction,  which  are  stated  at  cost  less  any 
impairment losses and are not depreciated, except for those acquired prior to 30 June 2003, which are stated 
at  deemed  cost  less  any  accumulated  impairment  losses.  Cost  comprises  the  direct  costs  of  construction 
and  capitalised  borrowing  costs  on  related  borrowed  funds  during  the  period  of  construction.  Assets  under 
construction  are  reclassified  to  the  appropriate  category  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  when  completed 
and ready for use.

Impairment and gains or losses on disposals

Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  reviewed  for  impairment  losses  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised in 
net profit for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is 
the higher of an asset’s net selling price and value in use.

The  gain  or  loss  on  disposal  of  a  property,  plant  and  equipment  is  the  difference  between  the  net  sales 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant asset, and is recognised in net profit.

116

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.7  Investment properties

Investment  properties  are  interests  in  land  and  buildings  that  are  held  to  earn  rental  income  and/or  for 
capital appreciation, rather than for the supply of services or for administrative purposes.

Investment  properties  are  measured  initially  at  cost,  including  transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial 
recognition, investment properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment loss.

Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives 
of investment properties are 15 to 35 years.

Overseas  investment  properties  that  are  held  by  the  Group  in  the  forms  of  property  ownership,  equity 
investment,  or  other  forms,  have  expected  useful  lives  of  50  years,  determined  based  on  the  usage  in  their 
locations.

The useful lives and depreciation method are reviewed periodically to ensure that the method and period of 
depreciation  are  consistent  with  the  expected  pattern  of  economic  benefits  from  the  individual  investment 
properties.

An investment property is derecognised when either it has been disposed of or when the investment property 
is  permanently  withdrawn  from  use  and  no  future  economic  benefit  is  expected  from  its  disposal.  Any 
gains  or  losses  on  the  retirement  or  disposal  of  an  investment  property  are  recognised  in  the  statement  of 
comprehensive income in the year of retirement or disposal. A transfer to, or from, an investment property is 
made when, and only when, there is evidence of a change in use.

2.8  Financial assets

2.8.a  Classification

The  Group  classifies  its  financial  assets  into  the  following  categories:  securities  at  fair  value  through  profit 
or  loss,  held-to-maturity  securities,  loans  and  receivables  and  available-for-sale  securities.  Management 
determines  the  classification  of  its  financial  assets  at  initial  recognition  which  depends  on  the  purpose  for 
which the assets are acquired. The Group’s investments in securities fall into the following four categories:

(i) 

Securities at fair value through profit or loss

This  category  has  two  sub-categories:  securities  held  for  trading  and  those  designated  at  fair  value 
through profit or loss at inception. Securities are classified as held for trading at inception if acquired 
principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if they form part of a portfolio of financial 
assets  in  which  there  is  evidence  of  short  term  profit-taking.  The  Group  may  classify  other  financial 
assets  as  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  if  they  meet  certain  criteria  and  designated  as  such  at 
inception.

(ii)  Held-to-maturity securities

Held-to-maturity  securities  are  non-derivative  financial  assets  with  fixed  or  determinable  payments 
and  fixed  maturities  that  the  Group  has  the  positive  intention  and  ability  to  hold  to  maturity  and 
do  not  meet  the  definition  of  loans  and  receivables  nor  designated  as  available-for-sale  securities  or 
securities at fair value through profit or loss.

117

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.8  Financial assets (continued)

2.8.a  Classification (continued)

(iii)  Loans and receivables

Loans  and  receivables  are  non-derivative  financial  assets  with  fixed  or  determinable  payments  that 
are  not  quoted  in  an  active  market  other  than  those  that  the  Group  intends  to  sell  in  the  short  term 
or  held  as  available-for-sale.  Loans  and  receivables  mainly  comprise  term  deposits,  loans,  securities 
purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,  accrued  investment  income  and  premium  receivables  as 
presented separately in the statement of financial position.

(iv)  Available-for-sale securities

Available-for-sale  securities  are  non-derivative  financial  assets  that  are  either  designated  in  this 
category or not classified in any of the other categories.

2.8.b Recognition and measurement

Purchase and sale of investments are recognised on trade date, when the Group commits to purchase or sell 
assets. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case of all fi nancial assets not carried at fair 
value  through  profi t  or  loss,  transaction  costs  that  are  directly  attributable  to  their  acquisition.  Investments 
are derecognised when the rights to receive cash fl ows from the investments have expired or when they have 
been transferred and the Group has also transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Securities at fair value through profit or loss and available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Equity 
investments  that  do  not  have  a  quoted  price  in  an  active  market  and  whose  fair  value  cannot  be  reliably 
measured  are  carried  at  cost,  net  of  allowance  for  impairments.  Held-to-maturity  securities  are  carried  at 
amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method.  Investment  gains  and  losses  on  sales  of  securities  are 
determined  principally  by  specific  identification.  Realised  and  unrealised  gains  and  losses  arising  from 
changes in the fair value of the securities at fair value through profit or loss category, and the change of fair 
value of available-for-sale debt securities due to foreign exchange impact on the amortised cost are included 
in  net  profit  in  the  period  in  which  they  arise.  The  remaining  unrealised  gains  and  losses  arising  from 
changes  in  the  fair  value  of  available-for-sale  securities  are  recognised  in  OCI.  When  securities  classified  as 
available-for-sale securities are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments are included in net 
profit as realised gains or losses and impairment on financial assets.

Term deposits primarily represent traditional bank deposits which have fixed maturity dates and are stated at 
amortised cost.

Loans are carried at amortised cost, net of allowance for impairment.

The  Group  purchases  securities  under  agreements  to  resell  substantially  identical  securities.  These 
agreements  are  classified  as  secured  loans  and  are  recorded  at  amortised  cost,  i.e.  their  costs  plus  accrued 
interests  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period,  which  approximates  fair  value.  The  amounts  advanced  under 
these  agreements  are  reflected  as  assets  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position.  The  Group 
does  not  take  physical  possession  of  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell.  Sale  or  transfer  of  the 
securities  is  not  permitted  by  the  respective  clearing  house  on  which  they  are  registered  while  the  loan  is 
outstanding.  In  the  event  of  default  by  the  counterparty  to  repay  the  loan,  the  Group  has  the  right  to  the 
underlying securities held by the clearing house.

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For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.8  Financial assets (continued)

2.8.c  Impairment of financial assets other than securities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial  assets  other  than  those  accounted  for  as  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  are  adjusted  for 
impairment, where there are declines in value that are considered to be impairment. In evaluating whether a 
decline in value is an impairment for these financial assets, the Group considers several factors including, but 
not limited to, the following:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

Significant financial difficulty of the issuer or debtor;
A breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in payments;
It  becomes  probable  that  the  issuer  or  debtor  will  enter  into  bankruptcy  or  other  financial 
reorganisation; and
The disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties.

In  evaluating  whether  a  decline  in  value  is  impairment  for  equity  securities,  the  Group  also  considers  the 
extent or the duration of the decline. The quantitative factors include the following:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

The market price of the equity securities was more than 50% below their cost at the reporting date;
The market price of the equity securities was more than 20% below their cost for a period of at least 
six months at the reporting date; and
The  market  price  of  the  equity  securities  was  below  their  cost  for  a  period  of  more  than  one  year 
(including one year) at the reporting date.

When  the  decline  in  value  is  considered  impairment,  held-to-maturity  debt  securities  are  written  down 
to  their  present  value  of  estimated  future  cash  flows  discounted  at  the  securities’  effective  interest  rates; 
available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities are written down to their fair value, and the change is 
recorded in net realised gains and impairment on financial assets in the period the impairment is recognised. 
The impairment loss is reversed through net profit if in a subsequent period the fair value of a debt security 
increases  and  the  increase  can  be  objectively  related  to  an  event  occurring  after  the  impairment  loss  was 
recognised through net profit. The impairment losses recognised in net profit on equity instruments are not 
reversed through net profit.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.9  Fair value measurement

The  Group  measures  financial  instruments,  such  as  securities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  and 
available-for-sale securities, at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value is the price that would be received 
to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an  orderly  transaction  between  market  participants  at  the 
measurement date. The fair value measurement of assets and liabilities is based on the presumption that the 
transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

in the principal market for the asset or liability, or
in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible to by the Group at the measurement date.

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use 
when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate 
economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant 
that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data 
are available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use 
of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements 
are  categorized  within  the  fair  value  hierarchy,  described  in  Notes  4.3,  7  and  10,  based  on  the  lowest  level 
input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole.

For assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether 
transfers  have  occurred  between  each  level  in  the  hierarchy  by  re-assessing  categorisation  (based  on  the 
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting 
period.

2.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash amounts represent cash on hand and demand deposits. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, whose carrying value approximates fair value.

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For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.11 Insurance contracts and investment contracts

2.11.1 Classification

The  Group  issues  contracts  that  transfer  insurance  risk  or  financial  risk  or  both.  The  contracts  issued  by 
the  Group  are  classified  as  insurance  contracts  and  investment  contracts.  Insurance  contracts  are  those 
contracts that transfer significant insurance risk. They may also transfer financial risk. Investment contracts 
are  those  contracts  that  transfer  financial  risk  without  significant  insurance  risk.  A  number  of  insurance 
and  investment  contracts  contain  a  discretionary  participating  feature  (“DPF”).  This  feature  entitles  the 
policyholders  to  receive  additional  benefits  or  bonuses  that  are,  at  least  in  part,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Group.

2.11.2 Insurance contracts

2.11.2.a Recognition and measurement

(i) 

Short-term insurance contracts

Premiums  from  the  sale  of  short  duration  accident  and  health  insurance  products  are  recorded  when 
written  and  are  accreted  to  earnings  on  a  pro-rata  basis  over  the  term  of  the  related  policy  coverage. 
Reserves  for  short  duration  insurance  products  consist  of  unearned  premium  reserve  and  expected 
claims  and  claim  adjustment  expenses  reserve.  Actual  claims  and  claim  adjustment  expenses  are 
charged to net profit as incurred.

The  unearned  premium  reserve  represents  the  portion  of  the  premiums  written  net  of  certain 
acquisition costs relating to the unexpired terms of coverage.

Reserves for claims and claim adjustment expenses consist of the reserves for reported and unreported 
claims and reserves for claim expenses with respect to insured events. In developing these reserves, the 
Group considers the nature and distribution of the risks, claims cost development, and experiences in 
deriving the reasonable estimated amount and the applicable margins. The methods used for reported 
and unreported claims include case-by-case estimation method, average cost per claim method, chain 
ladder  method,  etc.  The  Group  calculates  the  reserves  for  claim  expenses  based  on  the  reasonable 
estimates of the future payments for claim expenses.

(ii) 

Long-term insurance contracts

Long-term  insurance  contracts  include  whole  life  and  term  life  insurance,  endowment  insurance  and 
annuity  policies  with  significant  life  contingency  risk.  Premiums  are  recognised  as  revenue  when  due 
from policyholders.

The  Group  uses  the  discounted  cash  flow  method  to  estimate  the  reserve  of  long-term  insurance 
contracts.  The  reserve  of  long-term  insurance  contracts  consists  of  a  reasonable  estimate  of  liability, 
a  risk  margin  and  a  residual  margin.  The  long-term  insurance  contract  liabilities  are  calculated  using 
various  assumptions,  including  assumptions  on  mortality  rates,  morbidity  rates,  lapse  rates,  discount 
rates, and expenses assumption, and based on the following principles:

121

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.11 Insurance contracts and investment contracts (continued)

2.11.2 Insurance contracts (continued)

2.11.2.a Recognition and measurement (continued)

(ii) 

Long-term insurance contracts (continued)

(a)  The  reasonable  estimate  of  liability  for  long-term  insurance  contracts  is  the  present  value  of 
reasonable  estimates  of  future  cash  outflows  less  future  cash  inflows.  The  expected  future  cash 
inflows  include  cash  inflows  of  future  premiums  arising  from  the  undertaking  of  insurance 
obligations,  with  consideration  of  decrement  mostly  from  death  and  surrenders.  The  expected 
future cash outflows are cash outflows incurred to fulfil contractual obligations, consisting of the 
following:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

guaranteed  benefits  based  on  contractual  terms,  including  payments  for  deaths, 
disabilities, diseases, survivals, maturities and surrenders;

additional non-guaranteed benefits, such as policyholder dividends;

reasonable  expenses  incurred  to  manage  insurance  contracts  or  to  process  claims, 
including  maintenance  expenses  and  claim  settlement  expenses.  Future  administration 
expenses  are  included  in  the  maintenance  expenses.  Expenses  are  determined  based 
on  expense  analysis  with  consideration  of  future  inflation  and  the  Group’s  expense 
management control.

On each reporting date, the Group reviews the assumptions for reasonable estimates of liability 
and  risk  margins,  with  consideration  of  all  available  information,  taking  into  account  the 
Group’s  historical  experience  and  expectation  of  future  events.  Changes  in  assumptions  are 
recognised  in  net  profit.  Assumptions  for  the  amortization  of  residual  margin  are  locked  in  at 
policy issuance and are not adjusted at each reporting date.

(b)  Margin  has  been  taken  into  consideration  while  computing  the  reserve  of  insurance  contracts, 
measured separately and recognised in net profit in each period over the life of the contracts. At 
the inception of the contracts, the Group does not recognise Day 1 gain, whereas on the other 
hand, Day 1 loss is recognised in net profit immediately.

Margin  comprises  of  risk  margin  and  residual  margin.  Risk  margin  is  the  reserve  accrued 
to  compensate  for  the  uncertain  amount  and  timing  of  future  cash  flows.  At  the  inception 
of  the  contract,  the  residual  margin  is  calculated  net  of  certain  acquisition  costs,  mainly 
consist  of  underwriting  and  policy  acquisition  costs,  by  the  Group  representing  Day  1  gain 
and  will  be  amortised  over  the  life  of  the  contracts.  For  insurance  contracts  of  which  future 
returns  are  affected  by  investment  yields  of  corresponding  investment  portfolios,  their  related 
residual  margins  are  amortised  based  on  estimated  future  participating  dividends  payable  to 
policyholders.  For  insurance  contracts  of  which  future  returns  are  not  affected  by  investment 
yields of corresponding investment portfolios, their related residual margins are amortised based 
on sum assured of outstanding policies. The subsequent measurement of the residual margin is 
independent from the reasonable estimate of future discounted cash flows and risk margin. The 
assumption changes have no effect on the subsequent measurement of the residual margin.

122

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.11 Insurance contracts and investment contracts (continued)

2.11.2 Insurance contracts (continued)

2.11.2.a Recognition and measurement (continued)

(ii) 

Long-term insurance contracts (continued)

(c)  The  Group  has  considered  the  impact  of  time  value  on  the  reserve  calculation  for  insurance 

contracts.

(iii)  Universal life contracts and unit-linked contracts

Universal life contracts and unit-linked contracts are unbundled into the following components:

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

Insurance components
Non-insurance components

The  insurance  components  are  accounted  for  as  insurance  contracts;  and  the  non-insurance 
components  are  accounted  for  as  investment  contracts  (Note  2.11.3),  which  are  stated  in  the 
investment contract liabilities.

2.11.2.b Liability adequacy test

The  Group  assesses  the  adequacy  of  insurance  contract  reserves  using  the  current  estimate  of  future  cash 
flows  with  available  information  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period.  If  that  assessment  shows  that  the 
carrying amount of its insurance liabilities (less related intangible assets, if applicable) is inadequate in light 
of  the  estimated  future  cash  flows,  the  insurance  contract  reserves  will  be  adjusted  accordingly,  and  any 
changes of the insurance contract liabilities will be recognised in net profit.

2.11.2.c Reinsurance contracts held

Contracts  with  reinsurers  under  which  the  Group  is  compensated  for  losses  on  one  or  more  contracts 
issued  by  the  Group  and  that  meet  the  classification  requirements  for  insurance  contracts  are  classified  as 
reinsurance  contracts  held.  Contracts  with  reinsurers  that  do  not  meet  these  classification  requirements  are 
classified as financial assets. Insurance contracts entered into by the Group under which the contract holder 
is another insurer (inwards reinsurance) are included with insurance contracts.

The  benefits  to  which  the  Group  is  entitled  under  its  reinsurance  contracts  held  are  recognised  as 
reinsurance  assets.  Amounts  recoverable  from  or  due  to  reinsurers  are  measured  consistently  with  the 
amounts  associated  with  the  reinsured  insurance  contracts  and  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  each 
reinsurance  contract.  Reinsurance  liabilities  are  primarily  premiums  payable  for  reinsurance  contracts  and 
are recognised as expenses when due.

The  Group  assesses  its  reinsurance  assets  for  impairment  as  at  the  end  of  reporting  period.  If  there  is 
objective  evidence  that  the  reinsurance  asset  is  impaired,  the  Group  reduces  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
reinsurance asset to its recoverable amount and recognises that impairment loss in net profit.

123

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.11 Insurance contracts and investment contracts (continued)

2.11.3 Investment contracts

Revenue from investment contracts with or without DPF is recognised as policy fee income, which consists 
of  various  fee  incomes  (policy  fees,  handling  fees  and  management  fees,  etc.)  during  the  period.  Policy  fee 
income net of certain acquisition cost is deferred as unearned revenue and amortised over the expected life of 
the contracts.

Except for unit-linked contracts, of which the liabilities are carried at fair value, the liabilities of investment 
contracts are carried at amortised cost.

2.11.4 DPF in long-term insurance contracts and investment contracts

DPF  is  contained  in  certain  long-term  insurance  contracts  and  investment  contracts.  These  contracts  are 
collectively called participating contracts. The Group is obligated to pay to the policyholders of participating 
contracts  as  a  group  the  higher  of  70%  of  accumulated  surplus  available  and  the  rate  specified  in  the 
contracts. The accumulated surplus available mainly arises from net investment income and gains and losses 
arising  from  the  assets  supporting  these  contracts.  To  the  extent  unrealised  gains  or  losses  from  available-
for-sale securities are attributable to policyholders, shadow adjustments are recognised in OCI. The surplus 
owed  to  policyholders  is  recognised  as  policyholder  dividend  payable  whether  it  is  declared  or  not.  The 
amount and timing of distribution to individual policyholders of participating contracts are subject to future 
declarations by the Group.

2.12 Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial  liabilities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  are  the  portions  owned  by  the  external  investors  in 
the consolidated structured entities (open-ended funds). Such financial liabilities are designated at fair value 
upon initial recognition, and all realised or unrealised gains or losses are recognised in net profit.

2.13 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The  Group  retains  substantially  all  the  risk  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  securities  sold  under  agreements 
to  repurchase  which  generally  mature  within  180  days  from  the  transaction  date.  Therefore  securities  sold 
under agreements to repurchase are classified as secured borrowings. The Group may be required to provide 
additional  collateral  based  on  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying  securities.  Securities  sold  under  agreements 
to repurchase are recorded at amortised cost, i.e. their cost plus accrued interest at the end of the reporting 
period.  It  is  the  Group’s  policy  to  maintain  effective  control  over  securities  sold  under  agreements  to 
repurchase  which  includes  maintaining  physical  possession  of  the  securities.  Accordingly,  such  securities 
continue to be carried on the consolidated statement of financial position.

2.14 Bonds payable

Bonds payable primarily include subordinated debts. Subordinated debts are initially recognised at fair value 
and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method.  Amortised  cost  is 
calculated by taking into account any discount or premium at acquisition and transaction costs.

124

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.15 Derivative instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and 
are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. The resulting gain or loss of derivative financial instruments 
is recognised in net profit. Fair values are obtained from quoted market prices in active market, taking into 
consideration of recent market transactions or valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models 
and options pricing models, as appropriate. All derivatives are carried as assets when fair value is positive and 
as liabilities when fair value is negative.

Embedded  derivatives  that  are  not  closely  related  to  their  host  contracts  and  meet  the  definition  of  a 
derivative  are  separated  and  fair  valued  through  profit  or  loss.  The  Group  does  not  separately  measure 
embedded  derivatives  that  meet  the  definition  of  an  insurance  contract  or  embedded  derivatives  that  are 
closely relate to host insurance contracts including embedded options to surrender insurance contracts for a 
fixed amount (or an amount based on a fixed amount and an interest rate).

2.16 Employee benefits

Pension benefits

Full-time employees of the Group are covered by various government-sponsored pension plans under which 
the  employees  are  entitled  to  a  monthly  pension  based  on  certain  formulae.  These  government  agencies 
are  responsible  for  the  pension  liability  to  these  employees  upon  retirement.  The  Group  contributes  on  a 
monthly  basis  to  these  pension  plans.  In  addition  to  the  government-sponsored  pension  plans,  the  Group 
established an employee annuity fund pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, whereby the 
Group is required to contribute to the schemes at fixed rates of the employees’ salary costs. Contributions to 
these  plans  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Under  these  plans,  the  Group  has  no  legal  or  constructive  obligation 
for retirement benefit beyond the contributions made.

Housing benefits

All  full-time  employees  of  the  Group  are  entitled  to  participate  in  various  government-sponsored  housing 
funds. The Group contributes on a monthly basis to these funds based on certain percentages of the salaries 
of  the  employees.  The  Group’s  liability  in  respect  of  these  funds  is  limited  to  the  contributions  payable  in 
each year.

Stock appreciation rights

Compensation  under  the  stock  appreciation  rights  is  measured  based  on  the  fair  value  of  the  liabilities 
incurred and is expensed over the vesting period. Valuation techniques including option pricing models are 
used  to  estimate  fair  value  of  relevant  liabilities.  The  liability  is  re-measured  at  the  end  of  each  reporting 
period to its fair value until settlement. Fair value changes in the vesting period is included in administrative 
expenses and changes after vesting period is included in net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss in 
net profit. The related liability is included in other liabilities.

125

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.17 Share capital

Ordinary  shares  are  classified  as  equity.  Incremental  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  issue  of  equity 
instruments are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

2.18 Revenue recognition

Turnover of the Group represents the total revenues which include the following:

Premiums

Premiums from long-term insurance contracts are recognised as revenue when due from the policyholders.

Premiums from the sale of short duration accident and health insurance products are recorded when written 
and are accreted to earnings on a pro-rata basis over the term of the related policy coverage.

Policy fee income

Revenue from investment contracts is recognised as policy fee income, which consists of various fee incomes 
(policy fees, handling fees and management fees, etc.) over the period of which service is provided. Policy fee 
income net of certain acquisition costs are deferred as unearned revenue and amortised over the expected life 
of the contracts. Policy fee income is recognised in revenue as part of other income.

Investment income

Investment income comprises interest income from term deposits, cash and cash equivalents, debt securities, 
securities purchased under agreements to resell, loans, and dividend income from equity securities. Interest 
income  is  recorded  on  an  accrual  basis  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method.  Dividend  income  is 
recognised when the right to receive dividend payment is established.

2.19 Finance costs

Interest  expenses  for  bonds  payable,  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  and  interest-bearing 
loans  and  borrowings  are  recognised  within  finance  costs  in  net  profit  using  the  effective  interest  rate 
method.

126

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.20 Current and deferred income taxation

Income tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in net profit, 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in OCI where the income tax is recognised in 
OCI.

Current  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  for  the  current  period  are  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the  tax  laws 
enacted or substantively enacted at the end of each reporting period in the jurisdictions where the Company 
and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken 
with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation.

Deferred  income  tax  is  recognised,  using  the  liability  method,  on  temporary  differences  arising  between 
the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements. 
Substantively enacted tax rates are used in the determination of deferred income tax.

Deferred  income  tax  is  provided  on  temporary  differences  arising  on  investments  in  subsidiaries  and 
associates  except  where  the  timing  of  the  reversal  of  the  temporary  difference  can  be  controlled  and  it  is 
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the 
deferred tax asset to be utilised. Conversely, previously unrecognised deferred tax assets are reassessed by the 
end of each reporting period and are recognised to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit 
will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when 
the  asset  is  realized  or  the  liability  is  settled,  based  on  tax  rates  (and  tax  laws)  that  have  been  enacted  or 
substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset, if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current 
tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same 
taxation authority.

127

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.21 Operating leases

Leases  where  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  assets  remain  with  the  lessor  company 
are accounted for as operating leases.

Where the Group is the lessor, assets leased by the Group under operating leases are included in investment 
properties  and  rentals  receivable  under  such  operating  leases  are  credited  to  the  consolidated  statement  of 
comprehensive income on the straight-line basis over the lease terms.

Where  the  Group  is  the  lessee,  rentals  payable  under  operating  leases  are  charged  to  the  consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income on the straight-line basis over the lease terms. The aggregate benefit of 
incentives provided by the lessor is recognised as a reduction in rental expenses over the lease terms on the 
straight-line basis.

2.22 Provisions and contingencies

Provisions  are  recognised  when  the  Group  has  a  present  legal  or  constructive  obligation  as  a  result  of  past 
events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount 
has been reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

A  contingent  liability  is  a  possible  obligation  that  arises  from  past  events  and  whose  existence  will  only  be 
confirmed  by  the  occurrence  or  non-occurrence  of  one  or  more  uncertain  future  events  not  wholly  within 
the control of the Group. It can also be a present obligation arising from past events that is not recognised 
because it is not probable that outflow of economic resources will be required or the amount of obligation 
cannot be measured reliably.

A  contingent  liability  is  not  recognised  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  but  is  disclosed 
in the notes to the financial statements. When a change in the probability of an outflow occurs so that such 
outflow is probable and can be reliably measured, it will then be recognised as a provision.

2.23 Dividend distribution

Dividend  distribution  to  the  Company’s  equity  holders  is  recognised  as  a  liability  in  the  Group’s 
consolidated financial statements in the year in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s equity 
holders.

128

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

3  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The  Group  makes  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities.  Estimates 
and  judgements  are  continually  evaluated  and  based  on  historical  experience  and  other  factors,  including 
expectations  of  future  events  that  are  believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances.  The  Group  exercises 
significant judgement in making appropriate assumptions.

Areas  susceptible  to  changes  in  critical  estimates  and  judgements,  which  affect  the  carrying  value  of  assets  and 
liabilities, are set out below. It is possible that actual results may be different from the estimates and judgements 
referred to below.

3.1  Estimate  of  future  benefit  payments  and  premiums  arising  from  long-term  insurance 

contracts
The  determination  of  the  liabilities  under  long-term  insurance  contracts  is  based  on  estimates  of  future 
benefit payments, premiums and relevant expenses made by the Group and the margins. Assumptions about 
mortality rates, morbidity rates, lapse rates, discount rates, and expenses assumption are made based on the 
most recent historical analysis and current and future economic conditions. The liability uncertainty arising 
from uncertain future benefit payments, premiums and relevant expenses, is reflected in the risk margin.

The  residual  margin  relating  to  the  long-term  insurance  contracts  is  amortised  over  the  expected  life  of 
the  contracts,  based  on  the  assumptions  (mortality  rates,  morbidity  rates,  lapse  rates,  discount  rates,  and 
expenses  assumption)  that  are  determined  at  inception  of  the  contracts  and  remain  unchanged  for  the 
duration of the contracts.

The  judgements  exercised  in  the  valuation  of  insurance  contract  liabilities  (including  contracts  with  DPF) 
affect  the  amounts  recognised  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  as  insurance  contract  benefits  and 
insurance contract liabilities.

The impact of the various assumptions and their changes are described in Note 14.

3.2  Investments

The  Group’s  principal  financial  instruments  are  debt  securities,  equity  securities,  term  deposits  and  loans. 
The  critical  estimates  and  judgements  are  those  associated  with  the  recognition  of  impairment  and  the 
measurement of fair value.

The Group considers a wide range of factors in the impairment assessment as described in Note 2.8.c.

129

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

3  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS (continued)

3.2  Investments (continued)

Fair  value  is  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an  orderly 
transaction  between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.  When  the  fair  values  of  financial  assets 
and  liabilities  recorded  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  cannot  be  measured  based  on 
quoted  prices  in  active  markets,  their  fair  value  is  measured  using  valuation  techniques  which  require  a 
degree  of  considerations.  The  methods  and  assumptions  used  by  the  Group  in  measuring  the  fair  value  of 
financial instruments are as follows:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

Debt  securities:  fair  values  are  generally  based  upon  current  bid  prices.  Where  current  bid  prices  are 
not readily available, fair values are estimated using either prices observed in recent transactions, values 
obtained from current bid prices of comparable investments or valuation techniques when the market 
is not active.

Equity securities: fair values are generally based upon current bid prices. Where current bid prices are 
not  readily  available,  fair  values  are  estimated  using  either  prices  observed  in  recent  transactions  or 
commonly  used  market  pricing  models.  Equity  securities,  for  which  fair  values  cannot  be  measured 
reliably, are recognised at cost less impairment.

Term  deposits  and  loans:  the  carrying  amounts  of  these  assets  in  the  statement  of  consolidated 
financial position approximate fair value.

For  the  description  of  valuation  techniques,  please  refer  to  Note  4.3.  Using  different  valuation  techniques 
and parameter assumptions may lead to some differences of fair value estimations.

3.3  Income tax

The Group is subject to income tax in numerous jurisdictions. During the normal course of business, certain 
transactions and activities for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain, the Group needs to exercise 
significant judgement when determining the income tax. If the final settlement results of the tax matters are 
different from the amounts recorded, these differences will impact the final income tax expense and deferred 
tax for the period.

3.4  Determination of control over investee

The  Group  applies  its  judgment  to  determine  whether  the  control  indicators  set  out  in  Note  2.2  indicate 
that the Group controls structured entities such as funds and asset management products.

The Group sponsors certain structured entities (e.g. funds), and acts as a manager for such entities according 
to the contracts. In addition, the Group may be exposed to variability of returns as a result of holding shares 
of  the  structured  entities.  Determining  whether  the  Group  controls  such  structured  entities  usually  focuses 
on  the  assessment  of  the  aggregate  economic  interests  of  the  Group  in  the  entities  (including  any  carried 
interests  and  expected  management  fees)  and  the  decision-making  rights  on  the  entity.  As  at  31  December 
2014,  the  Group  has  consolidated  five  fund  products  issued  and  managed  by  the  Company’s  subsidiary, 
China Life AMP Asset Management Company (“CL AMP”), in the consolidated financial statements. Please 
refer to Note 38 for the details.

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk  management  is  carried  out  by  the  Group’s  Risk  Management  Committee  under  policies  approved  by  the 
Group’s Board of Directors.

The  Group  issues  contracts  that  transfer  insurance  risk  or  financial  risk  or  both.  This  section  summarises  these 
risks and the way the Group manages them.

4.1  Insurance risk

4.1.1 Types of insurance risks

The risk under any one insurance contract is the possibility that an insured event occurs and the uncertainty 
about the amount of the resulting claim. By the very nature of an insurance contract, this risk is random and 
therefore unpredictable. For a portfolio of insurance contracts where the theory of probability is applied to 
the pricing and provisioning, the principal risk that the Group faces under its insurance contracts is that the 
actual claims and benefit payments are less favourable than the underlying assumptions used in establishing 
the  insurance  liabilities.  This  occurs  when  the  frequency  or  severity  of  claims  and  benefits  exceeds  the 
estimates.  Insurance  events  are  random,  and  the  actual  number  of  claims  and  the  amount  of  benefits  paid 
will vary each year from estimates established using statistical techniques.

Experience  shows  that  the  larger  the  portfolio  of  similar  insurance  contracts,  the  smaller  the  relative 
variability  of  the  expected  outcome  will  be.  In  addition,  a  more  diversified  portfolio  is  less  likely  to  be 
affected across the board by a change in any subset of the portfolio. The Group has developed its insurance 
underwriting strategy to diversify the types of insurance risks accepted and within each of these categories to 
achieve a sufficiently large population to reduce the variability of the expected outcome. The Group manages 
insurance risk through underwriting strategy, reinsurance arrangements and claims handling.

The  Group  manages  insurance  risks  through  two  types  of  reinsurance  agreements,  ceding  on  a  quota  share 
basis  or  a  surplus  basis,  to  cover  insurance  liability  risk.  Reinsurance  contracts  cover  almost  all  products, 
which  contain  risk  liabilities.  The  products  reinsured  include:  life  insurance,  accident  and  health  insurance 
or  death,  disability,  accident,  illness  and  assistance  in  terms  of  product  category  or  function,  respectively. 
These  reinsurances  agreements  spread  insured  risk  to  a  certain  extent  and  reduce  the  effect  of  potential 
losses to the Group. However, the Group’s direct insurance liabilities to the policyholder are not eliminated 
because of credit risk associated with the failure of reinsurance companies to fulfil their responsibilities.

4.1.2 Concentration of insurance risks

All  insurance  operations  of  the  Group  are  located  in  the  PRC.  There  are  no  significant  differences  among 
the regions where the Group underwrites insurance contracts.

131

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.2 Concentration of insurance risks (continued)

The table below presents the Group’s major products of long-term insurance contracts:

Product name 

2014 

2013

RMB million 

% 

RMB million 

%

Premiums of long-term insurance contracts
New Xin Feng Endowment (Type A) (a) 
Kang Ning Whole Life (b) 
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (c) 
Mei Man Yi Sheng Participating Annuity (d) 
Hong Fu Participating Endowment (e) 
Others (f) 

62,635 
24,623 
16,293 
12,367 
149 
188,610 

20.56% 
8.08% 
5.35% 
4.06% 
0.05% 
61.90% 

92 
25,672 
29,235 
18,881 
631 
231,209 

0.03%
8.40%
9.56%
6.18%
0.21%
75.62%

Total 

304,677 

100.00% 

305,720 

100.00%

Insurance benefits of long-term

insurance contracts

New Xin Feng Endowment (Type A) (a) 
Kang Ning Whole Life (b) 
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (c) 
Mei Man Yi Sheng Participating Annuity (d) 
Hong Fu Participating Endowment (e) 
Others (f) 

56 
3,556 
482 
2,659 
10,255 
78,170 

0.06% 
3.74% 
0.51% 
2.79% 
10.77% 
82.13% 

– 
3,339 
432 
2,719 
300 
122,102 

–
2.59%
0.34%
2.11%
0.23%
94.73%

Total 

95,178 

100.00% 

128,892 

100.00%

As at 31 December 2014 

As at 31 December 2013

RMB million 

% 

RMB million 

%

Liabilities of long-term insurance contracts
New Xin Feng Endowment (Type A) (a) 
Kang Ning Whole Life (b) 
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (c) 
Mei Man Yi Sheng Participating Annuity (d) 
Hong Fu Participating Endowment (e) 
Others (f) 

63,701 
191,865 
187,274 
124,381 
92,985 
928,694 

4.01% 
12.08% 
11.79% 
7.83% 
5.85% 
58.44% 

91 
172,055 
179,258 
114,531 
107,477 
909,534 

0.01%
11.60%
12.09%
7.72%
7.25%
61.33%

Total 

1,588,900 

100.00% 

1,482,946 

100.00%

132

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.2 Concentration of insurance risks (continued)

(a)  New  Xin  Feng  is  an  endowment  insurance  contract  with  single  premium.  Its  insured  period  is  5 
years. This product is applicable to healthy policyholders between 18-year-old and 70-year-old. Both 
maturity and death benefits are paid at the basic sum insured. Accident death benefit is paid at 300% 
of the basic sum insured.

(b)  Kang Ning is a whole life insurance contract with the options for single premium or regular premium 
of 10 years or 20 years. The critical illness benefi t is paid at 200% of the basic sum insured. Both death 
and disability benefi ts are paid at 300% of the basic sum insured less any critical illness benefi ts paid.

(c)  Hong  Ying  is  a  participating  endowment  insurance  contract  with  the  options  for  single  premium 
or  regular  premium  of  3  years,  5  years  or  10  years.  Its  insured  period  can  be  6  years,  10  years  or 
15  years.  This  product  is  applicable  to  healthy  policyholders  between  30-day-old  and  70-year-old. 
Maturity  benefit  of  a  single  premium  policy  is  paid  at  the  basic  sum  insured,  while  that  of  a  regular 
premium  policy  is  paid  at  the  basic  sum  insured  multiplied  by  the  number  of  years  of  the  premium 
payments. Disease death benefit incurred within the first policy year is paid at the premium received 
(without  interest).  Disease  death  benefit  incurred  after  the  first  policy  year  is  paid  at  the  basic  sum 
insured  for  a  single  premium  policy  or  the  basic  sum  insured  multiplied  by  the  number  of  years  of 
premium payments for a regular premium policy. For accident death incurred on a train, a ship or a 
flight,  accident  death  benefit  is  paid  at  300%  of  the  basic  sum  insured  for  a  single  premium  policy 
or  300%  of  the  basic  sum  insured  multiplied  by  the  number  of  years  of  premium  payments  for  a 
regular premium policy. For accident death incurred not on a train, a ship nor a flight, accident death 
benefit is paid at 200% of the basic sum insured for a single premium policy or 200% of the basic sum 
insured multiplied by the number of years of premium payments for a regular premium policy.

(d)  Mei  Man  Yi  Sheng  is  a  participating  endowment  insurance  contract  with  the  options  for  regular 
premium of 3 years, 5 years, 8 years or 12 years, applicable to healthy policyholders between 30-day-
old  and  60-year-old.  The  insured  period  is  till  when  the  insured  is  75  years  old.  Annuity  is  paid  at 
1%  of  the  basic  sum  insured  multiplied  by  the  number  of  years  of  premium  payments  during  the 
insured  period.  Maturity  benefit  is  paid  at  the  basic  sum  insured  multiplied  by  the  number  of  years 
of  premium  payments.  Disease  death  benefit  incurred  within  the  first  two  policy  years  is  paid  at  the 
premium received (without interest). Accident or disease death benefit after the first two policy years is 
paid at 110% of the basic sum insured multiplied by the number of years of premium payments.

(e)  Hong  Fu  is  a  participating  endowment  insurance  contract  with  the  options  for  single  premium  or 
regular  premium  of  3  years.  Its  insured  period  can  be  6  years  or  9  years.  This  product  is  applicable  to 
healthy policyholders between 30-day-old and 60-year-old. Maturity benefi t of a single premium policy 
is paid at the basic sum insured, while that of a regular premium policy is paid at the basic sum insured 
multiplied by the number of years of the premium payments. Disease death benefi t incurred within the 
fi rst policy year is paid at the premium received (without interest). Disease death benefi t incurred after 
the fi rst policy year is paid at the basic sum insured for a single premium policy or the basic sum insured 
multiplied by the number of years of premium payments for a regular premium policy. Accident death 
benefi t is paid at 300% of the basic sum insured for a single premium policy or 300% of the basic sum 
insured multiplied by the number of years of premium payments for a regular premium policy.

133

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.2 Concentration of insurance risks (continued)

(f)  Others consist of various long-term insurance contracts with no significant concentration.

4.1.3 Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analysis of long-term insurance contracts

Liabilities for long-term insurance contracts and liabilities unbundled from universal life insurance contracts 
and unit-linked insurance contracts with insurance risk are calculated based on the assumptions on mortality 
rates,  morbidity  rates,  lapse  rates  and  discount  rates.  Changes  in  insurance  contract  reserve  assumptions 
reflect the Company’s actual operating results and changes in its expectation of future events. The Company 
considers the potential impact of future risk factors on its operating results and incorporates such potential 
impact in the determination of assumptions.

Holding  all  other  variables  constant,  if  mortality  rates  and  morbidity  rates  were  to  increase  or  decrease 
from  the  current  best  estimate  by  10%,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  RMB12,971  million 
or  RMB13,554  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB12,120  million  or  RMB12,660  million)  lower  or 
higher, respectively.

Holding all other variables constant, if lapse rates were to increase or decrease from the current best estimate 
by  10%,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  RMB5,191  million  or  RMB5,478  million  (as  at  31 
December 2013: RMB5,460 million or RMB5,765 million) lower or higher, respectively.

Holding  all  other  variables  constant,  if  the  discount  rates  were  50  basis  points  higher  or  lower  than  the 
current  best  estimate,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  RMB41,300  million  or  RMB46,868 
million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB39,833  million  or  RMB45,292  million)  higher  or  lower, 
respectively.

Sensitivity analysis of short-term insurance contracts

The  assumptions  of  reserves  for  claims  and  claim  adjustment  expenses  may  be  affected  by  other  variables 
such as claims payment of short-term insurance contracts, which may result in the synchronous changes to 
reserves for claims and claim adjustment expenses.

Holding  all  other  variables  constant,  if  claim  ratios  are  100  basis  points  higher  or  lower  than  the  current 
assumption,  pre-tax  profit  is  expected  to  be  RMB258  million  lower  or  higher,  respectively  (as  at  31 
December 2013: RMB193 million).

134

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.3 Sensitivity analysis (continued)

Sensitivity analysis of short-term insurance contracts (continued)

The  following  table  indicates  the  claim  development  for  short-term  insurance  contracts  without  taking 
account of reinsurance impacts:

Estimated claims expenses 

2010 

Short-term insurance contracts (accident year)
2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

Total

Current year 
1 year later 
2 years later 
3 years later 
4 years later 

Estimated accumulated
  claims expenses 
Accumulated 
  claims expenses paid 

8,826 
8,967 
8,640 
8,640 
8,640

8,002 
8,279 
8,090 
8,090

8,056 
8,164 
8,123

11,476 
11,872

16,499

8,640 

8,090 

8,123 

11,872 

16,499 

53,224

(8,640) 

(8,090) 

(8,123) 

(11,419) 

(9,636) 

(45,908)

Unpaid claims expenses 

– 

– 

– 

453 

6,863 

7,316

The following table indicates the claim development for short-term insurance contracts taking account of 
reinsurance impacts:

Estimated claims expenses 

2010 

Short-term insurance contracts (accident year)
2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

Total

Current year 
1 year later 
2 years later 
3 years later 
4 years later 

Estimated accumulated
  claims expenses 
Accumulated 
  claims expenses paid 

8,741 
8,879 
8,557 
8,557 
8,557

7,889 
8,161 
7,977 
7,977

7,916 
8,035 
7,997

11,331 
11,743

16,379

8,557 

7,977 

7,997 

11,743 

16,379 

52,653

(8,557) 

(7,977) 

(7,997) 

(11,292) 

(9,553) 

(45,376)

Unpaid claims expenses 

– 

– 

– 

451 

6,826 

7,277

135

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk

The Group’s activities are exposed to a variety of financial risks. The key financial risk is that proceeds from 
the sale of financial assets will not be sufficient to fund the obligations arising from the Group’s insurance 
and investment contracts. The most important components of financial risk are market risk, credit risk and 
liquidity risk.

The Group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks 
to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group. Risk management is carried 
out  by  a  designated  department  under  policies  approved  by  management.  The  responsible  department 
identifies, evaluates and manages financial risks in close cooperation with the Group’s operating units. The 
Group  provides  written  principles  for  overall  risk  management,  as  well  as  written  policies  covering  specific 
areas, such as managing market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk.

The Group manages financial risk by holding an appropriately diversified investment portfolio as permitted 
by  laws  and  regulations  designed  to  reduce  the  risk  of  concentration  in  any  one  specific  industry  or  issuer. 
The  structure  of  the  investment  portfolio  held  by  the  Group  is  disclosed  in  Note  9  to  the  consolidated 
financial statements.

The sensitivity analyses below are based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions 
constant.  In  practice  this  is  unlikely  to  occur,  and  changes  in  some  of  the  assumptions  may  be  correlated, 
such as change in interest rate and change in market price.

4.2.1 Market risk

(i) 

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate 
due  to  changes  in  market  interest  rates.  The  Group’s  financial  assets  are  principally  composed  of 
term  deposits,  debt  securities  and  loans  which  are  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk.  Changes  in  the  level 
of  interest  rates  could  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Group’s  overall  investment  return.  Many  of 
the Group’s insurance policies offer guaranteed returns to policyholders. These guarantees expose the 
Group to interest rate risk.

The Group manages interest rate risk through adjustments to portfolio structure and duration, and, to 
the extent possible, by monitoring the mean duration of its assets and liabilities.

The  sensitivity  analysis  for  interest  rate  risk  illustrates  how  changes  in  interest  income  and  the  fair 
value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest 
rates at the end of the reporting period.

As  at  31  December  2014,  if  market  interest  rates  were  50  basis  points  higher  or  lower  with  all 
other  variables  held  constant,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  RMB883  million  (as  at 
31  December  2013:  RMB934  million)  higher  or  lower,  respectively,  mainly  as  a  result  of  higher  or 
lower  interest  income  on  floating  rate  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  term  deposits,  statutory  deposits  – 
restricted,  debt  securities  and  loans  and  the  fair  value  losses  or  gains  on  debt  securities  assets  at  fair 
value  through  profit  or  loss.  Pre-tax  available-for-sale  reserve  in  equity  would  have  been  RMB6,675 
million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB10,720  million)  lower  or  higher  respectively,  as  a  result  of  a 
decrease or increase in the fair value of available-for-sale securities.

136

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.1 Market risk (continued)

(ii) 

Price risk

Price  risk  arises  mainly  from  the  volatility  of  prices  of  equity  securities  held  by  the  Group.  Prices  of 
equity securities are determined by market forces. The Group is subject to increased price risk largely 
because China’s stock markets are relatively volatile.

The  Group  manages  price  risk  by  holding  an  appropriately  diversified  investment  portfolio  as 
permitted  by  laws  and  regulations  designed  to  reduce  the  risk  of  concentration  in  any  one  specific 
industry or issuer.

As  at  31  December  2014,  if  all  the  Group’s  equity  securities’  prices  had  increased  or  decreased  by 
10%  with  all  other  variables  held  constant,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  RMB1,054 
million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB164  million)  higher  or  lower,  respectively,  mainly  as  a  result 
of  an  increase  or  decrease  in  fair  value  of  equity  securities  excluding  available-for-sale  securities.  Pre-
tax available-for-sale reserve in equity would have been RMB12,881 million (as at 31 December 2013: 
RMB15,154 million) higher or lower, respectively, as a result of an increase or decrease in fair value of 
available-for-sale  equity  securities.  If  prices  decreased  to  the  extent  that  the  impairment  criteria  were 
met,  a  portion  of  such  decrease  of  the  available-for-sale  equity  securities  would  reduce  pre-tax  profit 
through impairment.

(iii)  Currency risk

Currency risk is the volatility of fair value or future cash flows of financial instruments resulted from 
changes  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates.  The  Group  operates  principally  in  the  PRC  except  for 
limited  exposure  to  foreign  exchange  rate  risk  arising  primarily  with  respect  to  financial  assets  and 
financial liabilities denominated in US dollar or HK dollar or GB pound.

137

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.1 Market risk (continued)

(iii)  Currency risk (continued)

The  following  table  summarizes  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  denominated  in  currencies 
other than RMB as at 31 December 2014 and 2013, expressed in RMB equivalent:

As at 31 December 2014 

US dollar 

HK dollar 

GB pound 

Total

Financial assets
Equity securities
  – Available-for-sale securities 
Debt securities
  – Held-to-maturity securities 
  – Available-for-sale securities 
Term deposits 
Cash and cash equivalents 

– 

54 
260 
8,774 
3,662 

8,303 

– 
– 
– 
68 

Total 

12,750 

8,371 

Financial liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Total 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
54 

54 

2,623 

2,623 

As at 31 December 2013 

US dollar 

HK dollar 

GB pound 

Financial assets
Equity securities
  – Available-for-sale securities 
Debt securities
  – Held-to-maturity securities 
  – Available-for-sale securities 
Term deposits 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

2,985 

– 
– 
– 
222 

3,207 

39 
266 
10,400 
1,823 

12,528 

138

8,303

54
260
8,774
3,784

21,175

2,623

2,623

Total

2,985

39
266
10,400
2,045

15,735

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.1 Market risk (continued)

(iii)  Currency risk (continued)

As  at  31  December  2014,  if  RMB  had  strengthened  or  weakened  by  10%  against  US  dollar,  HK 
dollar  and  GB  pound,  with  all  other  variables  held  constant,  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have 
been RMB1,025 million (as at 31 December 2013: RMB1,275 million) lower or higher, respectively, 
mainly as a result of foreign exchange losses or gains on translation of US dollar, HK dollar and GB 
pound  denominated  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  other  than  the  available-for-sale  equity 
securities  included  in  the  table  above.  Pre-tax  available-for-sale  reserve  in  equity  would  have  been 
RMB830 million (as at 31 December 2013: RMB299 million) lower or higher, respectively, as a result 
of foreign exchange losses or gains on translation of the available-for-sale equity securities. The actual 
exchange gain in 2014 was RMB268 million (2013: exchange loss of RMB437 million).

4.2.2 Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that one party of a financial transaction or the issuer of a financial instrument will fail 
to discharge its obligation and cause another party to incur a financial loss. Because the Group’s investment 
portfolio is restricted to the types of investments as permitted by China Insurance Regulatory Commission 
(“CIRC”) and a significant portion of the portfolio is in government bonds, government agency bonds and 
term deposits with the state-owned commercial banks, the Group’s overall exposure to credit risk is relatively 
low.

Credit  risk  is  controlled  by  the  application  of  credit  approvals,  limits  and  monitoring  procedures.  The 
Group  manages  credit  risk  through  in-house  research  and  analysis  of  the  Chinese  economy  and  the 
underlying obligors and transaction structures. Where appropriate, the Group obtains collateral in the form 
of rights to cash, securities, property and equipment.

Credit risk exposure

The  carrying  amount  of  financial  assets  included  on  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position 
represents the maximum credit risk exposure at the reporting date without taking account of any collateral 
held  or  other  credit  enhancements  attached.  The  Group  has  no  credit  risk  exposure  relating  to  off-balance 
sheet items as at 31 December 2014 and 2013.

Collateral and other credit enhancements

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are pledged by counterpart’s debt securities or term deposits 
of  which  the  Group  could  take  the  ownership  if  the  owner  of  the  collateral  default.  Policy  loans  and 
premium receivables are collateralized by their policies’ cash value according to the terms and conditions of 
policy loan contracts and policy contracts, respectively.

139

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.2 Credit risk (continued)

Credit quality

The  Group’s  debt  securities  investment  mainly  includes  government  bonds,  government  agency  bonds, 
corporate bonds and subordinated bonds or debts, and most of the debt securities are guaranteed by either 
the Chinese government or Chinese government controlled financial institutions. As at 31 December 2014, 
99.1%  (as  at  31  December  2013:  99.1%)  of  the  corporate  bonds  held  by  the  Group  had  credit  rating  of 
AA/A-2  or  above.  As  at  31  December  2014,  99.6%  (as  at  31  December  2013:  99.7%)  of  the  subordinated 
bonds or debts held by the Group either have credit rating of AA/A-2 or above, or were issued by national 
commercial  banks.  The  bonds  or  debts’  credit  rating  is  assigned  by  a  qualified  appraisal  institution  in  the 
PRC at the time of its issuance and updated at each reporting date.

As  at  31  December  2014,  99.7%  (as  at  31  December  2013:  99.6%)  of  the  Group’s  bank  deposits  are  with 
the  four  largest  state-owned  commercial  banks,  other  national  commercial  banks  and  China  Securities 
Depository  and  Clearing  Corporation  Limited  (“CSDCC”)  in  the  PRC.  The  Group  believes  these 
commercial banks, and CSDCC have a high credit quality. The Group’s other loans excluding policyholder 
loans,  are  guaranteed  by  third  parties  or  with  pledge,  or  have  the  national  annual  budget  income  as  the 
source of repayment, or have higher credit rating borrowers. As a result, the Group concludes that the credit 
risk  associated  with  term  deposits  and  accrued  investment  income  thereof,  statutory  deposits  –  restricted, 
other  loans,  and  cash  and  cash  equivalents  will  not  cause  a  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  consolidated 
financial statements as at 31 December 2014 and 2013.

The  credit  risk  associated  with  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,  policy  loans  and  premium 
receivables  will  not  cause  a  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial  statements  taking  into 
consideration their collateral held and maturity term of no more than one year as at 31 December 2014 and 
2013.

4.2.3 Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to obtain funds at a reasonable funding cost when required 
to meet a repayment obligation and fund its asset portfolio within a certain time.

In  the  normal  course  of  business,  the  Group  attempts  to  match  the  maturity  of  financial  assets  to  the 
maturity of insurance and financial liabilities.

140

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.3 Liquidity risk (continued)

The following tables set forth the contractual and expected undiscounted cash flows for financial assets and 
liabilities and insurance liabilities:

Contractual and expected cash flows (undiscounted)

As at 31 December 2014 

Financial assets

Contractual cash inflows
  Equity securities 
  Debt securities 
  Loans 
  Term deposits 
  Statutory deposits – restricted 
  Securities purchased under 
  agreements to resell 
  Accrued investment income 
  Premiums receivable 
  Cash and cash equivalents 

Carrying 
amount 

Without 
maturity 

  Later than 1 year  Later than 3 years 
but not later 
 than 5 years 

 but not later  
than 3 years 

Not later  
than 1 year 

236,030 
941,836 
166,453 
690,156 
6,153 

11,925 
44,350 
11,166 
47,034 

236,030 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
72,234 
85,652 
212,356 
182 

11,925 
31,928 
11,166 
47,034 

– 
186,342 
27,423 
367,662 
2,620 

– 
8,413 
– 
– 

– 
186,285 
44,344 
155,236 
4,434 

– 
4,009 
– 
– 

Later than 
5 years

–
982,202
36,144
26,621
–

–
–
–
–

Subtotal 

2,155,103 

236,030 

472,477 

592,460 

394,308 

1,044,967

Financial and insurance liabilities

Expected cash outflows
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 

Contractual cash outflows
  Securities sold under

  agreements to repurchase 
  Financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss 
  Annuity and other insurance

  balances payable 
Interest-bearing loans and
  borrowings 
  Bonds payable 

(60,896) 
(14,703) 

(118,434) 
(15,192) 

(22,634) 
(9,827) 

(2,463,567)
(84,013)

1,603,446 
72,275 

46,089 

– 
– 

– 

(46,089) 

10,890 

(10,890) 

– 

25,617 

2,623 
67,989 

– 

– 
– 

(25,617) 

(106) 
(3,424) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(213) 
(73,198) 

(2,783) 
– 

–

–

–

–
–

Subtotal 

1,828,929 

(10,890) 

(150,835) 

(207,037) 

(35,244) 

(2,547,580)

Net cash inflows/(outflows) 

326,174 

225,140 

321,642 

385,423 

359,064 

(1,502,613)

141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.3 Liquidity risk (continued)

Contractual and expected cash flows (undiscounted)

As at 31 December 2013 

Financial assets

Contractual cash inflows
  Equity securities 
  Debt securities 
  Loans 
  Term deposits 
  Statutory deposits – restricted 
  Securities purchased under
  agreements to resell 
  Accrued investment income 
  Premiums receivable 
  Cash and cash equivalents 

Carrying 
amount 

Without  
maturity 

  Later than 1 year  Later than 3 years 
but not later 
 than 5 years 

 but not later  
than 3 years 

Not later  
than 1 year 

154,957 
873,817 
118,626 
664,174 
6,153 

8,295 
34,717 
9,876 
21,330 

154,957 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
67,013 
63,142 
87,700 
378 

8,295 
28,358 
9,876 
21,330 

– 
142,017 
16,740 
355,944 
891 

– 
32 
– 
– 

– 
201,242 
26,382 
295,967 
6,253 

– 
6,327 
– 
– 

Later than 
5 years

–
994,360
29,326
10,050
–

–
–
–
–

Subtotal 

1,891,945 

154,957 

286,092 

515,624 

536,171 

1,033,736

Financial and insurance liabilities

Expected cash outflows
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 

Contractual cash outflows
  Securities sold under

  agreements to repurchase 
  Annuity and other insurance

  balances payable 

  Bonds payable 

1,494,497 
65,087 

20,426 

23,179 
67,985 

Subtotal 

1,671,174 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

(30,721) 
(14,692) 

(120,270) 
(11,642) 

(109,561) 
(8,564) 

(2,237,733)
(77,315)

(20,426) 

– 

– 

(23,179) 
(3,424) 

– 
(36,848) 

– 
(39,774) 

–

–
–

(92,442) 

(168,760) 

(157,899) 

(2,315,048)

Net cash inflows/(outflows) 

220,771 

154,957 

193,650 

346,864 

378,272 

(1,281,312)

142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.3 Liquidity risk (continued)

The  amounts  set  forth  in  the  tables  above  for  insurance  and  investment  contracts  in  each  column  are  the 
cash  flows  representing  expected  future  benefit  payments  taking  into  consideration  of  future  premiums 
payments  or  deposits  from  policyholders.  The  excess  cash  inflows  from  matured  financial  assets  will 
be  reinvested  to  cover  any  future  liquidity  exposures.  The  estimate  is  subject  to  assumptions  related  to 
mortality, morbidity, lapse rate, loss ratio and expense and other assumptions. Actual experience may differ 
from estimates.

The  liquidity  analysis  above  does  not  include  policyholder  dividends  payable  amounting  to  RMB74,745 
million  as  at  31  December  2014  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB49,536  million).  At  31  December  2014, 
declared  dividends  of  RMB44,515  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB33,671  million)  included  in 
policyholder  dividends  payable  have  a  maturity  not  later  than  one  year.  For  the  remaining  policyholder 
dividends  payable,  the  amount  and  timing  of  the  cash  flows  are  indeterminate  due  to  the  uncertainty  of 
future experiences including investment returns and are subject to future declarations by the Group.

Although  all  investment  contracts  with  DPF  and  investment  contracts  without  DPF  contain  contractual 
options  to  surrender  that  can  be  exercised  immediately  by  all  policyholders  at  any  time,  the  Group’s 
expected  cash  flows  as  shown  in  the  above  tables  are  based  on  past  experience  and  future  expectations. 
Should these contracts were surrendered immediately, it would cause a cash outflow of RMB47,589 million 
and  RMB24,064  million,  respectively  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  (2013:  RMB46,196  million 
and RMB18,364 million, respectively), payable within one year.

4.2.4 Capital management

The  Group’s  objectives  for  managing  capital,  which  is  actual  capital  calculated  as  the  difference  between 
admitted  assets  (defined  by  the  CIRC)  and  the  admitted  liabilities  (defined  by  the  CIRC),  are  to  comply 
with the insurance capital requirements required by the CIRC to meet the minimum capital and safeguard 
the  Group’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern  so  that  it  can  continue  to  provide  returns  for  equity 
holders and benefits for other stakeholders.

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  other  local  capital  requirements,  such  as  statutory  deposits  –  restricted 
requirement,  statutory  reserve  fund  requirement,  general  reserve  requirement  and  statutory  insurance  fund 
requirement discussed in detail in Note 9.4, Note 35 and Note 20, respectively.

The  Group  ensures  its  continuous  and  full  compliance  with  the  regulations  mainly  through  monitoring  its 
quarterly and annual solvency ratio, as well as the solvency ratio based on dynamic solvency testing.

143

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.4 Capital management (continued)

The table below summarises the solvency ratio of the Company, the actual capital held against the minimum 
required capital:

Actual capital 
Minimum capital 
Solvency ratio 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

236,151 
80,193 
294% 

168,501
74,485
226%

According  to  “Solvency  Regulations  of  Insurance  Companies”,  the  solvency  ratio  is  computed  by  dividing 
the  actual  capital  by  the  minimum  capital.  The  CIRC  closely  monitors  those  insurance  companies  with 
a  solvency  ratio  less  than  100%  and  may,  depending  on  the  individual  circumstances,  undertakes  certain 
regulatory measures, including but not limited to restriction of payment of dividends. Insurance companies 
with a solvency ratio between 100% and 150% will be required to submit and implement plans preventing 
capital deterioration to an inadequate level. Insurance companies with a solvency ratio above 100% but with 
significant solvency risk identified would be required to take necessary rectifying actions.

4.3  Fair value hierarchy

Level  1  fair  value  is  based  on  quoted  prices  (unadjusted)  in  active  markets  for  identical  assets  or  liabilities 
that the entity can obtain at the measurement date.

Other  than  Level  1  quoted  prices,  Level  2  fair  value  is  based  on  valuation  techniques  using  significant 
inputs,  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  being  measured,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  for  substantially  the 
full term of the asset through corroboration with observable market data. Observable inputs generally used 
to  measure  the  fair  value  of  securities  classified  as  Level  2  include  quoted  market  prices  for  similar  assets 
in  active  markets;  quoted  market  prices  in  markets  that  are  not  active  for  identical  or  similar  assets  and 
other  market  observable  inputs.  This  level  includes  the  debt  securities  for  which  quotations  are  available 
from pricing services providers. Fair value provided by pricing services providers are subject to a number of 
validation  procedures  by  management.  These  procedures  include  a  review  of  the  valuation  models  utilised 
and the results of these models, and as well as the recalculation of prices obtained from pricing services at the 
end of each reporting period.

Under  certain  conditions,  the  Group  may  not  receive  price  from  independent  third  party  pricing  services. 
In  this  instance,  the  Group’s  valuation  team  may  choose  to  apply  internally  developed  valuation  method 
to the assets or liabilities being measured, determine the main inputs for valuation, and analyse the change 
of  the  valuation  and  report  it  to  management.  Key  inputs  involved  in  internal  valuation  services  are  not 
based on observable market data. They reflect assumptions made by management based on judgements and 
experiences.The assets or liabilities valued by this method are generally classified as Level 3.

144

 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

As at 31 December 2014, assets classified as Level 1 accounted for approximately 33.91% of assets measured 
at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements classified as Level 1 include certain debt securities, 
equity  securities  that  are  traded  in  an  active  exchange  market  or  interbank  market  and  open-ended  funds. 
The  Group  considers  a  combination  of  certain  factors  to  determine  whether  a  market  for  a  financial 
instrument  is  active,  including  the  occurrence  of  trades  within  the  specific  period,  the  respective  trading 
volume,  and  the  degree  which  the  implied  yields  for  a  debt  security  for  observed  transactions  differs  from 
the  Group’s  understanding  of  the  current  relevant  market  rates  and  information.  Trading  prices  from  the 
Chinese interbank market are determined by both trading counterparties and can be observed publicly. The 
Company adopted this price of the debt securities traded on the Chinese interbank market at the reporting 
date  as  their  fair  market  value  and  classified  the  investments  as  Level  1.  Open-ended  funds  also  have 
active  markets.  Fund  management  companies  publish  the  net  asset  value  of  these  funds  on  their  websites 
on  each  trade  date.  Investors  subscribe  for  and  redeem  units  of  these  funds  in  accordance  with  the  fund 
net  asset  value  published  by  the  fund  management  companies  on  each  trade  date.  The  Company  adopted 
the  unadjusted  net  asset  value  of  the  funds  at  reporting  dates  as  their  fair  market  value  and  classified  the 
investments as Level 1.

As at 31 December 2014, assets classified as Level 2 accounted for approximately 62.58% of assets measured 
at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis.  They  primarily  include  certain  debt  securities  and  equity  securities. 
Valuations  are  generally  obtained  from  third  party  pricing  services  for  identical  or  comparable  assets,  or 
through the use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs, or recent quoted market prices. 
Valuation service providers typically gather, analyze and interpret information related to market transactions 
and other key valuation model inputs from multiple sources, and through the use of widely accepted internal 
valuation  models,  provide  a  theoretical  quote  on  various  securities.  Debt  securities  are  classified  as  Level  2 
when  they  are  valued  at  recent  quoted  prices  from  the  Chinese  interbank  market  or  from  valuation  service 
providers.

At 31 December 2014, assets classified as Level 3 accounted for approximately 3.51% of assets measured at 
fair value on a recurring basis. They primarily include unlisted equity securities and unlisted debt securities. 
Fair  values  are  determined  using  valuation  techniques,  including  discounted  cash  flow  valuations,  market 
comparison approach, etc.

For  the  accounting  policies  regarding  the  determination  of  fair  values  of  financial  assets  and  liabilities,  see 
Note 3.2.

145

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The  following  table  presents  the  Group’s  quantitative  disclosures  of  fair  value  measurement  hierarchy  for 
assets and liabilities measured at fair value as at 31 December 2014:

Fair value measurement using

Quoted prices 
in active 
market 
Level 1 
RMB million 

Significant 
observable 
inputs 
Level 2 
RMB million 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3 
RMB million 

Total
RMB million

Assets measured at fair value
Available-for-sale securities
  – Equity securities 
  – Debt securities 
Securities at fair value 
through profit or loss

  – Equity securities 
  – Debt securities 

151,817 
25,437 

23,479 
369,403 

22,716 
18,805 

582 
10,407 

21,635 
501 

542 
– 

196,931
395,341

23,840
29,212

Total 

218,775 

403,871 

22,678 

645,324

Liabilities measured at fair value
Financial liabilities at fair value 

through profit or loss 

Investment contracts at fair value 

through profit or loss 

Total 

(10,890) 

(21) 

(10,911) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(10,890)

(21)

(10,911)

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 assets for the year ended 31 December 2014:

Available-for-sale securities 

Debt securities 
RMB million 

Equity securities 
RMB million 

Securities at fair
value through
profit or loss 
Equity securities 
RMB million 

Total

RMB million

Opening balance 
Purchases 
Transferred into Level 3 
Transferred out of Level 3 
Total gains/(losses) recorded in 
  profit or loss 
Total gains/(losses) recorded in 
  other comprehensive income 

301 
200 
– 
– 

– 

– 

13,588 
5,935 
363 
(377) 

– 

2,126 

Closing balance 

501 

21,635 

– 
– 
473 
– 

69 

– 

542 

13,889
6,135
836
(377)

69

2,126

22,678

146

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The  following  table  presents  the  Group’s  quantitative  disclosures  of  fair  value  measurement  hierarchy  for 
assets and liabilities measured at fair value as at 31 December 2013:

Fair value measurement using

Quoted prices 
in active 
market 
Level 1 
RMB million 

Significant 
observable 
inputs 
Level 2 
RMB million 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3 
RMB million 

134,085 
34,020 

3,868 
305,665 

13,588 
301 

3,416 
9,333 

– 
21,423 

– 
– 

Total
RMB million

151,541
339,986

3,416
30,756

Assets measured at fair value
Available-for-sale securities
  – Equity securities 
  – Debt securities 
Securities at fair value through 
  profit or loss
  – Equity securities 
  – Debt securities 

Total 

180,854 

330,956 

13,889 

525,699

Liabilities measured at fair value
Investment contracts at fair value 

through profit or loss 

Total 

(25) 

(25) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(25)

(25)

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 assets for the year ended 31 December 2013:

Available-for-sale securities 

Securities at fair 
value through
profit or loss 

Debt securities 
RMB million 

Equity securities 
RMB million 

Equity securities 
RMB million 

Total

RMB million

Opening balance 
Purchases 
Transferred into Level 3 
Transferred out of Level 3 
Total gains/(losses) recorded in 
  profit or loss 
Total gains/(losses) recorded in 
  other comprehensive income 

301 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

3,649 
9,349 
362 
(205) 

(144) 

577 

Closing balance 

301 

13,588 

85 
– 
– 
(85) 

– 

– 

– 

4,035
9,349
362
(290)

(144)

577

13,889

147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

4 

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The assets whose fair value measurements are classified under Level 3 above do not have any material impact 
on the profit or loss of the Group.

For the assets and liabilities measured at fair value, during the year ended 31 December 2014, RMB22,436 
million (2013: RMB10,194 million) debt securities were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 within the fair 
value  hierarchy,  whereas  RMB10,344  million  (2013:  RMB13,368  million)  debt  securities  were  transferred 
from Level 2 to Level 1. No material equity securities were transferred between Level 1 and Level 2.

For  the  years  ended  31  December  2014  and  2013,  there  were  no  significant  changes  in  the  business  or 
economic circumstances that affected the fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. There were 
also no reclassifications of financial assets.

As  at  31  December  2014  and  2013,  unobservable  inputs  such  as  weighted  average  cost  of  capital  and 
liquidity  discount  were  used  in  the  valuation  of  assets  classified  as  Level  3  of  fair  value.  The  fair  value  was 
not significantly sensitive to reasonable changes in these unobservable inputs.

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

5.1  Operating segments

The Group operates in four operating segments:

(i) 

Life insurance business (Life)

Life  insurance  business  relates  primarily  to  the  sale  of  life  insurance  policies,  including  those  life 
insurance policies without significant insurance risk transferred.

(ii)  Health insurance business (Health)

Health  insurance  business  relates  primarily  to  the  sale  of  health  insurance  policies,  including  those 
health insurance policies without significant insurance risk transferred.

(iii)  Accident insurance business (Accident)

Accident insurance business relates primarily to the sale of accident insurance policies.

148

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

5.1  Operating segments (continued)

(iv)  Other businesses (Others)

Other businesses relate primarily to income and allocated cost of insurance agency business in respect 
of services to CLIC as described in Note 33, share of results of associates and joint ventures, income 
and expenses of subsidiaries, and unallocated income and expenditure of the Group.

In  order  to  better  reflect  the  changes  in  the  Group’s  external  environment  and  business  structure,  and 
the  objectives  of  future  development,  as  well  as  providing  users  of  financial  statements  with  more  useful 
information,  the  Group  has  adjusted  its  internal  reporting  method  of  segments  in  2014,  and  realigned  the 
composition  of  its  reporting  segments  by  changing  the  previously  reported  individual  life  insurance,  group 
life  insurance,  short-term  insurance,  supplementary  major  medical  insurance  and  other  segments  into  four 
newly  identified  segments,  namely  life  insurance,  health  insurance,  accident  insurance  and  others.  The 
Group’s  management  has  conducted  analysis  and  evaluation  on  the  operating  results  based  on  the  new 
reporting segments.

The  Group  has  restated  prior  year’s  comparative  amounts  based  on  the  adjusted  operating  segments  as 
follows.

5.2  Allocation basis of income and expenses

Investment  income,  net  realised  gains  and  impairment  on  financial  assets,  net  fair  value  gains/(losses) 
through  profit  or  loss  and  foreign  exchange  gains/(losses)  within  other  expenses  are  allocated  among 
segments in proportion to the respective segment’s average liabilities of insurance contracts and investment 
contracts  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  year.  Administrative  expenses  are  allocated  among  segments  in 
proportion to the unit cost of respective products in the different segments. Unallocated other income and 
other expenses are presented in the “Others” segment directly. Income tax is not allocated.

5.3  Allocation basis of assets and liabilities

Financial  assets  and  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  are  allocated  among  segments  in 
proportion to the respective segment’s average liabilities of insurance contracts and investment contracts at 
the  beginning  and  end  of  the  year.  Insurance  and  investment  contracts  liabilities  are  presented  under  the 
respective segments. The remaining assets and liabilities are not allocated.

149

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Life 

Health 

Accident 

Others 

Elimination 

Total

RMB million

Revenues
Gross written premiums 
  – Term life 
  – Whole life 
  – Endowment 
  – Annuity 
Net premiums earned 
Investment income 
Net realised gains and impairment on financial assets 
Net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss 
Other income 

Including: inter-segment revenue 

285,619 
2,871 
29,767 
217,662 
35,319 
285,574 
89,814 
6,970 
6,179 
898 
– 

33,192 
– 
– 
– 
– 
32,624 
2,236 
174 
154 
67 
– 

12,199 
– 
– 
– 
– 
11,907 
315 
24 
22 
– 
– 

Segment revenues 

389,435 

35,255 

12,268 

Benefits, claims and expenses
Insurance benefits and claims expenses
  Life insurance death and other benefits 
  Accident and health claims and claim 

  adjustment expenses 
Increase in insurance contract liabilities 

Investment contract benefits 
Policyholder dividends resulting from 
  participation in profits 
Underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
Finance costs 
Administrative expenses 
Other expenses 

Including: inter-segment expenses 
Statutory insurance fund contribution 

(191,291) 

(1,355) 

(13) 

– 
(97,577) 
(1,806) 

(24,742) 
(18,126) 
(4,451) 
(16,677) 
(3,608) 
(903) 
(506) 

(12,883) 
(8,196) 
(152) 

(124) 
(4,770) 
(111) 
(4,092) 
(204) 
(22) 
(116) 

(3,869) 
(110) 
– 

– 
(3,354) 
(16) 
(2,576) 
(705) 
(3) 
(79) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,183 
(48) 
(547) 
4,148 
928 

4,736 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
(897) 
(148) 
(2,087) 
(562) 
– 
– 

Segment benefits, claims and expenses 

(358,784) 

(32,003) 

(10,722) 

(3,694) 

Share of profit of associates and joint ventures 

– 

– 

– 

30,651 

3,252 

1,546 

3,911 

4,953 

Segment results 

Income tax 

Net profit 

Attributable to
  – Equity holders of the Company 
  – Non-controlling interests 

Other comprehensive income attributable to 
  equity holders of the Company 

Depreciation and amortisation 

– 
–
–
–
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
(928) 
(928) 

331,010

330,105
93,548
7,120
5,808
4,185
–

(928) 

440,766

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
928 
928 
– 

928 

– 

– 

(192,659)

(16,752)
(105,883)
(1,958)

(24,866)
(27,147)
(4,726)
(25,432)
(4,151)
–
(701)

(404,275)

3,911

40,402

(7,888)

32,514

32,211
303

39,232

2,124

38,270 

1,427 

951 

324 

134 

221 

(123) 

152 

– 

– 

150

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Life 

Health 

Accident 

Others 

Elimination 

Total

As at 31 December 2014

RMB million

Assets
Financial assets (including cash and 
  cash equivalents) 
Others 

Segment assets 

Unallocated
Property, plant and equipment 
Others 

Total 

Liabilities
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Others 

Segment liabilities 

Unallocated
Others 

Total 

2,059,641 
7,881 

50,013 
3,985 

2,067,522 

53,998 

6,961 
312 

7,273 

27,421 
44,390 

71,811 

1,558,714 
63,710 
43,310 
90,703 

38,872 
8,565 
1,076 
2,732 

1,756,437 

51,245 

5,860 
– 
152 
372 

6,384 

– 
– 
1,551 
13,513 

15,064 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

2,144,036
56,568

2,200,604

25,348
20,615

2,246,567

1,603,446
72,275
46,089
107,320

1,829,130

130,106

1,959,236

151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Revenues
Gross written premiums 
  – Term life 
  – Whole life 
  – Endowment 
  – Annuity 
Net premiums earned 
Investment income 
Net realised gains and impairment on financial assets 
Net fair value gains/(losses) through profit or loss 
Other income 

Including: inter-segment revenue 

Life 

290,778 
2,327 
29,782 
209,034 
49,635 
290,738 
80,640 
5,679 
149 
870 
– 

For the year ended 31 December 2013 (restated)
Health 

Accident 

Others 

Elimination 

RMB million

24,713 
– 
– 
– 
– 
24,180 
1,665 
117 
3 
66 
– 

10,799 
– 
– 
– 
– 
9,895 
253 
18 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
258 
(21) 
(15) 
4,266 
878 

4,488 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
(741) 
(8) 
(1,872) 
(926) 
– 
– 

Total

326,290

324,813
82,816
5,793
137
4,324
–

– 
–
–
–
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
(878) 
(878) 

(878) 

417,883

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
878 
878 
– 

878 

– 

– 

(193,671)

(11,263)
(107,354)
(1,818)

(18,423)
(25,690)
(4,032)
(24,805)
(3,864)
–
(637)

(391,557)

3,125

29,451

(4,443)

25,008

24,765
243

Segment revenues 

378,076 

26,031 

10,166 

Benefits, claims and expenses
Insurance benefits and claims expenses
  Life insurance death and other benefits 
  Accident and health claims and claim 

  adjustment expenses 
Increase in insurance contract liabilities 

Investment contract benefits 
Policyholder dividends resulting from 
  participation in profits 
Underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
Finance costs 
Administrative expenses 
Other expenses 

Including: inter-segment expenses 
Statutory insurance fund contribution 

(192,621) 

(1,047) 

(3) 

– 
(101,311) 
(1,749) 

(18,369) 
(17,529) 
(3,931) 
(16,968) 
(3,090) 
(857) 
(470) 

(8,027) 
(5,981) 
(69) 

(54) 
(4,408) 
(81) 
(3,384) 
(149) 
(18) 
(92) 

(3,236) 
(62) 
– 

– 
(3,012) 
(12) 
(2,581) 
(577) 
(3) 
(75) 

Segment benefits, claims and expenses 

(356,038) 

(23,292) 

(9,558) 

(3,547) 

Share of profit of associates and joint ventures 

– 

– 

22,038 

2,739 

– 

608 

3,125 

4,066 

Segment results 

Income tax 

Net profit 

Attributable to
  – Equity holders of the Company 
  – Non-controlling interests 

Other comprehensive income attributable to 
  equity holders of the Company 

Depreciation and amortisation 

(20,696) 

1,392 

(428) 

271 

(66) 

221 

(372) 

142 

– 

– 

(21,562)

2,026

152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Elimination 

Total

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

1,882,069
45,766

1,927,835

23,393
21,713

1,972,941

1,494,497
65,087
20,426
91,643

1,671,653

78,703

1,750,356

5 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Life 

As at 31 December 2013 (restated)
Others 

Accident 

Health 

RMB million

1,831,849 
7,991 

1,839,840 

38,363 
2,609 

40,972 

5,578 
303 

5,881 

6,279 
34,863 

41,142 

1,461,121 
57,991 
19,592 
89,003 

1,627,707 

28,229 
7,096 
404 
2,318 

38,047 

5,147 
– 
62 
322 

5,531 

– 
– 
368 
– 

368 

Assets
Financial assets (including cash and 
  cash equivalents) 
Others 

Segment assets 

Unallocated 
Property, plant and equipment 
Others 

Total 

Liabilities
Insurance contracts 
Investment contracts 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Others 

Segment liabilities 

Unallocated
Others 

Total 

153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

6 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group

Office
equipment
furniture and 
fixtures 

Buildings 

Motor  Assets under 
vehicles 

Leasehold
construction  improvements 

Total

RMB million

Cost
As at 1 January 2014 
Transfers upon completion 
Additions 
Disposals 

19,949 
2,781 
175 
(128) 

6,730 
268 
361 
(683) 

1,448 
– 
2 
(58) 

6,125 
(3,194) 
3,614 
(212) 

1,166 
100 
13 
(33) 

35,418
(45)
4,165
(1,114)

As at 31 December 2014 

22,777 

6,676 

1,392 

6,333 

1,246 

38,424

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

(5,910) 
(788) 
58 

(4,349) 
(778) 
654 

(883) 
(167) 
54 

As at 31 December 2014 

(6,640) 

(4,473) 

(996) 

Impairment
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

As at 31 December 2014 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2014 

(25) 
– 
1 

(24) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

14,014 

2,381 

As at 31 December 2014 

16,113 

2,203 

– 
– 
– 

– 

565 

396 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(858) 
(111) 
26 

(12,000)
(1,844)
792

(943) 

(13,052)

– 
– 
– 

– 

(25)
–
1

(24)

6,125 

308 

23,393

6,333 

303 

25,348

154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

6 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Group (continued)

Office
equipment
furniture and 
fixtures 

Buildings 

Motor 
vehicles 

Assets under 
construction 

Leasehold
improvements 

Total

RMB million

Cost
As at 1 January 2013 
Transfers upon completion 
Additions 
Transfer to investment 
  properties 
Disposals 

19,247 
1,263 
127 

(624) 
(64) 

6,282 
18 
822 

– 
(392) 

1,531 
– 
155 

– 
(238) 

5,126 
(1,389) 
3,373 

(811) 
(174) 

1,080 
108 
– 

– 
(22) 

33,266
–
4,477

(1,435)
(890)

As at 31 December 2013 

19,949 

6,730 

1,448 

6,125 

1,166 

35,418

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer to investment 
  properties 
Disposals 

(5,265) 
(744) 

(3,973) 
(727) 

83 
16 

– 
351 

(932) 
(169) 

– 
218 

As at 31 December 2013 

(5,910) 

(4,349) 

(883) 

Impairment
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer to investment 
  properties 
Disposals 

As at 31 December 2013 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2013 

(25) 
– 

– 
– 

(25) 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

13,957 

2,309 

As at 31 December 2013 

14,014 

2,381 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

599 

565 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

(736) 
(138) 

(10,906)
(1,778)

– 
16 

83
601

(858) 

(12,000)

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

(25)
–

–
–

(25)

5,126 

344 

22,335

6,125 

308 

23,393

155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

6 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Company

Office
equipment
furniture and  
fixtures 

Buildings 

Motor   Assets under 
vehicles 

Leasehold
construction   improvements 

Total

RMB million

Cost
As at 1 January 2014 
Transfers upon completion 
Additions 
Disposals 

19,286 
2,781 
175 
(128) 

6,606 
268 
336 
(683) 

1,429 
– 
2 
(58) 

6,125 
(3,194) 
3,613 
(212) 

1,142 
100 
12 
(32) 

34,588
(45)
4,138
(1,113)

As at 31 December 2014 

22,114 

6,527 

1,373 

6,332 

1,222 

37,568

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

(5,764) 
(762) 
57 

(4,275) 
(761) 
654 

(870) 
(166) 
54 

As at 31 December 2014 

(6,469) 

(4,382) 

(982) 

Impairment
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

As at 31 December 2014 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2014 

(25) 
– 
1 

(24) 

– 
– 
– 

– 

13,497 

2,331 

As at 31 December 2014 

15,621 

2,145 

– 
– 
– 

– 

559 

391 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(836) 
(108) 
25 

(11,745)
(1,797)
790

(919) 

(12,752)

– 
– 
– 

– 

(25)
–
1

(24)

6,125 

306 

22,818

6,332 

303 

24,792

156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

6 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Company (continued)

Office
equipment
furniture and 
fixtures 

Buildings 

Motor   Assets under 
construction 
vehicles 

Leasehold
improvements 

Total

RMB million

Cost
As at 1 January 2013 
Transfers upon completion 
Additions 
Transfer to investment
  properties 
Disposals 

18,676 
1,263 
113 

(702) 
(64) 

6,155 
18 
810 

– 
(377) 

1,511 
– 
155 

– 
(237) 

5,126 
(1,389) 
3,373 

(811) 
(174) 

1,056 
108 
– 

– 
(22) 

32,524
–
4,451

(1,513)
(874)

As at 31 December 2013 

19,286 

6,606 

1,429 

6,125 

1,142 

34,588

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer to investment
  properties 
Disposals 

(5,155) 
(719) 

(3,911) 
(713) 

96 
14 

– 
349 

(922) 
(166) 

– 
218 

As at 31 December 2013 

(5,764) 

(4,275) 

(870) 

Impairment
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer to investment
  properties 
Disposals 

As at 31 December 2013 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2013 

(25) 
– 

– 
– 

(25) 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

13,496 

2,244 

As at 31 December 2013 

13,497 

2,331 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

589 

559 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

(726) 
(126) 

(10,714)
(1,724)

– 
16 

96
597

(836) 

(11,745)

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

(25)
–

–
–

(25)

5,126 

330 

21,785

6,125 

306 

22,818

157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

7 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Group

Cost
As at 1 January 2014 
Additions 

As at 31 December 2014 

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 

As at 31 December 2014 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2014 

As at 31 December 2014 

Fair value
As at 1 January 2014 

As at 31 December 2014 

158

Buildings
RMB million

1,435
–

1,435

(106)
(46)

(152)

1,329

1,283

2,045

2,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Buildings
RMB Million

–
–
1,435

1,435

–
(23)
(83)

(106)

–

1,329

–

2,045

7 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)

Group (continued)

Cost
As at 1 January 2013 
Additions 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2013 

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2013 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2013 

As at 31 December 2013 

Fair value
As at 1 January 2013 

As at 31 December 2013 

159

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

7 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)

Company

Cost
As at 1 January 2014 
Additions 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2014 

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2014 
Charge for the year 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2014 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2014 

As at 31 December 2014 

Fair value
As at 1 January 2014 

As at 31 December 2014 

160

Buildings
RMB million

1,513
–
–

1,513

(119)
(49)
–

(168)

1,394

1,345

2,195

2,231

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

7 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)

Company (continued)

Cost
As at 1 January 2013 
Additions 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2013 

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2013 
Charge for the year 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 

As at 31 December 2013 

Net book value
As at 1 January 2013 

As at 31 December 2013 

Fair value
As at 1 January 2013 

As at 31 December 2013 

Buildings
RMB Million

–
–
1,513

1,513

–
(23)
(96)

(119)

–

1,394

–

2,195

The  Company  leases  part  of  its  investment  properties  to  its  subsidiaries  and  charges  rentals  based  on  the  areas 
occupied  by  the  respective  entities.  These  properties  are  categorized  as  property,  plant  and  equipment  of  the 
Group in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group has no restrictions on the reliability of its investment properties and no contractual obligations to each 
investment property purchased, constructed or developed or for repairs, maintenance and enhancements.

There were no investment properties without title certificates as at 31 December 2014.

The  fair  values  of  investment  properties  of  the  Group  and  the  Company  as  at  31  December  2014  amounted 
to  RMB2,080  million  and  RMB2,231  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB2,045  million  and  RMB2,195 
million),  respectively,  which  were  estimated  by  the  Company  having  regards  to  valuations  performed  by  an 
independent appraiser. The investment properties were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

7 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)
The Group uses the market comparison approach as its primary method to estimate the fair value of its investment 
properties.  Under  the  market  comparison  approach,  the  estimated  fair  value  of  a  property  is  based  on  the 
average  sale  price  of  comparable  properties  recently  sold,  with  consideration  of  the  comprehensive  adjustment 
coefficient, which is composed of a number of adjusting factors, including the time and the conditions of sale, the 
geographical location, age, decoration, floor area, lot size of the property and other factors.

Under  the  market  comparison  approach,  an  increase  (decrease)  in  the  comprehensive  adjustment  coefficient  will 
result in an increase (decrease) in the fair value of investment properties.

8 

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

Group

As at 1 January 
Investments in associates and joint ventures (i) 
Amount of additional investment cost below the fair value for identifiable net assets 
Scrip dividend (ii) 
Share of profit 
Other equity movements 
Dividend received (ii) 

As at 31 December 

Company

As at 1 January 
Investments in associates and joint ventures (i) 
Scrip dividend (ii) 

As at 31 December 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

34,775 
5,671 
– 
268 
3,911 
280 
(515) 

28,991
2,506
683
81
3,125
(332)
(279)

44,390 

34,775

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

23,976 
2,800 
268 

21,389
2,506
81

27,044 

23,976

162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

8 

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)
(i)  On 9 June 2014, the Company, CLIC and China Life Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited 
(“CLP&C”)  signed  a  contract,  pursuant  to  which  the  Company  and  CLIC  agreed  to  contribute  capital  of 
RMB2,800  million  and  RMB4,200  million  in  cash  respectively  to  CLP&C.  After  the  capital  injection,  the 
Company’s  percentage  of  holding  in  CLP&C  remained  unchanged  and  its  accumulated  investment  cost 
increased to RMB6,000 million.

On  20  June  2014,  King  Phoenix  Tree  Limited,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  invested  GBP275  million  to 
establish  10  Upper  Bank  Street  Separate  Limited  Partnership  (“10  Upper  Bank  Street  SLP”),  holding  70% 
of  the  total  partnership  interest.  According  to  the  partnership  agreement,  King  Phoenix  Tree  Limited,  as  a 
limited partner, cannot control 10 Upper Bank Street SLP on its own, but has joint control with the general 
partner. Therefore, 10 Upper Bank Street SLP was accounted for as a joint venture of the Group.

(ii) 

2013  final  dividend  of  HKD0.16  per  ordinary  share  was  approved  and  declared  in  the  annual  general 
meeting of Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Limited (“Sino-Ocean”) on 9 May 2014, and each shareholder could 
elect  to  receive  the  2013  final  dividend  in  cash  or  in  scrip  shares.  The  Company  elected  the  scrip  shares 
option and received scrip shares amounting to RMB268 million.

2014 interim dividend of HKD0.075 per ordinary share was approved and declared in the board meeting of 
Sino-Ocean on 19 September 2014, and each shareholder could elect to receive the 2014 interim dividend 
in  cash  or  in  scrip  shares.  The  Company  elected  the  cash  option  and  received  cash  dividend  amounting  to 
RMB131 million.

The  Group’s  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  are  unlisted  except  for  Sino-Ocean,  which  is  listed  in 
Hong Kong. As at 31 December 2014, the stock price of Sino-Ocean was HKD4.41 per share.

As at 31 December 2014, the Group owned the following associates and joint venture:

Name 

Country of incorporation 

Percentage of equity interest held

Associates
China Guangfa Bank Co. Ltd (“CGB”) 
CLP&C 
Sino-Ocean 
COFCO Futures Company Limited 

(“COFCO Futures”) 

Joint venture
10 Upper Bank Street SLP 

PRC 
PRC 
Hong Kong, PRC 

PRC 

Jersey Island 

As at 31 December 2013, the Group owned the following associates:

20.00%
40.00%
29.46%

35.00%

70.00%

Name 

CGB 
CLP&C 
Sino-Ocean 
COFCO Futures 

Country of incorporation 

Percentage of equity interest held

PRC 
PRC 
Hong Kong, PRC 
PRC 

163

20.00%
40.00%
29.02%
35.00%

 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

8 

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)
The following table illustrates the summarised financial information of the Group’s associates and joint venture as 
at 31 December 2014 and for the year ended 31 December 2014:

COFCO  10 Upper Bank
Street SLP
Futures 
Sino-Ocean 
RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million

CLP&C 

CGB 

Total assets 
Total liabilities 
Total equity 
Total equity attributable to equity holders 
  of the associates and joint ventures 
Total adjustments (i) 
Total equity attributable to equity holders 
  of the associates and joint ventures 
  after adjustments 
Proportion of the Group’s ownership 
Carrying amount of the investments 

Total revenues 
Net profit 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 

1,648,056 
1,560,607 
87,449 

87,449 
– 

87,449 
20.00% 
20,535 

44,644 
12,037 
2,120 
14,157 

52,769 
35,876 
16,893 

16,893 
– 

16,893 
40.00% 
6,757 

36,522 
1,407 
318 
1,725 

132,212 
87,829 
44,383 

40,491 
984 

41,475 
29.46% 
13,186 

40,411 
4,606 
(19) 
4,587 

9,784 
7,245 
2,539 

2,539 
– 

2,539 
35.00% 
1,434 

3,306 
84 
8 
92 

8,199
4,450
3,749

3,749
(209)

3,540
70.00%
2,478

241
142
(299)
(157)

The  Group  had  no  contingent  liabilities  or  capital  commitments  with  the  associates  and  joint  venture  as  at  31 
December 2014.

The following table illustrates the summarised financial information of the Group’s associates as at 31 December 
2013 and for the year ended 31 December 2013:

CGB 
RMB million 

CLP&C 
RMB million 

Sino-Ocean 
RMB million 

COFCO Futures
RMB million

Total assets 
Total liabilities 
Total equity 
Total equity attributable to equity holders
  of the associates 
Total adjustments (i) 
Total equity attributable to equity holders
  of the associates after adjustments 
Proportion of the Group’s ownership 
Carrying amount of the investments 

Total revenues 
Net profit 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income 

1,469,850 
1,396,558 
73,292 

73,292 
– 

73,292 
20.00% 
17,704 

34,477 
11,583 
(1,820) 
9,763 

37,359 
29,192 
8,167 

8,167 
– 

8,167 
40.00% 
3,267 

28,054 
535 
253 
788 

137,869 
94,424 
43,445 

37,525 
1,877 

39,402 
29.02% 
12,403 

32,386 
4,661 
46 
4,707 

8,486
6,039
2,447

2,445
–

2,445
35.00%
1,401

1,483
169
9
178

The Group had no contingent liabilities or capital commitments with the associates as at 31 December 2013.

(i)  Including adjustments for the difference of accounting policies, fair value and others.

164

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

88,843 
126,140 
146,595 
155,705 

517,283 

68,199 
37 
23 
449,024 

517,283 

97,702
113,618
131,022
160,733

503,075

49,159
21
23
453,872

503,075

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS

9.1  Held-to-maturity securities

Group

Debt securities
  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 
  Subordinated bonds/debts 

Total 

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Listed in Hong Kong, PRC 
  Listed in Singapore 
  Unlisted 

Total 

The estimated fair value of all held-to-maturity securities was RMB526,526 million as at 31 December 2014 
(as at 31 December 2013: RMB464,996 million).

Company

Debt securities
  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 
  Subordinated bonds/debts 

Total 

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

88,843 
126,140 
146,027 
155,700 

516,710 

68,199 
448,511 

516,710 

97,702
113,618
130,469
160,728

502,517

49,159
453,358

502,517

The estimated fair value of all held-to-maturity securities was RMB525,949 million as at 31 December 2014 
(as at 31 December 2013: RMB464,477 million).

Unlisted debt securities include those traded on the Chinese interbank market.

165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.1  Held-to-maturity securities (continued)

Group debt securities  
  – Contractual maturity schedule 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 
  After ten years 

Total 

Company debt securities  
  – Contractual maturity schedule 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 
  After ten years 

Total 

As at 31  
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

11,823 
70,592 
149,986 
284,882 

12,905
64,878
109,334
315,958

517,283 

503,075

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

11,816 
70,477 
149,837 
284,580 

12,905
64,872
109,085
315,655

516,710 

502,517

166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.2  Loans

Group

Policy loans 
Other loans (i) 

Total 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 

Total 

Company

Policy loans 
Other loans (i) 

Total 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 

Total 

167

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

73,654 
92,799 

60,176
58,450

166,453 

118,626

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

80,214 
53,894 
32,345 

60,315
26,192
32,119

166,453 

118,626

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

73,654 
92,259 

60,176
58,110

165,913 

118,286

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

80,137 
53,665 
32,111 

60,315
26,002
31,969

165,913 

118,286

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.2  Loans (continued)

(i) 

Other  loans  mainly  consisted  of  different  types  of  asset  management  products.  As  at  31  December  2014, 

RMB84,300  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB62,200  million)  of  asset  management  products  had  been 

managed  by  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited  (“AMC”),  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  of  which 

RMB39,571  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB34,920  million)  was  owned  by  the  Group.  Meanwhile,  the 

Group  also  owned  RMB50,034  million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB22,836  million)  of  asset  management 

products  managed  by  other  financial  institutions.  All  asset  management  products  are  guaranteed  by  third  parties 

or with pledge, or have the national annual budget income as the source of repayment, or have higher credit rating 

borrowers. The Group did not guarantee or provide any financing support for other loans, and considers that the 

carrying value of other loans represents its maximum risk exposure.

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  Group’s  investment  income  from  the  above  asset  management 

products  was  RMB4,137  million  (2013:  RMB2,894  million),  the  related  asset  management  fee  received  by  AMC 

was RMB171 million (2013: RMB106 million).

9.3  Term deposits

Group

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 

Total 

Company

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 

Total 

168

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

200,214 
463,442 
26,500 

74,932
579,242
10,000

690,156 

664,174

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

195,529 
463,442 
26,500 

74,460
577,942
10,000

685,471 

662,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

– 
6,153 

6,153 

–
6,153

6,153

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

– 
5,653 

5,653 

–
5,653

5,653

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.4  Statutory deposits – restricted

Group

Contractual maturity schedule
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 

Total 

Company

Contractual maturity schedule
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 

Total 

Insurance  companies  in  China  are  required  to  deposit  an  amount  equal  to  20%  of  their  registered  capital 
with banks in conformity with regulations of the CIRC. These funds may not be used for any purpose, other 
than to pay off debts during liquidation proceedings.

169

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.5  Available-for-sale securities

Group

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
  Debt securities

  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 
  Subordinated bonds/debts 
  Others (i) 

  Subtotal 

  Equity securities

  Funds 
  Common stocks 
  Preferred stocks 
  Others (i) 

  Subtotal 

Available-for-sale securities, at cost
  Equity securities
  Others (i) 

Total 

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Listed in Singapore 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Listed in Hong Kong, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Total 

170

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

26,328 
138,487 
206,511 
22,798 
1,217 

31,435
119,739
165,001
23,579
232

395,341 

339,986

83,121 
71,592 
3,000 
39,218 

58,052
77,250
–
16,239

196,931 

151,541

15,259 

–

607,531 

491,527

46,137 
260 
348,944 

37,652
266
302,068

395,341 

339,986

71,553 
8,303 
132,334 

80,638
2,985
67,918

212,190 

151,541

607,531 

491,527

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.5  Available-for-sale securities (continued)

Company

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
  Debt securities

  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 
  Subordinated bonds/debts 
  Others (i) 

  Subtotal 

  Equity securities

  Funds 
  Common stocks 
  Preferred stocks 
  Others (i) 

  Subtotal 

Available-for-sale securities, at cost
  Equity securities
  Others (i) 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

25,913 
138,487 
205,620 
22,798 
1,217 

31,088
119,739
164,364
23,579
232

394,035 

339,002

82,714 
71,592 
3,000 
38,645 

57,704
77,235
–
15,701

195,951 

150,640

15,259 

–

605,245 

489,642

(i) 

Other  available-for-sale  securities  mainly  include  bank  wealth  management  products,  private  equity  funds,  other 

unlisted equity investments, etc. The Group did not guarantee or provide any financing support for other available-

for-sale securities, and considers that the carrying value of other available-for-sale securities represents its maximum 

risk exposure.

171

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.5  Available-for-sale securities (continued)

Company (continued)

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Listed in Singapore 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Listed in Hong Kong, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

45,707 
260 
348,068 

394,035 

71,548 
8,303 
131,359 

211,210 

605,245 

37,208
266
301,528

339,002

80,365
2,985
67,290

150,640

489,642

Unlisted debt securities include those traded on the Chinese interbank market and those not publicly traded. 
Unlisted equity securities include those not traded on stock exchanges, which are mainly open-ended funds 
with public market price quotation.

Group debt securities  
  – Contractual maturity schedule 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 
  After ten years 

Total 

Company debt securities  
  – Contractual maturity schedule 

Maturing:
  Within one year 
  After one year but within five years 
  After five years but within ten years 
  After ten years 

Total 

172

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

13,939 
139,737 
120,284 
121,381 

395,341 

7,964
115,636
117,242
99,144

339,986

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

13,939 
139,624 
119,987 
120,485 

394,035 

7,964
115,468
117,203
98,367

339,002

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.6  Securities at fair value through profit or loss

Group

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

254 
4,085 
24,873 

1,489
4,659
24,608

29,212 

30,756

499 
23,341 

23,840 

939
2,477

3,416

53,052 

34,172

5,920 
23,292 

5,375
25,381

29,212 

30,756

23,488 
352 

23,840 

2,484
932

3,416

53,052 

34,172

Debt securities
  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Funds 
  Common stocks 

Subtotal 

Total 

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Total 

173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.6  Securities at fair value through profit or loss (continued)

Company

Debt securities
  Government bonds 
  Government agency bonds 
  Corporate bonds 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Funds 
  Common stocks 

Subtotal 

Total 

Debt securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Listed in mainland, PRC 
  Unlisted 

Subtotal 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

254 
1,728 
14,782 

1,489
4,659
24,441

16,764 

30,589

499 
21,559 

22,058 

939
2,477

3,416

38,822 

34,005

5,098 
11,666 

5,277
25,312

16,764 

30,589

21,706 
352 

22,058 

2,484
932

3,416

38,822 

34,005

Unlisted debt securities include those traded on the Chinese interbank market and those not publicly traded. 
Unlisted equity securities include those not traded on stock exchanges, which are mainly open-ended funds 
with public market price quotation.

174

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.7  Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Group

Maturing:
  Within 30 days 
  After 30 days but within 90 days 

Total 

Company

Maturing:
  Within 30 days 
  After 30 days but within 90 days 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

11,925 
– 

11,925 

8,295
–

8,295

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

11,841 
– 

11,841 

8,266
–

8,266

175

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

9 

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

9.8  Accrued investment income

Group

Bank deposits 
Debt securities 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

Company

Bank deposits 
Debt securities 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

176

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

27,084 
15,667 
1,599 

20,210
13,402
1,105

44,350 

34,717

31,928 
12,422 

28,358
6,359

44,350 

34,717

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

26,935 
15,450 
1,596 

20,141
13,379
1,104

43,981 

34,624

31,604 
12,377 

28,287
6,337

43,981 

34,624

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

10  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The  table  below  presents  the  carrying  value  and  estimated  fair  value  of  major  financial  assets  and  liabilities,  and 
investment contracts:

Carrying value 

Estimated fair value (i)

As at 31 

As at 31
December 2014  December 2013  December 2014  December 2013
RMB million

RMB million 

RMB million 

RMB million 

As at 31 

As at 31 

Held-to-maturity securities (ii) 
Loans 
Term deposits 
Statutory deposits – restricted 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value 
Securities at fair value through profit or loss 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Investment contracts (iii) 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Bonds payable (iii) 

517,283 
166,453 
690,156 
6,153 
592,272 
53,052 
11,925 
47,034 
(72,275) 
(10,890) 
(46,089) 
(67,989) 

503,075 
118,626 
664,174 
6,153 
491,527 
34,172 
8,295 
21,330 
(65,087) 
– 
(20,426) 
(67,985) 

526,526 
166,453 
690,156 
6,153 
592,272 
53,052 
11,925 
47,034 
(70,694) 
(10,890) 
(46,089) 
(68,370) 

464,996
118,626
664,174
6,153
491,527
34,172
8,295
21,330
(63,772)
–
(20,426)
(65,486)

(i)  The estimates and judgements to determine the fair value of financial assets are described in Note 3.2.

(ii)  The  fair  value  of  held-to-maturity  securities  are  determined  by  reference  with  other  debt  securities  which 
are  measured  by  fair  value.  Please  refer  to  Note  4.3.  The  fair  value  of  held-to-maturity  under  Level  1 
was  RMB69,506  million  and  under  Level  2  was  RMB457,020  million  as  at  31  December  2014  (as  at  31 
December 2013: Level 1 RMB54,643 million and Level 2 RMB410,353 million).

(iii) 

Investment contracts at fair value through profit or loss have quoted prices in active markets, so its fair value 
was classified as Level 1.

The  fair  value  of  investment  contracts  at  amortised  cost  and  bonds  payable  were  determined  by  using 
valuation  techniques,  with  consideration  of  the  present  value  of  expected  cash  flows  arising  from  contracts 
using a risk-adjusted discount rate, allowing for the risk-free rate available on the valuation date, credit risk 
and  risk  margin  associated  with  the  future  cash  flows.  The  fair  value  of  investment  contracts  at  amortised 
cost and bonds payable were classified as Level 3.

11  PREMIUMS RECEIVABLE

As at 31 December 2014, the carrying value of premiums receivable within one year was RMB11,143 million (as 
at 31 December 2013: RMB9,871 million).

177

 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

12  REINSURANCE ASSETS

Group and Company

Long-term insurance contracts ceded (Note 14) 
Due from reinsurance companies 
Ceded unearned premiums (Note 14) 
Claims recoverable from reinsurers (Note 14) 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

13  OTHER ASSETS

Group

Land use rights 
Due from related parties 
Automated policy loans 
Tax refundable 
Fund subscription and redemption fees receivable 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

178

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

908 
20 
65 
39 

846
42
121
60

1,032 

1,069

124 
908 

223
846

1,032 

1,069

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

6,137 
684 
2,281 
2,449 
4,104 
3,756 

6,183
656
2,056
8,175
–
3,360

19,411 

20,430

12,956 
6,455 

14,092
6,338

19,411 

20,430

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

5,943 
625 
2,281 
2,449 
3,431 
3,240 

6,183
655
2,056
8,175
–
2,780

17,969 

19,849

11,906 
6,063 

13,540
6,309

17,969 

19,849

13  OTHER ASSETS (continued)

Company

Land use rights 
Due from related parties 
Automated policy loans 
Tax refundable 
Fund subscription and redemption fees receivable 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS

(a)  Process used to decide on assumptions

(i) 

For  the  insurance  contracts  of  which  future  insurance  benefits  are  affected  by  investment  yields  of 
corresponding  investment  portfolios,  the  discount  rate  assumption  is  based  on  expected  investment 
returns  of  the  asset  portfolio  backing  these  liabilities,  considering  the  impacts  of  time  value  on 
reserves.

In  developing  discount  rate  assumptions,  the  Group  considers  investment  experience,  the  current 
investment  portfolio  and  trend  of  the  relevant  yield  curves.  The  discount  rates  reflect  the  future 
economic  outlook  as  well  as  the  Group’s  investment  strategy.  The  assumed  discount  rates  with  risk 
margin for the past two years are as follows:

As at 31 December 2014 
As at 31 December 2013 

Discount rate assumptions

4.80%~5.00%
4.80%~5.00%

179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(a)  Process used to decide on assumptions (continued)

(i) 

(continued)

For the insurance contracts of which future insurance benefits are not affected by investment yields of 
the corresponding investment portfolios, the discount rate assumption is based on the “Yield curve of 
reserve computation benchmark for insurance contracts”, published on the “China Bond” website with 
consideration of liquidity spreads, taxation and other relevant factors. The assumed discount rates with 
risk margin for the past two years are as follows:

As at 31 December 2014 
As at 31 December 2013 

Discount rate assumptions

3.52%~5.96%
3.47%~5.74%

There  is  uncertainty  on  the  discount  rate  assumption,  which  is  affected  by  factors  such  as  future 
macro-economy, monetary and foreign exchange policies, capital market and availability of investment 
channels  of  insurance  funds.  The  Group  determines  the  discount  rate  assumption  based  on  the 
information obtained at the end of each reporting period including consideration of risk margin.

(ii)  The mortality and morbidity assumptions are based on the Group’s historical mortality and morbidity 
experience.  The  assumed  mortality  rates  and  morbidity  rates  vary  by  age  of  the  insured  and  contract 
type.

The  Group  bases  its  mortality  assumptions  on  China  Life  Insurance  Mortality  Table  (2000-2003), 
adjusted  where  appropriate  to  reflect  the  Group’s  recent  historical  mortality  experience.  The  main 
source of uncertainty with life insurance contracts is that epidemics and wide-ranging lifestyle changes 
could result in deterioration in future mortality experience, thus leading to an inadequate reserving of 
liability.  Similarly,  improvements  in  longevity  due  to  continuing  advancements  in  medical  care  and 
social conditions may expose the Group to longevity risk.

The  Group  bases  its  morbidity  assumptions  for  critical  illness  products  on  analysis  of  historical 
experience and expectations of future developments. There are two main sources of uncertainty. First, 
wide-ranging  lifestyle  changes  could  result  in  future  deterioration  in  morbidity  experience.  Second, 
future  development  of  medical  technologies  and  improved  coverage  of  medical  facilities  available 
to  policyholders  may  bring  forward  the  timing  of  diagnosing  critical  illness,  which  demands  earlier 
payment  of  the  critical  illness  benefits.  Both  could  ultimately  result  in  an  inadequate  reserving  of 
liability if current morbidity assumptions do not properly reflect such trends.

Risk margin is considered in the Group’s mortality and morbidity assumptions.

180

 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(a)  Process used to decide on assumptions (continued)

(iii)  Expense  assumptions  are  based  on  expected  unit  costs  with  the  consideration  of  previous  expense 
studies and future trends. Expense assumptions are affected by certain factors such as future inflation 
and  market  competition  which  bring  uncertainty  to  these  assumptions.  The  Group  considers  risk 
margin  for  expense  assumptions  based  on  information  obtained  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period. 
Components of expense assumptions include cost per policy and percentage of premium as follows:

Individual Life 

Group Life

RMB Per Policy 

% of Premium 

RMB Per Policy 

% of Premium

As at 31 December 2014 
As at 31 December 2013 

37.00~45.00 
37.00~45.00 

0.85%~0.90% 
0.85%~0.90% 

14.00 
14.00 

0.90%
0.90%

(iv)  The lapse rates and other assumptions are affected by certain factors, such as future macro-economy, 
availability  of  financial  substitutions,  and  market  competition,  which  brings  uncertainty  to  these 
assumptions.  The  lapse  rates  and  other  assumptions  are  determined  with  reference  to  creditable  past 
experience, current conditions, future expectations and other information.

(v)  The  Group  applied  consistent  method  to  determine  risk  margin.  The  Group  considers  risk  margin 
for  discount  rate,  mortality  and  morbidity  and  expense  assumptions  to  compensate  for  the  uncertain 
amount and timing of future cash flow. When determining risk margin, the Group considers historical 
experience, future expectations and other factors. The Group determines risk margin level by itself as 
the regulations have not imposed any specific requirement on it.

The  Group  adopted  a  consistent  process  to  decide  on  assumptions  for  the  insurance  contracts 
disclosed  in  this  note.  On  each  reporting  date,  the  Group  reviews  the  assumptions  for  reasonable 
estimates of liability and risk margin, with consideration of all available information, and taking into 
account the Group’s historical experience and expectation of future events.

181

 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(b)  Net liabilities of insurance contracts

Group and Company

Gross
Long-term insurance contracts 
Short-term insurance contracts
  – Claims and claim adjustment expenses 
  – Unearned premiums 

Total, gross 

Recoverable from reinsurers
Long-term insurance contracts (Note 12) 
Short-term insurance contracts
  – Claims and claim adjustment expenses (Note 12) 
  – Unearned premiums (Note 12) 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

1,588,900 

1,482,946

7,316 
7,230 

4,655
6,896

1,603,446 

1,494,497

(908) 

(39) 
(65) 

(846)

(60)
(121)

Total, ceded 

(1,012) 

(1,027)

Net
Long-term insurance contracts 
Short-term insurance contracts
  – Claims and claim adjustment expenses 
  – Unearned premiums 

Total, net 

1,587,992 

1,482,100

7,277 
7,165 

4,595
6,775

1,602,434 

1,493,470

182

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(c)  Movements in liabilities of short-term insurance contracts

The table below presents movements in claims and claim adjustment expense reserve:

Group and Company

Notified claims 
Incurred but not reported 

Total as at 1 January – Gross 

Cash paid for claims settled
  – Cash paid for current year claims 
  – Cash paid for prior year claims 
Claims incurred
  – Claims arising in current year 
  – Claims arising in prior years 

Total as at 31 December – Gross 

Notified claims 
Incurred but not reported 

Total as at 31 December – Gross 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

835 
3,820 

4,655 

(9,636) 
(4,557) 

16,499 
355 

7,316 

2,135 
5,181 

7,316 

202
2,876

3,078

(7,106)
(2,712)

11,476
(81)

4,655

835
3,820

4,655

Net

5,854
6,775
(5,854)

The table below presents movements in unearned premium reserves:

Group and Company

2014 
RMB million 
Ceded 

Net 

Gross 

2013
RMB million
Ceded 

(121) 
(65) 
121 

6,775 
7,165 
(6,775) 

5,955 
6,896 
(5,955) 

(101) 
(121) 
101 

Gross 

6,896 
7,230 
(6,896) 

As at 1 January 
Increase 
Release 

As at 31 December 

7,230 

(65) 

7,165 

6,896 

(121) 

6,775

183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

14 

INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(d)  Movements in liabilities of long-term insurance contracts

The table below presents movements in the liabilities of long-term insurance contracts:

Group and Company

As at 1 January 
Premiums 
Release of liabilities (i) 
Accretion of interest 
Change in assumptions
  – Change in discount rates 
  – Change in other assumptions (ii) 
Other movements 

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

1,482,946 
304,677 
(265,137) 
69,214 

(4,599) 
420 
1,379 

1,375,504
305,720
(264,175)
64,478

1,222
271
(74)

As at 31 December 

1,588,900 

1,482,946

(i)  The  release  of  liabilities  mainly  consists  of  release  due  to  death  or  other  termination  and  related 

expenses, release of residual margin and change of reserves for claims and claim adjustment expenses.

(ii)  For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  change  in  other  assumptions  was  mainly  caused  by  change 
in  morbidity  rate  assumptions  of  certain  products,  which  increased  insurance  contract  liabilities  by 
RMB441  million.  This  change  reflected  the  Group’s  most  recent  experience  and  future  expectations 
about the morbidity rates as at the reporting date. Changes in assumptions other than morbidity rates 
decreased insurance contract liabilities by RMB21 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2013, change in other assumptions was mainly caused by change in 
lapse rate assumptions of certain products, which increased insurance contract liabilities by RMB337 
million.  This  change  reflected  the  Group’s  most  recent  experience  and  future  expectations  about 
lapse rate as at the reporting date. Changes in assumptions other than lapse rates decreased insurance 
contract liabilities by RMB66 million.

184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

15 

INVESTMENT CONTRACTS

Group and Company

Investment contracts with DPF at amortised cost 
Investment contracts without DPF
  – At amortised cost 
  – At fair value through profit or loss 

Total 

The table below presents movements of investment contracts with DPF:

As at 1 January 
Deposits received 
Deposits withdrawn, payments on death and other benefits 
Policy fees deducted from account balances 
Interest credited 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

47,962 

24,292 
21 

46,555

18,507
25

72,275 

65,087

2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

46,555 
3,486 
(3,334) 
(33) 
1,288 

47,977
2,622
(5,315)
(13)
1,284

As at 31 December 

47,962 

46,555

185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

16 

INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Maturity date 

Interest rate 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Guaranteed loans 

17 June 2019 

3.54% 

2,623 

–

17  BONDS PAYABLE

As  at  31  December  2014,  all  bonds  payable  were  subordinated  bonds  with  a  total  carrying  value  of  RMB67,989 
million  (as  at  31  December  2013:  RMB67,985  million)  and  the  par  value  of  RMB68,000  million  (as  at  31 
December 2013: RMB68,000 million).

Group and Company

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Issue date 

Maturity date 

Interest rate p.a. 

Par Value

26 October 2011 
29 June 2012 
5 November 2012 

Total 

26 October 2021 
29 June 2022 
5 November 2022 

5.50% 
4.70% 
4.58% 

30,000 
28,000 
10,000 

30,000
28,000
10,000

68,000 

68,000

The Company issued the above three subordinated bonds with a maturity term of 10 years to qualified investors 
who met the relevant regulatory requirements. The coupon rates per annum for the first 5 years are 5.50%, 4.70%, 
4.58%, respectively, for bonds issued on 26 October 2011, 29 June 2012 and 5 November 2012. The Company 
has  the  right  to  call  the  subordinated  bonds  at  par  at  the  end  of  the  fifth  year  after  issuance.  If  the  Company 
does not exercise the call option, the coupon rate per annum for the remaining 5 years will be raised by 200 basis 
points.

Subordinated bonds are measured at amortised cost as described in Note 2.14.

186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

18  SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Group

Interbank market 
Stock exchange market 

Total 

Maturing:
  Within 30 days 
  After 30 but within 90 days 
  After 90 days 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

41,477 
4,612 

13,862
6,564

46,089 

20,426

42,971 
118 
3,000 

17,426
3,000
–

46,089 

20,426

As  at  31  December  2014,  bonds  with  a  carrying  value  of  RMB42,177  million  (as  at  31  December  2013: 
RMB14,338 million) were pledged as collateral for financial assets sold under agreements to repurchase resulting 
from repurchase transactions entered into by the Group in the interbank market.

For  debt  repurchase  transactions  through  the  stock  exchange,  the  Group  is  required  to  deposit  certain  exchange-
traded  bonds  into  a  collateral  pool  with  fair  value  converted  at  a  standard  rate  pursuant  to  the  stock  exchange’s 
regulation  which  should  be  no  less  than  the  balance  of  the  related  repurchase  transaction.  As  at  31  December 
2014, the carrying value of securities deposited in the collateral pool was RMB49,963 million (as at 31 December 
2013:  RMB35,677  million).  The  collateral  is  restricted  from  trading  during  the  period  of  the  repurchase 
transaction.

187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

18  SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE (continued)

Company

Interbank market 
Stock exchange market 

Total 

Maturing:
  Within 30 days 
  After 30 but within 90 days 
  After 90 days 

Total 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

40,499 
4,039 

13,494
6,564

44,538 

20,058

41,538 
– 
3,000 

17,058
3,000
–

44,538 

20,058

As  at  31  December  2014,  bonds  with  a  carrying  value  of  RMB42,131  million  (as  at  31  December  2013: 
RMB13,962  million)  were  pledged  as  collateral  for  financial  assets  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  resulted 
from repurchase transactions entered into by the Company in the interbank market.

For  debt  repurchase  transactions  through  the  stock  exchange,  the  Company  is  required  to  deposit  certain 
exchange-traded  bonds  into  a  collateral  pool  with  fair  value  converted  at  a  standard  rate  pursuant  to  the  stock 
exchange’s  regulation  which  should  be  no  less  than  the  balance  of  the  related  repurchase  transaction.  As  at  31 
December  2014,  the  carrying  value  of  securities  deposited  in  the  collateral  pool  was  RMB49,308  million  (as 
at  31  December  2013:  RMB35,331  million).  The  collateral  is  restricted  from  trading  during  the  period  of  the 
repurchase transaction.

188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

19  OTHER LIABILITIES

Group

Salary and welfare payable 
Interest payable to policyholders 
Commission and brokerage payable 
Interest payable of subordinated debts 
Stock appreciation rights (Note 31) 
Payable to constructors 
Agent deposits 
Tax payable 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

Company

Salary and welfare payable 
Interest payable to policyholders 
Commission and brokerage payable 
Interest payable of subordinated debts 
Stock appreciation rights (Note 31) 
Payable to constructors 
Agent deposits 
Tax payable 
Others 

Total 

Current 
Non-current 

Total 

189

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

4,589 
5,008 
1,919 
1,044 
1,025 
783 
761 
717 
4,216 

4,792
4,014
1,630
1,039
770
1,708
682
377
3,221

20,062 

18,233

20,062 
– 

18,233
–

20,062 

18,233

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

4,006 
5,008 
1,919 
1,044 
1,025 
778 
761 
693 
4,197 

4,341
4,014
1,630
1,039
770
1,705
682
361
3,148

19,431 

17,690

19,431 
– 

17,690
–

19,431 

17,690

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

20  STATUTORY INSURANCE FUND

As  required  by  the  CIRC  Order  [2008]  No.  2,  “Measures  for  Administration  of  Statutory  Insurance  Fund”,  all 
insurance  companies  have  to  pay  the  statutory  insurance  fund  contribution  to  the  CIRC  from  1  January  2009. 
The  Group  is  subject  to  the  statutory  insurance  fund  contribution,  (i)  at  0.15%  and  0.05%  of  premiums  and 
accumulated policyholder deposits from life policies with guaranteed benefits and life policies without guaranteed 
benefits,  respectively;  (ii)  at  0.8%  and  0.15%  of  premiums  from  short-term  health  policies  and  long-term  health 
policies,  respectively;  (iii)  at  0.8%  of  premiums  from  accident  insurance  contracts,  at  0.08%  and  0.05%  of 
accumulated  policyholder  deposits  from  accident  investment  contracts  with  guaranteed  benefits  and  without 
guaranteed benefits, respectively. When the accumulated statutory insurance fund contributions reach 1% of total 
assets, no additional contribution to the statutory insurance fund is required.

21 

INVESTMENT INCOME

Debt securities
  – held-to-maturity securities 
  – available-for-sale securities 
  – at fair value through profit or loss 
Equity securities
  – available-for-sale securities 
  – at fair value through profit or loss 
Bank deposits 
Loans 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
Others 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

25,357 
18,571 
1,571 

4,458 
106 
34,934 
8,138 
299 
114 

22,588
16,188
963

3,408
579
32,667
5,773
556
94

Total 

93,548 

82,816

For the year ended 31 December 2014, included in investment income was interest income of RMB88,984 million 
(2013: RMB78,829 million). All interest income was accrued using the effective interest method.

The  investment  income  from  listed  debt  and  equity  securities  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  was 
RMB6,449  million  (2013:  RMB6,395  million).  The  investment  income  from  unlisted  debt  and  equity  securities 
for the year ended 31 December 2014 was RMB43,614 million (2013: RMB37,331 million).

190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

22  NET REALISED GAINS AND IMPAIRMENT ON FINANCIAL ASSETS

Debt securities
  Net realised gains 
  Reversal of impairment 

Subtotal 

Equity securities
  Net realised gains 

Impairment 

Subtotal 

Total 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

142 
– 

142 

8,127 
(1,149) 

6,978 

7,120 

385
–

385

9,211
(3,803)

5,408

5,793

Net realised gains and impairment on financial assets are from available-for-sale securities.

During the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group recognised impairment charge of RMB146 million (2013: 
RMB142  million)  of  available-for-sale  funds,  RMB1,003  million  (2013:  RMB3,517  million)  of  available-for-
sale common stocks, and no impairment charge (2013: RMB144 million) of other available-for-sale securities, for 
which the Group determined that objective evidence of impairment existed.

23  NET FAIR VALUE GAINS/(LOSSES) THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

Debt securities 
Equity securities 
Stock appreciation rights 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 

Total 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

2,272 
4,977 
(255) 
(1,186) 

5,808 

(239)
305
71
–

137

191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

24 

INSURANCE BENEFITS AND CLAIMS EXPENSES

Gross 
RMB million 

Ceded 
RMB million 

Net
RMB million

For the year ended 31 December 2014
Life insurance death and other benefits 
Accident and health claims and claim adjustment expenses 
Increase in insurance contract liabilities 

192,863 
16,854 
105,945 

(204) 
(102) 
(62) 

192,659
16,752
105,883

Total 

315,662 

(368) 

315,294

For the year ended 31 December 2013
Life insurance death and other benefits 
Accident and health claims and claim adjustment expenses 
Increase in insurance contract liabilities 

193,755 
11,392 
107,442 

(84) 
(129) 
(88) 

193,671
11,263
107,354

Total 

312,589 

(301) 

312,288

25 

INVESTMENT CONTRACT BENEFITS
Benefits of investment contracts are mainly the interest credited to investment contracts.

26  FINANCE COSTS

Interest expenses for bonds payable 
Interest expenses for securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
Interest expenses for interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Total 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

3,433 
1,234 
59 

4,726 

3,423
609
–

4,032

192

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

27  PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX

Profit before income tax is stated after charging the following:

Employee salaries and welfare cost 
Housing benefits 
Contribution to the defined contribution pension plan 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Exchange loss/(gain) 
Auditors’ remuneration 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

11,564 
787 
1,553 
2,124 
(268) 
55 

10,789
740
1,932
2,026
437
52

28  TAXATION

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  offset  current  tax 
assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax relates to the same fiscal authority.

(a)  The amount of taxation charged to net profit represents:

Current taxation – Enterprise income tax 
Deferred taxation 

Taxation charges 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

6,455 
1,433 

7,888 

428
4,015

4,443

(b)  The  reconciliation  between  the  Group’s  effective  tax  rate  and  the  statutory  tax  rate  of  25%  in  the  PRC 

(2013: 25%) is as follows:

Profit before income tax 
Tax computed at the statutory tax rate 
Non-taxable income (i) 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (i) 
Unused tax losses 
Others 

Income tax at the effective tax rate 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

40,402 
10,101 
(3,434) 
1,190 
19 
12 

7,888 

29,451
7,363
(3,172)
200
51
1

4,443

(i) 

Non-taxable  income  mainly  includes  interest  income  from  government  bonds,  and  dividend  income  from 

applicable  equity  securities,  etc.  Expenses  not  deductible  for  tax  purposes  mainly  include  commission,  brokerage, 

donation and other expenses that do not meet the criteria for deduction according to the relevant tax regulations.

193

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

28  TAXATION (continued)

(c)  As  at  31  December  2014  and  2013,  deferred  income  tax  was  calculated  in  full  on  temporary  differences 
under  the  liability  method  using  a  principal  tax  rate  of  25%.  The  movements  in  deferred  tax  assets  and 
liabilities during the year are as follows:

Insurance 
RMB million 
(i) 

Investments 
RMB million 
(ii) 

Others 
RMB million 
(iii)

Total
RMB million

(11,787) 
820 

3,061 
(5,024) 

892 
189 

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Group

As at 1 January 2013 
(Charged)/credited to net profit 
(Charged)/credited to other 
  comprehensive income

  – Available-for-sale securities 
  – Portion of fair value changes on

  available-for-sale securities
  attributable to participating 
  policyholders 

  – Others 

Others 

– 

7,731 

(660) 
– 
– 

– 
(21) 
(120) 

As at 31 December 2013 

(11,627) 

5,627 

As at 1 January 2014 
(Charged)/credited to net profit 
(Charged)/credited to other 
  comprehensive income

  – Available-for-sale securities 
  – Portion of fair value changes on

  available-for-sale securities
  attributable to participating 
  policyholders 

  – Others 

(11,627) 
552 

5,627 
(1,940) 

– 

(15,805) 

2,759 
– 

– 
23 

(7,834)
(4,015)

7,731

(660)
(21)
(120)

(4,919)

(4,919)
(1,433)

(15,805)

2,759
23

– 

– 
– 
– 

1,081 

1,081 
(45) 

– 

– 
– 

As at 31 December 2014 

(8,316) 

(12,095) 

1,036 

(19,375)

(i) 

The  deferred  tax  arising  from  the  insurance  category  is  mainly  related  to  the  change  of  long-term  insurance 

contract liabilities at 31 December 2008 as a result of the first time adoption of IFRSs in 2009 and the temporary 

differences of short-term insurance contract liabilities and policyholder dividend payables.

(ii) 

The deferred tax arising from the investments category is mainly related to the temporary differences of unrealised 

gains/(losses), which includes available-for-sale securities, securities at fair value through profit or loss, and others.

(iii)  The  deferred  tax  arising  from  the  other  categories  is  mainly  related  to  the  temporary  differences  of  employee 

salaries and welfare cost payables.

194

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

28  TAXATION (continued)

(c)  The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year are as follows (continued):

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) (continued)

Group (continued)
Unrecognised  deductible  tax  losses  of  the  Group  amounted  to  RMB879  million  as  at  31  December  2014 
(as at 31 December 2013: RMB863 million). Unrecognised deductible temporary differences of the Group 
amounted to RMB166 million as at 31 December 2014 (as at 31 December 2013: RMB124 million).

Company

Insurance 
RMB million 

Investments 
RMB million 

Others 
RMB million 

Total
RMB million

As at 1 January 2013 
(Charged)/credited to net profit 
(Charged)/credited to other 
  comprehensive income

  – Available-for-sale securities 
  – Portion of fair value changes on

  available-for-sale securities 
  attributable to participating 
  policyholders 

Others 

(11,787) 
820 

3,052 
(4,702) 

– 

7,722 

(660) 
– 

– 
(120) 

As at 31 December 2013 

(11,627) 

5,952 

As at 1 January 2014 
(Charged)/credited to net profit 
(Charged)/credited to other 
  comprehensive income

  – Available-for-sale securities 
  – Portion of fair value changes on

  available-for-sale securities 
  attributable to participating 
  policyholders 

(11,627) 
552 

5,952 
(1,827) 

– 

(15,762) 

2,759 

– 

813 
179 

– 

– 
– 

992 

992 
(62) 

– 

– 

(7,922)
(3,703)

7,722

(660)
(120)

(4,683)

(4,683)
(1,337)

(15,762)

2,759

As at 31 December 2014 

(8,316) 

(11,637) 

930 

(19,023)

195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

28  TAXATION (continued)

(d) 

The analysis of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:

Group

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

4,219 
2,027 

6,246 

7,084
1,827

8,911

(24,130) 
(1,491) 

(13,557)
(273)

(25,621) 

(13,830)

(19,375) 

(4,919)

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

4,205 
1,929 

6,134 

7,085
1,727

8,812

(23,709) 
(1,448) 

(13,223)
(272)

(25,157) 

(13,495)

(19,023) 

(4,683)

Deferred tax assets:
  – deferred tax assets to be recovered after 12 months 
  – deferred tax assets to be recovered within 12 months 

Subtotal 

Deferred tax liabilities:
  – deferred tax liabilities to be settled after 12 months 
  – deferred tax liabilities to be settled within 12 months 

Subtotal 

Net deferred tax liabilities 

Company

Deferred tax assets:
  – deferred tax assets to be recovered after 12 months 
  – deferred tax assets to be recovered within 12 months 

Subtotal 

Deferred tax liabilities:
  – deferred tax liabilities to be settled after 12 months 
  – deferred tax liabilities to be settled within 12 months 

Subtotal 

Net deferred tax liabilities 

196

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

29  NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company is recognised in the financial statements of the Company 
to the extent of RMB28,271 million (2013: RMB21,484 million).

30  EARNINGS PER SHARE

There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share. The basic and diluted earnings per share for 
the  year  ended  31  December  2014  are  based  on  the  net  profit  for  the  year  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the 
Company  and  the  weighted  average  number  of  28,264,705,000  ordinary  shares  (2013:  28,264,705,000  ordinary 
shares).

31  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  approved,  on  5  January  2006,  an  award  of  stock  appreciation  rights  of 
4.05  million  units  and  on  21  August  2006,  another  award  of  stock  appreciation  rights  of  53.22  million  units  to 
eligible employees. The exercise prices of the two awards were HKD5.33 and HKD6.83, respectively, the average 
closing price of shares in the five trading days prior to 1 July 2005 and 1 January 2006, the dates for vesting and 
exercise  price  setting  purposes  of  this  award.  The  exercise  prices  of  stock  appreciation  rights  were  the  average 
closing  price  of  the  shares  in  the  five  trading  days  prior  to  the  date  of  the  award.  Upon  the  exercise  of  stock 
appreciation  rights,  exercising  recipients  will  receive  payments  in  RMB,  subject  to  any  withholding  tax,  equal  to 
the number of stock appreciation rights exercised times the difference between the exercise price and market price 
of the H shares at the time of exercise.

Stock  appreciation  rights  have  been  awarded  in  units,  with  each  unit  representing  the  value  of  one  H  share.  No 
shares  of  common  stock  will  be  issued  under  the  stock  appreciation  rights  plan.  According  to  the  Company’s 
plan,  all  stock  appreciation  rights  will  have  an  exercise  period  of  five  years  from  the  date  of  award  and  will  not 
be  exercisable  before  the  fourth  anniversary  of  the  date  of  award  unless  specific  market  or  other  conditions  have 
been met. On 26 February 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company extended the exercise period of all stock 
appreciation rights, which is also subject to government policy.

All  the  stock  appreciation  rights  awarded  were  fully  vested  as  at  31  December  2014.  As  at  31  December  2014, 
there  were  55.01  million  units  outstanding  and  exercisable  (as  at  31  December  2013:  55.01  million).  As  at  31 
December 2014, the amount of intrinsic value for the vested stock appreciation rights was RMB1,012 million (as 
at 31 December 2013: RMB757 million).

The  fair  value  of  the  stock  appreciation  rights  is  estimated  on  the  date  of  valuation  at  each  reporting  date  using 
lattice-based option valuation models based on expected volatility from 25% to 45%, an expected dividend yield of 
no higher than 2% and a risk-free interest rate ranging from 0.1% to 0.2%.

The Company recognised a loss of RMB255 million in the net fair value through profit or loss in the consolidated 
comprehensive income representing the fair value change of the rights during the year ended 31 December 2014 
(2013:  fair  value  gain  of  RMB71  million).  RMB1,012  million  and  RMB13  million  were  included  in  salary  and 
staff  welfare  payable  included  under  other  liabilities  for  the  units  not  exercised  and  exercised  but  not  paid  as  at 
31 December 2014 (as at 31 December 2013: RMB757 million and RMB13 million), respectively. There was no 
unrecognised  compensation  cost  for  the  stock  appreciation  rights  as  at  31  December  2014  (as  at  31  December 
2013: Nil).

197

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

32  DIVIDENDS

Pursuant  to  the  shareholders’  approval  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  29  May  2014,  a  final  dividend  of 
RMB0.30  per  ordinary  share  totalling  RMB8,479  million  in  respect  of  the  year  ended  31  December  2013  was 
declared  and  paid  in  2014.  The  dividend  has  been  recorded  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2014.

Pursuant  to  a  resolution  passed  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  on  24  March  2015,  a  final  dividend  of 
RMB0.40  per  ordinary  share  totalling  approximately  RMB11,306  million  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014 
was proposed for shareholders’ approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. The dividend has not been 
recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014.

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a)  Related parties

The table set forth below summarises the names of significant related parties and nature of relationship with 
the Company as at 31 December 2014:

Significant related parties

Relationship with the Company

CLIC
AMC
China Life Pension Company Limited 

(“Pension Company”)

Immediate and ultimate holding company
A subsidiary of the Company
A subsidiary of the Company

China Life (Suzhou) Pension and Retirement Investment 
  Company Limited (“Suzhou Pension Company”)
Golden Phoenix Tree Limited (i)
AMC HK
CL AMP
King Phoenix Tree Limited (i)
China Life Wealth Management Co., Limited 

A subsidiary of the Company

A subsidiary of the Company
An indirect subsidiary of the Company
An indirect subsidiary of the Company
An indirect subsidiary of the Company
An indirect subsidiary of the Company

(“CL Wealth”) (i)

Sino-Ocean
CGB
CLP&C
COFCO Futures
10 Upper Bank Street SLP
China Life Real Estate Co., Limited (“CLRE”)
China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company Limited 

(“CL Overseas”)

An associate of the Company
An associate of the Company
An associate of the Company
An associate of the Company
A joint venture of the Company
Under common control of CLIC
Under common control of CLIC

China Life Investment Holding Company Limited (“CLI”)
China Life Ecommerce Company Limited 

Under common control of CLIC
Under common control of CLIC

(“CL Ecommerce”)

China Life Enterprise Annuity Fund (“EAP”)

CL AMP Exchange Traded Realtime Fund (ii)
CL AMP Money Market Fund (ii)
CL AMP CSI 300 Index Fund (ii)
CL AMP Zunxiang Bond Fund (ii)
CL AMP Money Market Xinjinbao Fund (ii)

A pension fund jointly set up by the Company 
  and others
A consolidated structured entity of the Company
A consolidated structured entity of the Company
A consolidated structured entity of the Company
A consolidated structured entity of the Company
An indirect consolidated structured entity of 

the Company

(i) 

Golden Phoenix Tree Limited, King Phoenix Tree Limited and CL Wealth were incorporated in 2014.

(ii) 

These five funds were issued and managed by CL AMP in 2014.

198

 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(b)  Related parties with control relationship
Information of the parent company is as follows:

Name

CLIC

Location of 
registration Principal business

Relationship with 
the company

Nature of 
ownership

Legal 
representative

Immediate and 
ultimate holding 
company

State-owned

Yang 
Mingsheng

Beijing, 
China

Insurance services including receipt 
of premiums and payment of 
benefi ts in respect of the in-force 
life, health, accident and other types 
of personal insurance business, and 
the reinsurance business; holding or 
investing in domestic and overseas 
insurance companies or other 
fi nancial insurance institutions; fund 
management business permitted 
by national laws and regulations 
or approved by the State Council 
of the People’s Republic of China; 
and other businesses approved by 
insurance regulatory agencies.

Refer to Note 38 for the basic and related information of subsidiaries.

(c)  Registered capital of related parties with control relationship and changes during the year

Name of related party 

CLIC 
AMC 
Pension Company (i) 
Suzhou Pension Company 
CL AMP 
CL Wealth 

As at 31  
December 2013 
RMB million 

Increase 
RMB million 

Decrease 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2014
RMB million

4,600 
3,000 
2,500 
300 
588 
– 

– 
1,000 
– 
– 
– 
200 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

4,600
4,000
2,500
300
588
200

(i) 

On 31 December 2014, the CIRC approved Pension Company’s application to change its registered capital. After 

the capital contribution by the Company and other shareholder, Pension Company’s paid-in capital increased from 

RMB2,500  million  to  RMB3,400  million.  As  at  31  December  2014,  since  the  business  registration  modification 

procedure  for  Pension  Company  was  still  in  progress,  the  registered  capital  remained  RMB2,500  million.  The 

Company contributed capital of RMB441 million for the capital injection. The capital injection led to a decrease 

in the total percentage of the Group’s holding in Pension Company from 92.20% to 74.27%, an increase of non-

controlling  interests  of  RMB692  million,  and  other  reserves  of  RMB666  million  in  the  Group’s  consolidated 

financial statements.

199

 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(c)  Registered capital of related parties with control relationship and changes during the year 

(continued)

(ii) 

AMC HK and Golden Phoenix Tree Limited were registered in Hong Kong, and King Phoenix Tree Limited was 

registered in the Jersey Island, so the legal definition of registered capital is not applicable for them.

(d)  Percentages of holding of related parties with control relationship and changes during the 

year

Shareholder

As at 31 December 2013 
Percentage 
of holding 

Amount 
million 

Increase 
million 

Decrease 
million 

As at 31 December 2014
Percentage
of holding

Amount 
million

CLIC 

RMB19,324 

68.37% 

– 

– 

RMB19,324 

68.37%

Subsidiaries

As at 31 December 2013 
Percentage 
of holding 

Amount 
million 

Increase 
million 

Decrease 
million 

AMC 

RMB1,680 

Pension Company 

RMB2,305 

AMC HK 

HKD30 

Suzhou Pension Company 

RMB300 

CL AMP 

CL Wealth 

Golden Phoenix Tree Limited 

King Phoenix Tree Limited 

RMB500 

– 

– 

– 

60.00%  
directly 
92.20%  
directly 
and indirectly 
50.00% 
 indirectly 
100.00%  
directly 
85.03% 
 indirectly 
– 

– 

– 

– 

RMB441 

– 

– 

– 

RMB200 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

As at 31 December 2014
Percentage
of holding

Amount 
million

RMB1,680 

RMB2,746 

HKD30 

RMB300 

RMB500 

RMB200 

– 

– 

60.00% 
directly
74.27%
 directly
and indirectly
50.00%
 indirectly
100.00%
 directly
85.03%
 indirectly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
indirectly

200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(e)  Transactions with significant related parties

The following table summarises significant transactions carried out by the Group with its significant related 
parties:

Notes 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

(i)(vii) 
(ii.a) 

(ii.b) 
(viii) 
(ii.c) 

(iii)(vii) 
(iii) 

(iv) 

(viii) 
(ii.d) 

(v) 

Transactions with CLIC and its subsidiaries
  Policy management fee received from CLIC 
  Asset management fee received from CLIC 

Investment in the Group’s consolidated fund products from CLIC 

  Payment of dividends from the Company to CLIC 
  Distribution of profits from AMC to CLIC 
  Asset management fee received from CL Overseas 
  Capital contribution to CLP&C 
  Asset management fee received from CLP&C 
  Payment of insurance premium to CLP&C 
  Claim and other payments received from CLP&C 
  Agency fee received from CLP&C 
  Payment of an agency fee to CLP&C 
  Rental and a service fee received from CLP&C 
  Payment of rental, project fee and others expenses to CLRE 

Investment in the Group’s consolidated fund products from CLRE 

  Property leasing expenses charged by CLI 
  Asset management fee received from CLI 
  Payment to CLI for purchase of fixed assets 
  Payment of an asset management fee to CLI 
  Property leasing income received from CLI 

Investment in Group’s consolidated fund products from CL Ecommerce 

Transactions between CGB and the Group
Interest on deposits received from CGB 
  Commission expenses charged by CGB 
  Premiums received from CGB 
  Claim payment to CGB 

Transactions between Sino-Ocean and the Group
  Capital contribution to Sino-Ocean 
  Scrip dividend from Sino-Ocean (Note 8) 
  Cash dividend from Sino-Ocean (Note 8) 

Interest payment of subordinated debts received from Sino-Ocean 

  Project management fee paid to Sino-Ocean 

987 
128 
718 
5,797 
91 
30 
2,800 
11 
50 
18 
1,013 
4 
41 
35 
81 
86 
14 
79 
89 
29 
478 

838 
8 
6 
2 

– 
268 
131 
25 
34 

201

1,022
133
–
2,705
80
28
–
10
53
24
852
16
28
27
–
87
6
78
8
24
–

683
6
9
5

2,387
81
198
25
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(e)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Transactions between EAP and the Group
  Contribution to EAP 

Transactions between AMC and the Company
  Payment of an asset management fee to AMC 
  Distribution of profits from AMC 

Transactions between Pension Company and the Company
  Capital contribution to Pension Company 
  Rental received from Pension Company 
  Agency fee received from Pension Company for entrusted 

sales of annuity funds 

  Marketing fee income for promotion of annuity business 

from Pension Company 

Transactions between AMC HK and the Company
  Payment of an investment management fee to AMC HK 

Notes:

Notes 

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

286 

886 
137 

441 
23 

12 

19 

11 

(ii.e)(vii) 

(vi) 

(ii.f) 

262

846
121

–
17

11

23

8

(i) 

On  15  December  2011,  the  Company  and  CLIC  signed  a  confirmation  letter  to  renew  a  renewable  insurance 

agency  agreement  for  three  years,  effective  from  1  January  2012  to  31  December  2014,  whereby  the  Company 

was engaged to provide various policy administration services to CLIC in relation to the non-transferred policies. 

The  Company,  as  a  service  provider,  does  not  acquire  any  rights  or  assume  any  obligations  as  an  insurer  of 

the  non-transferrable  policies.  In  consideration  of  the  services  provided  under  the  agreement,  CLIC  paid  the 

Company a policy management fee based on the estimated cost of providing the services, plus a margin. The policy 

management fee was payable semi-annually, and is equal to the sum of (1) the number of non-transferred policies 

in force as at the last day of the period, multiplied by RMB8.00 per policy and (2) 2.50% of the actual premiums 

and deposits collected during the period, in respect of such policies. The policy management fee income is included 

in other income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

(ii.a)  On  29  December  2011,  CLIC  signed  a  renewable  asset  management  agreement  with  AMC,  entrusting  AMC 

to  manage  and  make  investments  of  its  insurance  funds.  The  agreement  is  effective  from  1  January  2012  to  31 

December 2014, whereby CLIC paid AMC a basic service fee at the rate of 0.05% per annum for the management 

of insurance funds. The service fee was calculated and payable on a monthly basis, by multiplying the average net 

asset  value  of  the  assets  under  management  (after  deducting  the  funds  obtained  and  interests  accrued  for  from 

repurchase transactions) at the beginning and the end of any given month by the rate of 0.05%, divided by 12. At 

the end of each year, CLIC assessed the investment performance of the assets managed by AMC, compared actual 

results against benchmark returns and made adjustment to the basic service fee.

202

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(e)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Notes (continued):

(ii.b)  On 24 January 2014, CL Overseas renewed an investment management agreement with AMC HK, effective from 1 

January 2014 to 31 December 2014. According to the agreement, CL Overseas entrusted AMC HK to manage and 

make investments of its insurance funds and paid AMC HK a basic investment management fee and an investment 

performance  fee.  The  basic  investment  management  fee  is  accrued  for  by  multiplying  the  weighted  average  total 

funds  by  the  basic  fee  rate.  The  investment  performance  fee  was  calculated  based  on  the  difference  between  total 

actual annual yield and predetermined net realized yield. The basic investment management fee was calculated and 

payable  on  a  semi-annual  basis.  The  investment  performance  fee  was  payable  according  to  the  total  actual  annual 

yield at the end of each year.

(ii.c)  In  2012,  CLP&C  signed  an  agreement  for  the  management  of  insurance  funds  with  AMC,  entrusting  AMC  to 

manage  and  make  investments  of  its  insurance  funds.  The  agreement  was  effective  till  31  December  2013  and 

subject to an automatic one-year renewal if no objections were raised by both parties upon expiry. The agreement 

was automatically renewed for another year, effective from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. According to the 

agreement, CLP&C paid AMC a fixed service fee and a variable service fee. The fixed service fee was calculated and 

payable on a monthly basis, by multiplying the average net asset value of each category asset under management at 

the beginning and the end of any given month by the responding annual investment management fee rate, divided 

by 12. The variable service fee was linked to investment performance.

(ii.d)  On 22 March 2013, the Company and CLI signed a management agreement of alternative investment of insurance 

funds,  which  was  effective  till  31  December  2013  and  subject  to  an  automatic  one-year  renewal  if  no  objections 

were  raised  by  both  parties  upon  expiry.  The  agreement  was  automatically  renewed  for  another  year,  effective 

from  1  January  2014  to  31  December  2014.  According  to  the  agreement,  the  Company  entrusted  CLI  to  engage 

in specialized investment, operation and management of real estates, equities and related financial products under 

the instructions of the annual guidelines. The Company paid CLI a basic asset management fee and a performance 

related  bonus  or  charged  a  performance  related  deduction.  The  basic  asset  management  fee  was  calculated  by 

multiplying  the  total  investment  with  a  management  fee  rate  of  0.6%,  and  paid  on  a  quarterly  basis;  and  the 

performance related bonus or deduction was calculated based on the comprehensive investment yield. On 15 April 

2014,  the  Company  and  CLI  signed  a  supplementary  agreement  to  the  management  agreement  of  alternative 

investment  of  insurance  funds,  effective  from  the  date  on  which  the  investment  instruction  of  2014  was  issued 

to  31  December  2014.  During  the  effective  period  of  the  supplementary  agreement,  the  performance  assessment 

and  evaluation  method  in  the  investment  instruction  of  2014  replaced  the  relevant  parts  in  the  abovementioned 

management agreement of alternative investment of insurance funds. In accordance with the investment instruction 

of  2014,  the  performance  related  bonus  or  deduction  was  linked  to  the  realised  investment  yield  and  the 

comprehensive investment yield.

(ii.e)  On  27  December  2012,  the  Company  and  AMC  entered  into  a  renewable  agreement  for  the  management  of 

insurance funds, effective from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014. The agreement was subject to an automatic 

one-year  renewal  if  no  objections  were  raised  by  both  parties  upon  expiry.  According  to  the  agreement,  the 

Company  entrusted  AMC  to  manage  and  make  investments  of  its  insurance  funds  and  paid  AMC  a  fixed  service 

fee  and  a  variable  service  fee.  The  fixed  annual  service  fee  was  calculated  and  payable  on  a  monthly  basis,  by 

multiplying the average net asset value of the assets under management and the rate of 0.05%; the variable service 

fee was payable annually, based on the results of performance evaluation, at 20% of the fixed service fee per annum. 

The  service  fees  were  determined  by  the  Company  and  AMC  based  on  an  analysis  of  the  cost  of  service,  market 

practice  and  the  size  and  composition  of  the  asset  pool  to  be  managed.  Asset  management  fees  charged  to  the 

Company by AMC are eliminated in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

203

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(e)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Notes (continued):

(ii.f)  On  19  September  2013,  the  Company  and  AMC  HK  renewed  the  offshore  investment  management  service 

agreement,  effective  for  two  years  starting  from  the  signing  date.  The  agreement  was  subject  to  an  automatic 

one-year  renewal  if  no  objections  were  raised  by  both  parties  upon  expiry.  According  to  the  agreement,  the 

Company  entrusted  AMC  HK  to  manage  and  make  investment  of  its  insurance  funds  and  paid  AMC  HK  asset 

management  fee.  The  asset  management  fee  was  calculated  at  a  fixed  rate  of  0.40%  of  portfolio  asset  value 

and  a  performance  bonus  capped  at  0.15%  of  portfolio  asset  value  for  assets  managed  on  a  discretionary  basis. 

Management fees on assets managed on a non-discretionary basis are calculated at 0.05% of portfolio asset value. 

The above management fee was calculated based on the net value of the entrusted asset from the monthly reports 

provided  by  the  trustee,  without  deducting  the  monthly  management  fee  payable.  The  fixed  management  fee  was 

calculated  monthly  and  payable  quarterly.  Performance  bonus  was  calculated  and  payable  on  an  annual  basis. 

Asset  management  fees  charged  to  the  Company  by  AMC  HK  are  eliminated  in  the  consolidated  statement  of 

comprehensive income.

(iii)  The Company and CLP&C renewed a 2-year framework insurance agency agreement on 8 March 2012, whereby 

CLP&C entrusted the Company to act as an agent to sell designated P&C insurance products in certain authorized 

jurisdictions.  The  agency  fee  was  determined  based  on  cost  (tax  included)  plus  a  margin.  The  agreement  was 

subject to an automatic one-year renewal if no objections were raised by both parties upon expiry. The agreement 

was automatically renewed for another year from 8 March 2014.

On  8  April  2012,  the  Company  and  CLP&C  signed  a  2-year  framework  insurance  agency  agreement,  whereby 

the Company entrusted CLP&C to act as an agent to sell designated life insurance products in certain authorised 

jurisdictions.  The  brokerage  fee  was  determined  based  on  cost  (tax  included)  plus  a  margin.  The  agreement  was 

subject to an automatic one-year renewal if no objections were raised by both parties upon expiry. The agreement 

was automatically renewed for another year from 8 April 2014.

(iv)  On  31  December  2012,  the  Company  signed  a  property  leasing  agreement  with  CLI,  effective  till  31  December 

2014, pursuant to which CLI leased to the Company certain owned and leased buildings. Annual rental payable by 

the Company to CLI in relation to the CLI properties is determined either by reference to the market rent, or, the 

costs incurred by CLI in holding and maintaining the properties, plus a margin of approximately 5%. The rental 

was paid on a semi-annual basis, and each payment was equal to one half of the total annual rental.

(v)  On  19  April  2012,  the  Company  and  CGB  renewed  an  insurance  agency  agreement  to  distribute  insurance 

products.  All  individual  insurance  products  suitable  for  distribution  through  bancassurance  channels  are  included 

in  the  agreement.  CGB  provides  agency  services,  including  the  selling  of  insurance  products,  and  collecting 

premiums and paying benefits. The Company paid the agency commission by multiplying the net amount of total 

premiums received from sale of each category individual insurance product after deducting the withdrawn policies 

premiums  in  the  hesitation  period,  by  the  responding  fixed  commission  rate.  The  commission  rates  for  various 

insurance  products  sold  by  CGB  are  agreed  based  on  arm’s  length  transactions.  The  commissions  are  payable  on 

a  monthly  basis.  The  agreement  is  effective  for  three  years  and  subject  to  an  automatic  one-year  renewal  with  no 

limitation of times if no objections were raised by either party upon expiry.

204

 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(e)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Notes (continued):

(vi) 

In  December  2011,  the  Company  and  Pension  Company  signed  an  agency  agreement  for  the  distribution  and 

customer  service  of  enterprise  annuity  funds  and  pension  management  business,  effective  till  28  December 

2012.  The  agreement  was  subject  to  an  automatic  one-year  renewal  if  no  objections  were  raised  by  either  party 

upon  expiry.  In  accordance  with  the  agreement,  Pension  Company  entrusted  the  Company  to  act  as  an  agent  to 

distribute  enterprise  annuity  fund  and  pension  management  business,  and  to  provide  related  customer  services. 

The commissions for the entrusting service of enterprise annuity fund management, which is the core business of 

Pension Company, are calculated at 30% to 50% of the annual entrusting management fee revenues, depending on 

the duration of the agreement. The commissions for account management service are calculated at 60% of the first 

year’s account management fee and were only charge for the first year, regardless of the duration of the agreement. 

The  commissions  for  investment  management  service,  in  accordance  with  the  duration  of  the  agreement,  are 

calculated  at  60%  to  3%  of  the  annual  investment  management  fee  (excluding  risk  reserves  for  investment),  and 

decreased  annually.  The  agreement  was  automatically  renewed  for  another  year  from  29  December  2012.  On  20 

November 2013, the Company and Pension Company renewed the agreement, effective for a year starting from 28 

November 2013.

On  27  November  2014,  the  Company  and  Pension  Company  renewed  the  agency  agreement  for  the  distribution 

and  customer  service  of  enterprise  annuity  funds,  pension  management  business  and  occupation  annuity.  The 

agreement  was  effective  for  one  year  starting  from  28  November  2014,  and  was  subject  to  an  automatic  one-year 

renewal if no objections were raised by both parties upon expiry. In the renewed agreement, the charge clause for 

the  entrusting  service  of  enterprise  annuity  fund  management,  which  is  the  core  business  of  Pension  Company, 

was  consistent  with  that  in  the  prior  year.  The  calculation  base,  method  and  charge  rate  for  the  agency  fee  of 

occupation annuity refer to enterprise annuity funds. The charge rate for the agency fee of group pension plan is in 

line with that of the investment management fee of enterprise annuity funds. The agency fee of personal pension 

plan is 30% of daily management fee of personal pension plan annually.

(vii)  These transactions constitute continuing connected transactions which are subject to reporting and announcement 

requirements  but  are  exempt  from  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirements  under  Chapter  14A  of  the 

Listing Rules. The Company has complied with the disclosure requirements in accordance with Chapter 14A of the 

Listing Rules.

(viii)  The  transaction  constitutes  a  one-off  connected  transaction  which  is  subject  to  reporting  and  announcement 

requirements  but  is  exempt  from  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirements  under  Chapter  14A  of  the 

Listing Rules. The Company has complied with the disclosure requirements in accordance with Chapter 14A of the 

Listing Rules.

205

 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(f)  Amounts due from/to significant related parties

The  following  table  summarises  the  balances  due  from  and  to  significant  related  parties.  The  balances  are 
non-interest  bearing,  unsecured  and  have  no  fixed  repayment  dates  except  for  the  deposits  with  CGB  and 
the subordinated debts issued by Sino-Ocean.

The resulting balance due from and to significant related parties of the Group
  Amount due from CLIC 
  Amount due to CLIC 
  Amount due from CL Overseas 
  Amount due from CLP&C 
  Amount due to CLP&C 
  Amount due from CLI 
  Amount due to CLI 
  Amount due from CLRE 
  Amount deposited with CGB 
  Amount due from CGB 
  Amount due to CGB 
  Subordinated debts of Sino-Ocean 
The resulting balance due from and to subsidiaries of the Company
  Amount due from Pension Company 
  Amount due to Pension Company 
  Amount due to AMC 
  Amount due to AMC HK 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

541 
(1) 
15 
114 
(6) 
12 
(49) 
2 
16,287 
296 
(1) 
260 

48 
(5) 
(225) 
(3) 

549
(1)
16
76
–
14
(32)
1
15,051
284
–
266

46
(3)
(73)
(2)

206

 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

33  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(g)  Key management compensation

For the year ended 31 December
2013
RMB million

2014 
RMB million 

Salaries and other benefits 

13 

26

The  total  compensation  package  for  the  Company’s  key  management  for  the  year  ended  31  December 
2014  has  not  yet  been  finalised  in  accordance  with  regulations  of  the  relevant  PRC  authorities.  The  final 
compensation  will  be  disclosed  in  a  separate  announcement  when  determined.  The  compensation  of  2013 
has  been  approved  by  the  relevant  authorities.  The  total  compensation  of  2013  was  RMB26  million, 
including a deferred payment about RMB5 million.

(h)  Transactions with state-owned enterprises

Under  IAS  24  Related  Party  Disclosures  (“IAS  24”),  business  transactions  between  state-owned  enterprises 
controlled  by  the  PRC  government  are  within  the  scope  of  related  party  transactions.  CLIC,  the  ultimate 
holding  company  of  the  Group,  is  a  state-owned  enterprise.  The  Group’s  key  business  is  insurance  and 
investment  related  and  therefore  the  business  transactions  with  other  state-owned  enterprises  are  primarily 
related  to  insurance  and  investment  activities.  The  related  party  transactions  with  other  state-owned 
enterprises were conducted in the ordinary course of business. Due to the complex ownership structure, the 
PRC government may hold indirect interests in many companies. Some of these interests may, in themselves 
or  when  combined  with  other  indirect  interests,  be  controlling  interests  which  may  not  be  known  to  the 
Group.  Nevertheless,  the  Group  believes  that  the  following  captures  the  material  related  parties  and  has 
applied IAS 24 exemption and disclosed only qualitative information.

As  at  and  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  most  of  bank  deposits  of  the  Group  were  with  state-
owned banks; the issuers of corporate bonds and subordinated bonds held by the Group were mainly state-
owned  enterprises.  For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  a  large  portion  of  its  group  insurance  business 
of  the  Group  were  with  state-owned  enterprises;  the  majority  of  bancassurance  commission  charges  were 
paid to state-owned banks and postal office; and almost all of the reinsurance agreements of the Group were 
entered into with a state-owned reinsurance company.

34  SHARE CAPITAL

As at 31 December 2014 

As at 31 December 2013

No. of shares 

RMB million 

No. of shares 

RMB Million

Registered, authorised, issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of RMB1 each 

28,264,705,000 

28,265 

28,264,705,000 

28,265

207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

34  SHARE CAPITAL (continued)

As at 31 December 2014, the Company’s share capital was as follows:

Owned by CLIC (i) 
Owned by other equity holders 
Including: Domestic listed 

  Overseas listed (ii) 

Total 

As at 31 December 2014

No. of shares 

RMB million

19,323,530,000 
8,941,175,000 
1,500,000,000 
7,441,175,000 

19,324
8,941
1,500
7,441

28,264,705,000 

28,265

(i) 

All shares owned by CLIC are domestic listed shares.

(ii)  Overseas listed shares are traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and the New York Stock Exchange.

35  RESERVES

Group

  Share of other
Unrealised  comprehensive
 income  
of investees  
under  
the equity  
method 

gains/ 
(losses) from  
available- 
for-sale  
securities 

Share 
 premium 

Other 
reserves 

Total
RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million  RMB million

Exchange
  differences on
translating 
 foreign
operations 

General 
reserve 

Statutory   Discretionary  
reserve  
fund 

reserve 
fund 

(a) 

(b) 

(c)

As at 1 January 2013 
Other comprehensive income for the year 
Appropriation to reserves 

53,860 
– 
– 

(9) 
– 
– 

5,374 
(21,209) 
– 

26 
(353) 
– 

19,171 
– 
2,470 

18,050 
– 
1,107 

16,040 
– 
2,505 

As at 31 December 2013 

53,860 

(9) 

(15,835) 

(327) 

21,641 

19,157 

18,545 

As at 1 January 2014 
Other comprehensive income for the year 
Appropriation to reserves 
Capital paid in 

53,860 
– 
– 
– 

(9) 
– 
– 
826 

(15,835) 
39,089 
– 
– 

(327) 
143 
– 
– 

21,641 
– 
3,160 
– 

19,157 
– 
2,470 
– 

18,545 
– 
3,202 
– 

(3) 
– 
– 

(3) 

(3) 
– 
– 
– 

112,509
(21,562)
6,082

97,029

97,029
39,232
8,832
826

As at 31 December 2014 

53,860 

817 

23,254 

(184) 

24,801 

21,627 

21,747 

(3) 

145,919

208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

35  RESERVES (continued)

Company

Unrealised 
gains/(losses)
from 
  available-for-sale  
securities 
RMB million 

Share premium 
RMB million 

Statutory 
reserve fund 
RMB million 
(a) 

Discretionary  
reserve fund 
RMB million 
(b) 

General
reserve 
RMB million 
(c)

Total
RMB million

As at 1 January 2013 
Other comprehensive 
income for the year 
Appropriation to reserve 

53,860 

5,356 

19,123 

18,050 

15,959 

112,348

– 
– 

(21,190) 
– 

– 
2,470 

– 
1,107 

– 
2,470 

(21,190)
6,047

As at 31 December 2013 

53,860 

(15,834) 

21,593 

19,157 

18,429 

97,205

As at 1 January 2014 
Other comprehensive 
income for the year 
Appropriation to reserves 

53,860 

(15,834) 

21,593 

19,157 

18,429 

97,205

– 
– 

39,011 
– 

– 
3,160 

– 
2,470 

– 
3,160 

39,011
8,790

As at 31 December 2014 

53,860 

23,177 

24,753 

21,627 

21,589 

145,006

(a) 

Pursuant to the relevant PRC laws, the Company appropriated 10% of its net profit under Chinese Accounting Standards 

(“CAS”)  to  statutory  reserve  which  amounted  to  RMB3,160  million  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  (2013: 

RMB2,470 million).

(b) 

Approved  by  the  Annual  General  Meeting  in  May  2014,  the  Company  appropriated  RMB2,470  million  to  the 

discretionary  reserve  fund  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  based  on  net  profit  under  CAS  (2013:  RMB1,107 

million).

(c) 

Pursuant to “Financial Standards of Financial Enterprises – Implementation Guide” issued by the Ministry of Finance of 

the PRC on 30 March 2007, for the year ended 31 December 2014, the Company appropriated 10% of net profit under 

CAS which amounted to RMB3,160 million to the general reserve for future uncertain catastrophes, which cannot be used 

for dividend distribution or conversion to share capital increment (2013:RMB2,470 million). In addition, pursuant to the 

CAS, the Group appropriated RMB42 million to the general reserve of its subsidiaries attributable to the Company in the 

consolidated financial statements (2013: RMB35 million).

Under related PRC law, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Any distributable profits that are 
not distributed in a given year are retained and available for distribution in subsequent years.

209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

36  PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

The following is a summary of the significant contingent liabilities:

Group 

Company

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2013 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Pending lawsuits 

389 

215 

389 

215

The  Group  involves  in  certain  lawsuits  arising  from  the  ordinary  course  of  businesses.  In  order  to  accurately 
disclose the contingent liabilities for pending lawsuits, the Group analyzed all pending lawsuits case by case at the 
end of each reporting period. A provision will only be recognised if management determines, based on third-party 
legal advice, that the Group has present obligations and the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow 
of  the  Group’s  resources  embodying  economic  benefits,  and  the  amount  of  such  obligations  could  be  reasonably 
estimated.  Otherwise,  the  Group  will  disclose  the  pending  lawsuits  as  contingent  liabilities.  As  at  31  December 
2014  and  2013,  the  Group  had  other  contingent  liabilities  but  disclosure  of  such  was  not  practical  because  the 
amounts of liabilities could not be reliably estimated.

37  COMMITMENTS

(a)  Capital commitments

The  Group  and  the  Company  had  the  following  capital  commitments  relating  to  property  development 
projects and investments:

Group 

Company

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2013 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Contracted, but not provided for

Investments 

  Property, plant and equipment 
  Others 

23,929 
9,887 
87 

7,690 
7,830 
65 

23,929 
9,887 
87 

7,690
7,823
65

Total 

33,903 

15,585 

33,903 

15,578

Authorized, but not contracted for

Investments 

  Property, plant and equipment 

Total 

– 
65 

65 

5,834 
87 

5,921 

– 
65 

65 

5,834
87

5,921

210

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

37  COMMITMENTS (continued)

(b)  Operating lease commitments – as lessee

The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Group 

Company

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2013 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not 

later than five years 

Later than five years 

Total 

549 

753 
10 

1,312 

480 

472 
18 

970 

494 

690 
10 

1,194 

458

464
18

940

The  operating  lease  payments  charged  to  profit  before  income  tax  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014 
were RMB774 million (2013: RMB736 million).

(c)  Operating lease commitments – as lessor

The future minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Group 

Company

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2013 
RMB million 

As at 31 
December 2014 
RMB million 

As at 31
December 2013
RMB million

Not later than one year 
Later than one year but not 

later than five years 

Later than five years 

Total 

207 

361 
17 

585 

144 

247 
57 

448 

222 

389 
17 

628 

149

248
57

454

211

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

38 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

Company

As at 31 December
2014 
RMB million 

2013
RMB million

Unlisted investments at cost 

11,705 

4,165

(a)  The table below presents the basic information of the Company’s subsidiaries as at 31 December 2014:

Name 

AMC 

Pension Company 

Place of  
incorporation 
and operation 

Percentage 
of equity 
 interest held 

Registered capital 

Principal 
activities

PRC 

PRC 

60% directly 

RMB4,000 million 

Asset management

74.27% directly 
  and indirectly

RMB2,500 million 

Pension and annuity

AMC HK 

Hong Kong, PRC 

50% indirectly 

Not applicable 

Asset management

Suzhou Pension Company 

PRC 

100% directly 

RMB300 million 

Investment in retirement 
properties

CL AMP 

CL Wealth 

PRC 

PRC 

85.03% indirectly 

RMB588 million 

Fund management

100% indirectly 

RMB200 million 

Financial service

Golden Phoenix Tree Limited  Hong Kong, PRC 

100% directly 

Not Applicable 

Investment

King Phoenix Tree Limited 

Jersey Island 

100% indirectly 

Not Applicable 

Investment

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are not significant to the Company.

(b)  The  table  below  presents  the  basic  information  of  the  Company’s  consolidated  structured  entities  as  at  31 

December 2014:

Name 

Percentage of shares held 

Funds received 

Principal activities

CL AMP Exchange Traded Realtime Fund 
CL AMP Money Market Fund 
CL AMP CSI 300 Index Fund 
CL AMP Zunxiang Bond Fund 
CL AMP Money Market Xinjinbao Fund 

50.00% directly 
38.84% directly and indirectly 
52.10% directly 
45.00% directly and indirectly 
65.26% directly and indirectly 

RMB2,020 million 
RMB13,900 million 
RMB1,237 million 
RMB648 million 
RMB246 million 

Investment management
Investment management
Investment management
Investment management
Investment management

212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

39  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT’S 

REMUNERATION
The  total  compensation  package  for  these  directors,  supervisors,  chief  executive  and  senior  management  for  the 
year  ended  31  December  2014  has  not  yet  been  finalised  in  accordance  with  regulations  of  the  relevant  PRC 
authorities.  The  amount  of  the  compensation  not  provided  for  is  not  expected  to  have  a  significant  impact  on 
the  Group’s  2014  consolidated  financial  statements.  The  final  compensation  will  be  disclosed  in  a  separate 
announcement when determined.

(a)  Directors’ and chief executive’s emoluments

The  aggregate  amounts  of  emoluments  paid  to  directors  and  chief  executive  of  the  Company  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2014 are as follows:

Name 

Yang Mingsheng 
Wan Feng (i) 
Lin Dairen (ii) 
Liu Yingqi (iii) 
Miao Jianmin 
Zhang Xiangxian 
Wang Sidong 
Sun Changji (iv) 
Bruce Douglas Moore 
Anthony Francis Neoh 
Tang Jianbang (iv) 
Su Hengxuan (v) 
Miao Ping (v) 
Chang Tso Tung Stephen (vi) 
Huang Yiping (vi) 

Note:

Remuneration paid 

Benefits in kind 
RMB Thousand

445.5 
100.3 
399.9 
99.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
320.0 
300.0 
– 
198.3 
198.3 
80.0 
80.0 

402.9 
93.7 
370.9 
93.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
184.4 
184.3 
– 
– 

Total

848.4
194.0
770.8
192.2
–
–
–
–
320.0
300.0
–
382.7
382.6
80.0
80.0

(i)  Wan  Feng  was  appointed  as  non-executive  director  and  Vice  President  on  25  March  2014  and  resigned  as  non-

executive director and Vice President on 5 August 2014.

(ii) 

Lin Dairen was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on 29 April 2014.

(iii)  Liu Yingqi resigned as executive director on 25 March 2014.

(iv) 

Sun Changji and Tang Jianbang resigned as independent directors on 29 May 2014. The resignation would not be 

effective  until  the  appointment  of  new  independent  director  was  approved  by  the  CIRC.  In  accordance  with  the 

regulations of the relevant PRC authorities, the Company did not pay any emoluments to Sun Changji and Tang 

Jianbang within the reporting period.

(v) 

Su Hengxuan and Miao Ping were appointed as executive directors on 1 July 2014.

(vi)  Chang Tso Tung Stephen and Huang Yiping were appointed as independent directors on 20 October 2014.

213

 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

39  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT’S 

REMUNERATION (continued)

(a)  Directors’ and chief executive’s emoluments (continued)

The  aggregate  amounts  of  emoluments  paid  to  directors  and  chief  executive  of  the  Company  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2013 are as follows:

Performance 
 related 
 bonuses 

Basic  
salaries 

Subtotal 
of salary 
 income 

Deferred
 payment 
 included 
 in salary 
 income 

Benefits 
in kind 

RMB Thousand

442.0 
397.8 
393.4 
393.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
250.0 
250.0 
– 

973.9 
876.5 
866.8 
866.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
70.0 
50.0 
– 

1,415.9 
1,274.3 
1,260.2 
1,260.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
320.0 
300.0 
– 

487.0 
438.3 
433.4 
433.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

383.2 
353.0 
349.4 
349.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Deferred 
payment  
included  
in total 

Actual paid
included
in total

487.0 
438.3 
433.4 
433.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,312.1
1,189.0
1,176.2
1,176.2
–
–
–
–
320.0
300.0
–

Total 

1,799.1 
1,627.3 
1,609.6 
1,609.6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
320.0 
300.0 
– 

Name 

Yang Mingsheng 
Wan Feng 
Lin Dairen 
Liu Yingqi 
Miao Jianmin 
Zhang Xiangxian 
Wang Sidong 
Sun Changji 
Bruce Douglas Moore 
Anthony Francis Neoh 
Tang Jianbang 

The compensation amounts for these directors for the year ended 31 December 2013 were restated based on 
the finalised amounts determined during 2014.

In  addition  to  the  directors’  emoluments  disclosed  above,  certain  directors  of  the  Company  receive 
emoluments  from  CLIC,  the  amounts  of  which  have  not  been  apportioned  between  their  services  to  the 
Company and their services to CLIC.

214

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

39  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT’S 

REMUNERATION (continued)

(b)  Supervisors’ emoluments

The aggregate amounts of emoluments paid to supervisors of the Company for the year ended 31 December 
2014 are as follows:

Name 

Xia Zhihua 
Shi Xiangming 
Luo Zhongmin (i) 
Yang Cuilian 
Li Xuejun 
Xiong Junhong (ii) 

Remuneration paid 

Benefits in kind 
RMB Thousand

396.5 
615.5 
62.5 
615.5 
589.8 
– 

371.5 
378.9 
– 
381.4 
374.0 
– 

Total

768.0
994.4
62.5
996.9
963.8
–

(i) 

Luo Zhongmin resigned as external supervisor on 29 May 2014.

(ii) 

Xiong Junhong was appointed as supervisor on 20 October 2014.

The aggregate amounts of emoluments paid to supervisors of the Company for the year ended 31 December 
2013 are as follows:

Performance 
related  
bonuses 

Basic  
salaries 

Subtotal 
of salary 
 income 

393.4 
615.5 
120.0 
589.8 
589.8 

866.8 
482.1 
30.0 
499.9 
462.0 

1,260.2 
1,097.6 
150.0 
1,089.7 
1,051.8 

Deferred
 payment 
 included 
in salary  
income 

Benefits  
in kind 

RMB Thousand

433.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 

349.4 
332.7 
– 
338.0 
329.0 

Deferred
payment 
included 
in total 

Actual paid 
included
 in total

433.4 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,176.2
1,430.3
150.0
1,427.7
1,380.8

Total 

1,609.6 
1,430.3 
150.0 
1,427.7 
1,380.8 

Name 

Xia Zhihua 
Shi Xiangming 
Luo Zhongmin 
Yang Cuilian 
Li Xuejun 

The compensation amounts for these supervisors for the year ended 31 December 2013 were restated based 
on the finalised amounts determined during 2014.

215

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2014

39  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT’S 

REMUNERATION (continued)

(c)  Five highest paid individuals

The five individuals whose emoluments were the highest in the Company include one director (2013: four 
directors) whose emoluments are reflected in the analysis presented above.

Details of remuneration of the remaining four (2013: one) highest paid individuals are as follows:

2014 
RMB 
Thousand 

2013
RMB
Thousand

Basic salaries, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind 

3,816 

1,610

The emoluments fell within the following bands:

RMB0 – RMB1,000,000 
RMB1,000,001 – RMB2,000,000 
RMB2,000,001 – RMB3,000,000 
RMB3,000,001 – RMB4,000,000 
RMB4,000,001 – RMB4,500,000 

Number of individuals

2014 

2013

4 
– 
– 
– 
– 

–
1
–
–
–

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  no  emoluments  have  been  paid  by  the  Company  to  the  directors 
or  any  of  the  five  highest  paid  individuals  as  an  inducement  to  join  or  upon  joining  the  Company  or  as 
compensation for loss of office (for the year ended 31 December 2013: Nil).

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

BACKGROUND
China Life Insurance Company Limited prepares financial statements to public investors in accordance with the relevant 
accounting standards. An alternative measure of the value and profitability of a life insurance company can be provided 
by the embedded value method. Embedded value is an actuarially determined estimate of the economic value of the life 
insurance business of an insurance company based on a particular set of assumptions about future experience, excluding 
the economic value of future new business. In addition, the value of one year’s sales represents an actuarially determined 
estimate  of  the  economic  value  arising  from  new  life  insurance  business  issued  in  one  year  based  on  a  particular  set  of 
assumptions about future experience.

China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited  believes  that  reporting  the  Company’s  embedded  value  and  value  of  one 
year’s sales provides useful information to investors in two respects. First, the value of the Company’s in-force business 
represents the total amount of distributable earnings, in present value terms, which can be expected to emerge over time, 
in accordance with the assumptions used. Second, the value of one year’s sales provides an indication of the value created 
for investors by new business activity based on the assumptions used and hence the potential of the business. However, 
the  information  on  embedded  value  and  value  of  one  year’s  sales  should  not  be  viewed  as  a  substitute  of  financial 
measures under the relevant accounting basis. Investors should not make investment decisions based solely on embedded 
value information and the value of one year’s sales.

It is important to note that actuarial standards with respect to the calculation of embedded value are still evolving. There 
is  still  no  universal  standard  which  defines  the  form,  calculation  methodology  or  presentation  format  of  the  embedded 
value  of  an  insurance  company.  Hence,  differences  in  definition,  methodology,  assumptions,  accounting  basis  and 
disclosures may cause inconsistency when comparing the results of different companies.

Also,  the  calculation  of  embedded  value  and  value  of  one  year’s  sales  involves  substantial  technical  complexity  and 
estimates  can  vary  materially  as  key  assumptions  are  changed.  Therefore,  special  care  is  advised  when  interpreting 
embedded value results.

The  values  shown  below  do  not  consider  the  future  financial  impact  of  transactions  between  the  Company  and  CLIC, 
CLI, AMC, Pension Company, CLP&C, and etc.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

DEFINITIONS OF EMBEDDED VALUE AND VALUE OF ONE YEAR’S SALES
The embedded value of a life insurer is defined as the sum of the adjusted net worth and the value of in-force business 
allowing for the cost of capital supporting a company’s desired solvency margin.

“Adjusted net worth” is equal to the sum of:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

Net assets, defined as assets less PRC solvency policy reserves and other liabilities; and

Net-of-tax  adjustments  for  relevant  differences  between  the  market  value  and  the  book  value  of  assets,  together 
with relevant net-of-tax adjustments to certain liabilities.

The market value of assets can fluctuate significantly over time due to the impact of the prevailing market environment. 
Hence the adjusted net worth can fluctuate significantly between valuation dates.

The  “value  of  in-force  business”  and  the  “value  of  one  year’s  sales”  are  defined  here  as  the  discounted  value  of  the 
projected  stream  of  future  after-tax  distributable  profits  for  existing  in-force  business  at  the  valuation  date  and  for  one 
year’s  sales  in  the  12  months  immediately  preceding  the  valuation  date.  Distributable  profits  arise  after  allowance  for 
PRC solvency reserves and solvency margins at the required regulatory minimum level.

The  value  of  in-force  business  and  the  value  of  one  year’s  sales  have  been  determined  using  a  traditional  deterministic 
discounted  cash  flow  methodology.  This  methodology  makes  implicit  allowance  for  the  cost  of  investment  guarantees 
and policyholder options, asset/liability mismatch risk, credit risk, the risk of operating experience’s fluctuation and the 
economic cost of capital through the use of a risk-adjusted discount rate.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

PREPARATION AND REVIEW
The  embedded  value  and  the  value  of  one  year’s  sales  were  prepared  by  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited  in 
accordance  with  “Life  Insurance  Embedded  Value  Reporting  Guidelines”  issued  by  China  Insurance  Regulatory 
Commission. Towers Watson, an international firm of consultants, performed a review of China Life’s embedded value. 
The  review  statement  from  Towers  Watson  is  contained  in  the  “Towers  Watson’s  review  opinion  report  on  embedded 
value” section.

On  15  May  2012,  the  Ministry  of  Finance  and  the  State  Administration  of  Taxation  issued  the  “Notice  on  Corporate 
Income  Tax  Deduction  of  Reserves  for  Insurance  Companies”  (Cai  Shui  [2012]  No.  45),  requiring  the  taxation  basis 
to  be  based  on  accounting  profits.  Based  on  the  above  regulation,  in  preparing  the  2014  embedded  value  report,  the 
adjusted net worth has reflected the tax treatment in accordance with accounting profits. When calculating the value of 
in-force  business  and  value  of  one  year’s  sales,  as  there  is  uncertainty  in  the  accounting  liability  assumptions  in  future 
valuation  periods  (such  as  valuation  interest  rates),  correspondingly,  numerous  scenarios  could  be  possible  as  to  future 
accounting  profits.  Consequently,  we  have  adopted  the  profits  based  on  the  solvency  liability  in  projecting  future  tax 
payable in the base scenario. We also disclose the value of in-force business and value of one year’s sales calculated using 
tax  payable  based  on  the  accounting  profits  in  accordance  to  the  “Provisions  on  the  Accounting  Treatment  Related  to 
Insurance Contracts” under one possible scenario in the table 4 of “SENSITIVITY RESULTS”.

ASSUMPTIONS

Economic assumptions:
The  calculations  are  based  upon  assumed  corporate  tax  rate  of  25%  for  all  years.  The  investment  returns  are  assumed 
to  be  grading  from  5.1%  to  5.5%  by  0.1%  every  year  (remaining  level  thereafter).  12%  grading  to  17%  by  1%  every 
year  (remaining  level  thereafter)  of  the  investment  return  is  assumed  to  be  exempt  from  income  tax.  These  investment 
return and tax exempt assumptions are based on the Company’s strategic asset mix and expected future returns. The risk-
adjusted discount rate used is 11%.

Other  operating  assumptions  such  as  mortality,  morbidity,  lapses  and  expenses  are  based  on  the  Company’s  recent 
operating experience and expected future outlook.

219

China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
The embedded value as at 31 December 2014 and the value of one year’s sales for the 12 months to 31 December 2014, 
and their corresponding results as at 31 December 2013 are shown below:

Table 1
Components of Embedded Value and Value of One Year’s Sales  

ITEM  

A  
B  
C  
D  
E  
F 
G  
H  

Adjusted Net Worth 
Value of In-Force Business before Cost of Solvency Margin 
Cost of Solvency Margin 
Value of In-Force Business after Cost of Solvency Margin (B + C) 
Embedded Value (A + D) 
Value of One Year’s Sales before Cost of Solvency Margin 
Cost of Solvency Margin 
Value of One Year’s Sales after Cost of Solvency Margin (F + G) 

RMB million

31 December 
2014 

31 December
2013

194,236 
300,712 
(40,042) 
260,670 
454,906 
26,633 
(3,380) 
23,253 

107,522
271,837
(37,135)
234,702
342,224
24,421
(3,120)
21,300

Notes:  

1) Numbers may not be additive due to rounding.

2)  Taxable  incomes  in  embedded  value  and  the  value  of  one  year’s  sales  are  based  on  earnings  calculated  using  solvency 

reserves.

VALUE OF ONE YEAR’S SALES BY CHANNEL
The value of one year’s sales by channel is shown below:

Table 2
Value of One Year’s Sales by Channel  

Channel 

Exclusive Individual Agent Channel 
Group Insurance Channel 
Bancassurance Channel 
Total 

Notes:  

1) Numbers may not be additive due to rounding.

2) Taxable income is based on earnings calculated using solvency reserves.

RMB million

31 December 
2014 

31 December
2013

21,740 
464 
1,048 
23,253 

19,639
532
1,129
21,300

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

MOVEMENT ANALYSIS
The following analysis tracks the movement of the embedded value from the start to the end of the Reporting Period.

Table 3
Analysis of Embedded Value Movement in 2014  

ITEM

Embedded Value at Start of Year 
Expected Return on Embedded Value 
Value of New Business in the Period 

A  
B  
C  
D   Operating Experience Variance 
E  
Investment Experience Variance 
F   Methodology, Model and Assumption Changes 
G   Market Value and Other Adjustments 
H  
I  
J  
K  

Exchange Gains or Losses 
Shareholder Dividend Distribution 
Other 
Embedded Value as at 31 December 2014 (sum A through J) 

RMB million

342,224
37,516
23,253
563
39,338
(3,209)
24,458
26
(8,479)
(783)
454,906

Notes:   1)  Numbers may not be additive due to rounding.

2)  Items B through J are explained below:

B  

Reflects expected impact of covered business, and the expected return on investments supporting the 2014 opening 

net worth.

Value of new business sales in 2014.

Reflects  the  difference  between  actual  operating  experience  in  2014  (including  mortality,  morbidity,  lapse,  and 

expenses etc.) and the assumptions.

Compares actual with expected investment returns during 2014.

Reflects the effect of projection method, model enhancements and assumption changes.

Change  in  the  market  value  adjustment  from  the  beginning  of  year  2014  to  31  December  2014  and  other  related 

C  

D  

E  

F  

G 

adjustments.

H  

Reflects the gains or losses due to changes in exchange rate.

I 

J 

Reflects dividends distributed to shareholders during 2014.

Other miscellaneous items.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

SENSITIVITY RESULTS
Sensitivity  testing  was  performed  using  a  range  of  alternative  assumptions.  In  each  of  the  sensitivity  tests,  only  the 
assumption  referred  to  was  changed,  with  all  other  assumptions  remaining  unchanged.  The  results  are  summarized 
below:

Table 4
Sensitivity Results  

RMB million

VALUE OF IN-FORCE  VALUE OF ONE YEAR’S
BUSINESS AFTER COST OF  SALES AFTER COST OF
SOLVENCY MARGIN

SOLVENCY MARGIN 

Base case scenario 
1.  
2.  
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 

Risk discount rate of 11.5% 
Risk discount rate of 10.5% 
10% increase in investment return 
10% decrease in investment return 
10% increase in expenses 
10% decrease in expenses 
10% increase in mortality rate for non-annuity products
and 10% decrease in mortality rate for annuity products 
10% decrease in mortality rate for non-annuity products
and 10% increase in mortality rate for annuity products 
10% increase in lapse rates 
10% decrease in lapse rates 
10% increase in morbidity rates 
10% decrease in morbidity rates 
10% increase in claim ratio of short term business 
10% decrease in claim ratio of short term business 
Solvency margin at 150% of statutory minimum 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 

16.  Using 2013 EV assumptions 

17.  Taxable income based on the accounting profit

in accordance to the Provisions on the Accounting
Treatment Related to Insurance Contracts under one
possible scenario 

260,670 
248,363 
273,875 
301,993 
219,647 
257,909 
263,431 

258,517 

262,860 
259,675 
261,613 
258,351 
263,013 
260,316 
261,024 
241,056 

263,638 

23,253
21,962
24,640
26,555
19,971
21,435
25,070

23,128

23,378
22,863
23,585
23,118
23,388
22,045
24,460
21,519

23,274

262,577 

22,894

Note:  Taxable income is based on earnings calculated using solvency reserves for Scenarios 1 to 16.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

TOWERS WATSON’S REVIEW OPINION REPORT ON EMBEDDED VALUE

To The Directors of China Life Insurance Company Limited

China Life Insurance Company Limited (“China Life”) has prepared embedded value results for the financial year ended 
31 December 2014 (“EV Results”). The disclosure of these EV Results, together with a description of the methodology 
and assumptions that have been used, are shown in the Embedded Value section.

China  Life  has  engaged  Towers  Watson  Management  Consulting  (Shenzhen)  Co.  Ltd.  Beijing  Branch  (“Towers 
Watson”)  to  review  its  EV  Results.  This  report  is  addressed  solely  to  China  Life  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  our 
engagement letter, and sets out the scope of our work and our conclusions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable 
law,  we  do  not  accept  or  assume  any  responsibility,  duty  of  care  or  liability  to  anyone  other  than  China  Life  for  or  in 
connection with our review work, the opinions we have formed, or for any statement set forth in this report.

Scope of work
Our scope of work covered:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

a review of the methodology used to develop the embedded value and value of one year’s sales as at 31 December 
2014, in the light of the requirements of the “Life Insurance Embedded Value Reporting Guidelines” issued by the 
China Insurance Regulatory Commission (“CIRC”) in September 2005;
a review of the economic and operating assumptions used to develop the embedded value and value of one year’s 
sales as at 31 December 2014;
a review of the results of China Life’s calculation of the EV Results.

In carrying out our review, we have relied on the accuracy of audited and unaudited data and information provided by 
China Life.

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China Life Insurance Company Limited     Annual Report 2014

Embedded Value

Opinion
Based on the scope of work above, we have concluded that:

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

the  embedded  value  methodology  used  by  China  Life  is  consistent  with  the  requirements  of  the  “Life  Insurance 
Embedded  Value  Reporting  Guidelines”  issued  by  the  CIRC.  The  methodology  applied  by  China  Life  is  a 
common  methodology  used  to  determine  embedded  values  of  life  insurance  companies  in  China  at  the  current 
time;
the  economic  assumptions  used  by  China  Life  are  internally  consistent,  have  been  set  with  regard  to  current 
economic  conditions,  and  have  made  allowance  for  the  company’s  current  and  expected  future  asset  mix  and 
investment strategy;
the operating assumptions used by China Life have been set with appropriate regard to past, current and expected 
future experience;
no changes have been assumed to the treatment of tax, but some sensitivity results relating to tax have been shown 
by China Life; and
the EV Results have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the methodology and assumptions 
set out in the Embedded Value section.

For and on behalf of Towers Watson
Michael Freeman 

  Wesley Cui

24th March 2015

224

 
 
In case of any discrepancy between the Chinese version and the English version of 
this  report,  the  Chinese  version  shall  prevail;  in  case  of  any  discrepancy  between 
the printed version and the website version of this report, the website version shall 
prevail.

The  cover  photo  of  the  printed  version  of  this  report  was  photographed  by 
Mr. Lan Yuxi of the Company.

Stock Code: 2628

Annual Report 2014

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