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China Life Insurance Company

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Sector Financial Services
Industry Insurance - Life
Employees 10,000+
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FY2020 Annual Report · China Life Insurance Company
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Stock Code : 2628

CONTENTS

01

  Prelude

Core Competitiveness

Honors and Awards

Business Highlights

Financial Summary

2

3

5

6

02

  Chairman’s Statement 

10

03

  Management  

Discussion and Analysis

Review of Business Operations  

14

in 2020

Business Analysis

Analysis of Specific Items

Technology Empowerment and 

Operations and Services

Performance of the Corporate 

Social Responsibility

Future Prospect

18

27

30

32

32

The Company is a life insurance company established 
in  Beijing,  China  on  30  June  2003  according  to 
the  Company  Law  and  the  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  a  leading  life  insurance  company 
in  China  and  possesses  an  extensive  distribution 
network  comprising  exclusive  agents,  direct  sales 
representatives,  and  dedicated  and  non-dedicated 
a g e n c i e s .   T h e   C o m p a n y   i s   o n e   o f   t h e   l a r g e s t 
institutional  investors  in  China,  and  becomes  one  of 
the  largest  insurance  asset  management  companies 
in China through its controlling shareholding in China 
Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited.  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 2020, the Company had approximately 317 
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.

04

07

  Embedded Value 

34

  Other Information

Basic Information of  

the Company

Index of Information  

Disclosure Announcements

Definitions and  

Material Risk Alert

08

  Financial Report

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated 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

109

112

115

116

122

124

126

127

129

05

  Significant Events

Material Litigations or Arbitrations 40

Major Connected Transactions

Material Contracts and  

Their Performance

Undertakings

Restriction on Major Assets

Targeted Poverty Alleviation

Others

06

  Corporate Governance

Report of the Board of Directors

Report of the Board of 

Supervisors

40

49

49

50

50

50

51

59

Changes in Ordinary Shares and 

63

Shareholders Information

Directors, Supervisors, Senior 
Management and Employees

67

Report of Corporate Governance

83

Long history 
and excellent 
brand

The  predecessor  of  the  Company,  one  of  the  first  batch  of  enterprises  to  underwrite 
insurance  business  in  China,  was  approved  by  the  Chinese  Government  for  establishment 
in  October  1949,  when  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  was  founded.  After  the  restructuring 
and  reorganization,  the  Company  was  successively  listed  home  and  abroad,  becoming  the 
first financial insurance enterprise in China triple-listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the 
Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Since its establishment, the 
Company  has  played  the  role  of  an  explorer  and  pioneer  in  China’s  life  insurance  industry, 
and has committed to creating a world-class financial insurance brand. Through long-term and 
continuous brand building, China Life has become one of the famous and strong brands in the 
world with growing brand value and influence. The brand of China Life has been selected as 
one of the “World’s 500 Most Influential Brands” published by World Brand Lab for fourteen 
consecutive  years,  ranking  No.127  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  and  was  again 
ranked No. 5 on the “2020 (the 17th session) China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list published 
by World Brand Lab.

Prominent 
principal 
business and 
sound financial 
strength

The Company sticks to its principal business, further explores the huge potentials of the life 
insurance market, and maintains its leading position in China’s life insurance market. In 2020, 
the  Company’s  gross  written  premiums  exceeded  RMB600  billion,  achieving  a  new  record 
high.  Through  the  long-term  development  and  accumulation,  China  Life  has  solid  financial 
strength  comparable  to  world-class  enterprises  in  the  world.  As  at  31  December  2020,  the 
Company’s total assets amounted to RMB4,252,410 million, ranking No.1 in the life insurance 
industry in China. As one of the largest institutional investors in China, the Company becomes 
one  of  the  largest  insurance  asset  management  companies  in  China  through  its  controlling 
shareholding in China Life Asset Management Company Limited. As at the end of 2020, the 
total market capitalization of the Company was USD138,900 million.

Well-
established 
network 
and leading 
technologies

The  Company  has  a  sound  institutional  and  services  network,  with  its  business  outlets  and 
services counters covering both urban and rural areas. As at the end of the Reporting Period, 
the  Company  had  approximately  20,000  branches1  and  the  number  of  sales  force  from 
all  channels  of  the  Company  was  over  1.458  million,  which  forms  a  unique  and  powerful 
distribution  and  services  network  in  China  and  through  which,  the  Company  becomes  the 
life  insurance  service  provider  within  the  reach  of  customers.  Moreover,  the  Company 
implemented  the  “Technology-driven  China  Life”  development  strategy  in  great  depth  by 
adhering  to  the  leading  concept  of  technological  innovation,  and  promoted  the  development 
of enterprise with excellent services, so as to cultivate its first-class operational management, 
risk control and customer services. The Company upgraded its operations and services to be 
more  Internet-based,  intelligent,  integrated  and  ecological,  providing  convenient  insurance 
services to the public through technology empowerment.

Profound and 
extensive 
customer base

The  Company  has  an  extensive  customer  base.  As  at  31  December  2020,  the  Company 
had  approximately  317  million  long-term  individual  and  group  life  insurance  policies,  annuity 
contracts and long-term health insurance policies in force, offering insurance services for more 
than 500 million customers.

Professional 
and stable core 
team

During  the  long  course  of  its  development,  the  Company  has  accumulated  a  wealth  of 
experience in operation and management and has a stable and professional management team 
that is well versed in the art of management in China’s life insurance market. The Company’s 
core management team and 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, experienced underwriting personnel, insurance actuaries and investment 
managers.  During  the  Reporting  Period,  there  was  no  movement  of  these  personnel  which 
might have a material impact on the Company.

1 

Including branches at the provincial or prefecture level, sub-branches, sales offices and sales & services offices.

2

Core CompetitivenessChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude“2020 Forbes Global 2000”, ranking 37th

“2020 Fortune China 500 List”, ranking 10th

“Most Respected Company in Asia”

 Forbes

 Fortune China

 Institutional Investor

“2020 Best Life Insurance Company in Asia”
“Outstanding Financial Enterprise for Poverty Alleviation of the Year”
 21st Century Business Herald

“Golden Dragon Award – 2020 Best Listed Insurance Company”

 Financial Times
“Gold Medal List of Chinese Financial Institution”

“Ark Prize for Insurance Company with  
High-quality Development in 2020”

“Ark Prize for Golden Insurance Service in 2020”
“Ark Prize for Technological Progress of China’s  

Insurance Industry in 2020”

 Securities Times 
“Assessment and Selection 
of the Ark Prizes for China’s Insurance Industry in 2020”

“Excellent Life Insurance Company of the Year”

 National Business Daily
“2020 Assessment and Selection of Golden Tripod Award in China”

“Influential Insurance Company of the Year”

 Hexun.com
The “18th Financial Annual Champion Awards”

“Corporate Social Responsibility Award of the Year”

 Shanghai Securities News
“Assessment and Selection of the 11th ‘Golden Wealth Management’”

3

Honors and AwardsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“People’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award  

– Annual Precedent Award”

 People’s Daily Online 
“Assessment and Selection of the 15th People’s Corporate Social Responsibility Awards”

“2020 Excellent Competitiveness  

– Targeted Poverty Alleviation Contribution Award”

 China Business Journal 
“Assessment and Selection of the 
12th Financial Institutions with Excellent Competitiveness”

“Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Award 2020”

 The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and Centre for 
Corporate Governance and Financial Policy of Hong Kong Baptist University 
“Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2020”

“Best Investor Relations of Listed Company”

 “Assessment and Selection of the 2020 China Securities ‘Golden Bauhinia Awards’” 
jointly organized by Hong Kong Tai Kung Wen Wei Media Group with the 
Listed Companies Association of Beijing, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, 
the Chinese Securities Association of Hong Kong, the Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong, 
the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries, Hong Kong Securities Professionals Association 
and China Merger and Acquisitions Association (Hong Kong) Limited

Shanghai Data Center being awarded the  

“National Green Data Center 2020”

 The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 
the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, 
the National Government Offices Administration, 
the CBIRC and the National Energy Administration 
“National Green Data Center 2020”

AI Intelligent Training being awarded the “2020 Synced  

Machine Intelligence Award by the Heart of the Machine”

 The Heart of the Machine Technology Co., Ltd., an authoritative assessment 
and selection organization for artificial intelligence awards in China
“2020 Synced Machine Intelligence Awards”

4

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums

Total assets

Net profit attributable to 
equity holders of the Company

612,265 million

4,252,410 million

50,268 million

Embedded value

Value of one year's sales

Gross investment income

1,072,140 million

58,373

million

198,596

million

Gross investment yield

Comprehensive investment yield

Comprehensive solvency ratio

5.30%

6.33%

268.92%

5

Business HighlightsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeMAJOR FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS

Major Financial Data1

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 profit attributable to ordinary 
share holders of the Company
Net cash inflow/(outflow) 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)3
Equity holders’ equity per share3
Ordinary share holders’ equity 

per share3

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 
operating activities per share3

Major financial ratios
Weighted average ROE (%)

Under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

2020

2019

Change

2018

2017

2016

RMB million

804,961
604,666
758,139

729,474
560,278
677,690

580,801
54,488

509,467
59,795

10.3%
7.9%
11.9%

14.0%
-8.9%

627,419
532,023
621,243

643,355
506,910
608,827

540,781
426,230
522,794

479,219
13,921

466,043
41,671

407,045
23,842

50,268

58,287

-13.8%

11,395

32,253

19,127

50,067

57,893

-13.5%

11,011

31,873

18,741

304,024

286,032

6.3%

147,552

200,990

89,098

4,252,410
4,095,454
3,795,479
450,051

3,726,734
3,573,154
3,317,392
403,764

14.1% 3,254,403
14.6% 3,104,014
14.4% 2,931,113
318,371
11.5%

2,897,591
2,753,124
2,572,281
320,933

2,696,951
2,573,049
2,389,303
303,621

1.77
15.92

2.05
14.28

-13.5%
11.5%

0.39
11.26

1.13
11.35

0.66
10.74

15.92

14.01

13.7%

10.99

11.08

10.47

10.76

10.12

6.3%

5.22

7.11

11.84

16.47

3.54

10.49

3.15

6.16

decrease
of 4.63
percentage
points
increase
of 0.23
percentage
point
increase
of 0.06
percentage
point

90.07

88.77

88.59

3.29

5.16

4.69

Gearing ratio4 (%)

89.25

89.02

Gross investment yield5 (%)

5.30

5.24

6

Financial SummaryChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:

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 + Derivative financial assets + Securities purchased under agreements to resell + Loans + Statutory deposits-restricted + 
Investment properties + Investments in associates and joint ventures

3. 

In calculating the percentage change of the “Earnings per share (basic and diluted)”, “Equity holders’ equity per share”, “Ordinary share holders’ equity 
per share” and “Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities per share”, the tail differences of the basic figures have been taken into account.

4.  Gearing ratio = Total liabilities/Total assets

5.  Gross  investment  yield  =  (Gross  investment  income  –  Interest  paid  for  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase)/((Investment  assets  at  the 
end of the previous year – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the previous year – Derivative financial liabilities at the end of 
the previous year + Investment assets at the end of the period – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the period – Derivative 
financial liabilities at the end of the period)/2)

7

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeMAJOR ITEMS OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE REASONS FOR CHANGE

RMB million

Major Items of the
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

Change Main Reasons for Change

Term deposits

545,667

535,260

1.9% –

Held-to-maturity securities

1,189,369

928,751

28.1% An increase in the allocation of 

government bonds

Available-for-sale securities

1,215,603

1,058,957

14.8% An increase in the allocation of available-

for-sale securities

Securities at fair value 
through profit or loss

161,570

141,608

14.1% An increase in the scale of debt-type 

assets in securities at fair value through 
profit or loss

Securities purchased under 

7,947

4,467

77.9% The needs for liquidity management

agreements to resell

Cash and cash equivalents

56,629

53,306

6.2% The needs for liquidity management 

Loans

658,535

608,920

8.1% An increase in policy loans and 
certificates of deposit

Investment properties

14,217

12,141

17.1% New investments in investment 

properties

Investments in associates 

239,584

222,983

7.4% An increase in investments in associates 

and joint ventures

Deferred tax assets

87

128

-32.0% Affected by an increase in fair value of 
available-for-sale securities

and joint ventures

Insurance contracts

2,973,225

2,552,736

16.5% The accumulation of insurance liabilities  
from new policies and renewals

Investment contracts

288,212

267,804

7.6% An increase in the scale of universal  

insurance accounts

Securities sold under 

122,249

118,088

3.5% The needs for liquidity management

agreements to repurchase

Annuity and other insurance 

55,031

51,019

7.9% An increase in maturities payable

balances payable

Interest-bearing loans and 

19,556

20,045

-2.4% –

other borrowingsNote

Deferred tax liabilities

15,286

10,330

48.0% Affected by an increase in fair value of 

available-for-sale securities

Equity holders’ equity

450,051

403,764

11.5% Due to the combined impact of total 

comprehensive income and profit 
distribution during the Reporting Period

Note: 

Interest-bearing loans and other borrowings include a three-year bank loan of EUR330 million with a maturity date on 8 September 2023, a five-year 
bank loan of GBP275 million with a maturity date on 25 June 2024, a five-year bank loan of USD860 million with a maturity date on 16 September 
2024, a six-month bank loan of EUR127 million with a maturity date on 13 January 2021 which is automatically renewed upon maturity pursuant to 
the terms of the agreement, a six-month bank loan of EUR78 million with a maturity date on 4 January 2021 which is automatically renewed upon 
maturity pursuant to the terms of the agreement. All the above are fixed rate loans. Interest-bearing loans and other borrowings also include a five-
year bank loan of USD970 million with a maturity date on 27 September 2024, and an eighteen-month bank loan of EUR110 million with a maturity 
date on 9 March 2022, both of which are floating rate loans.

8

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended 31 December

Major Items of the  
Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income

2020

2019

Change Main Reasons for Change

RMB million

Net premiums earned

Life insurance business

604,666

479,600

560,278

445,719

7.9% –

7.6% Due to the steady growth of life insurance 

business

Health insurance business

109,091

99,575

9.6% The Company greatly developed health 

insurance business

Accident insurance 

business

15,975

14,984

6.6% Due to the growth of accident insurance 

business

Investment income

154,497

139,919

10.4% An increase in interest income from 

Net realised gains on 
financial assets

Net fair value gains through 

21,900

19,251

profit or loss

14,583

1,831

696.5% An increase in spread income of equity 

debt-type investments and dividends 
from stocks

assets in available-for-sale securities

13.8% An increase in spread income of stocks 
in securities at fair value through profit 
or loss

Net gains on investments 
of associates and joint 
ventures

7,666

8,011

-4.3% A decrease in the profits of certain 

associates

Other income

9,315

8,195

13.7% An increase in income of investment 

management service fees by subsidiaries

Insurance benefits and 

claims expenses

Investment contract 

benefits

580,801

509,467

14.0% An increase in the change of insurance 

contract liabilities

9,846

9,157

7.5% An increase in the scale of universal 

insurance accounts

Policyholder dividends 

28,279

22,375

26.4% An increase in investment yield from the 

resulting from participation 
in profits

participating accounts

Underwriting and policy 

84,342

81,396

3.6% Due to the Company’s business growth

acquisition costs

Finance costs

3,747

4,255

-11.9% A decrease in interest paid for securities 

sold under agreements to repurchase

Administrative expenses

37,687

40,275

-6.4% Due to a decrease in expenses amid the 

COVID-19 pandemic and the reinforced 
cost administration by the Company

Income tax

3,103

781

297.3% Due to the impact from the adjustment 

Net profit attributable to 
equity holders of the 
Company

50,268

58,287

of the policy on pre-tax deduction of 
underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
adopted in 2019

-13.8% Due to the combined impact of the update 
of discount rate assumptions for reserves 
of traditional insurance contracts, the 
adjustment of the policy on pre-tax 
deduction of underwriting and policy 
acquisition costs adopted in 2019 and the 
change in gross investment income

9

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | PreludeChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Prelude 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looking  back  at  the  past  year,  in  the  face 
o f  t h e  u n e x p e c t e d  C O V I D - 1 9  p a n d e m i c 
a n d  a  c o m p l i c a t e d  a n d  t o u g h  e x t e r n a l 
environment, China Life closely followed the 
national  guidance,  maintained  its  strategic 
consistency,  and  continued  to  seek  high-
quality development. We proceeded well with 
both the pandemic control and the reform and 
development, and achieved a steady growth 
of our key performance indicators, including 
e m b e d d e d  v a l u e  a n d  p r e m i u m  i n c o m e , 
serving the overall stable development of the 
life  insurance  industry  and  fully  achieving 
the goal for the first stage of the “China Life 
Revitalization” initiative as well as the targets 
set in the “13th Five-Year Plan”. I, on behalf 
of  the  Company’s  board  of  directors  (the 
“Board”), hereby report to shareholders and 
the public on the Company’s operating results 
for the year of 2020.

During the Reporting Period, the Company’s comprehensive 
strength  was  further  enhanced  and  its  leading  market 
position  was  consolidated.  The  Company’s  gross  written 
premiums  amounted  to  RMB612,265  million,  exceeding 
RMB600  billion  for  the  first  time  and  achieving  a  new 
record  high.  The  embedded  value  of  the  Company 
exceeded  RMB1  trillion,  reaching  RMB1,072,140  million 
and  leading  the  industry.  Total  assets  exceeded  RMB4 
trillion,  amounting  to  RMB4,252,410  million,  an  increase 
of 14.1% from the end of 2019. Net profit attributable to 
equity  holders  of  the  Company  was  RMB50,268  million. 
As at the end of the Reporting Period, the core solvency 
ratio and the comprehensive solvency ratio were 260.10% 
and  268.92%,  respectively.  The  Board  has  proposed  to 

distribute  an  annual  cash  dividend  of  RMB0.64  per  share 
(inclusive of tax) and such proposal will be submitted to the 
2020 Annual General Meeting for review and discussion.

In  2020,  facing  unprecedented  challenges,  we  firmly 
upheld  the  original  aspiration  of  “Protecting  People’s 
Good  Life”  by  focusing  on  our  principal  businesses  and 
taking on social responsibilities. With strong development 
resilience,  we  enhanced  social  well-being  in  serving  the 
overall  national  development  plan,  created  long-term 
business  value  in  pursuing  high-quality  development, 
strengthened driving forces in reform and innovation, and 
advanced  steady  operations  to  support  modernization  of 
corporate governance.

10

Chairman’s StatementChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s StatementIn the past year, we proactively leveraged advantages 
of our principal businesses to firmly serve the overall 
national development. In the fight against the COVID-19 
pandemic,  we  took  immediate  actions  to  donate  funds 
and supplies to the front line of pandemic prevention and 
control  and  offer  complimentary  insurance  protection 
for  2.5  million  medical  workers  fighting  on  the  front 
line  and  over  14  million  people  with  a  sum  assured  of 
nearly  RMB3.3  trillion  on  a  cumulative  basis.  We  also 
expanded  insurance  coverage  of  existing  insurance  plans 
and  introduced  special  services  and  measures,  playing 
the role of insurance as a “shock absorber”. We actively 
supported  the  targeted  poverty  alleviation,  inputting  over 
RMB87  million  on  a  cumulative  basis  in  1,281  poverty 
alleviation  localities,  lifting  all  of  them  out  of  poverty. 
Poverty alleviation through consumption amounted to over 
RMB30  million.  By  leveraging  our  principal  businesses, 
we  developed  exclusive  insurance  products  to  support 
poverty  alleviation  and  risk  coverage,  covering  more 
than  18  million  people  from  registered  poverty-stricken 
households  as  well  as  those  on  the  edge  of  the  poverty 
line,  underwriting  a  sum  assured  of  RMB3.4  trillion.  In 
building  a  moderately  prosperous  society  in  all  respects 
and fighting against poverty, one team and one individual 
of  the  Company  received  honorary  titles  of  National 
Advanced  Team  and  Individual  in  Poverty  Alleviation 
respectively.  By  sticking  to  the  role  of  finance  in  serving 
the real economy, we actively participated in the strategic 
r e g i o n a l  d e v e l o p m e n t s ,  i n c l u d i n g  t h e  c o o r d i n a t e d 
development  of  the  Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei  Region,  the 
Yangtze  River  Economic  Belt  developments,  the  building 
of  the  Guangdong-Hong  Kong-Macao  Greater  Bay  Area 
and  the  integrated  development  along  the  Yangtze  River 
Delta, supporting the development of the country to be a 
manufacturer  of  quality  and  with  a  strong  transportation 
network, as well as the building of a “Green China”. As at 
the end of the Reporting Period, the existing investments 
made by the Company serving the real economy exceeded 
RMB2.3  trillion,  and  new  investments  made  in  the  year 
exceeded RMB600 billion.

In  the  past  year,  we  further  advanced  high-quality 
development  and  enhanced  our  capability  in  value 
creation.  By  prioritizing  business  value  growth  and 
sticking to the protection role of insurance, we increased 
effective  insurance  supplies  and  achieved  coordinated 
growth of business value and scale. During the Reporting 
Period, despite the impact of the pandemic, the business 
structure  of  the  Company  was  further  optimized,  and 
its  protection-oriented  business  maintained  a  growing 
t r e n d .   V a l u e   o f   o n e   y e a r ’ s   s a l e s   o f   t h e   C o m p a n y 
reached  RMB58,373  million,  generally  remaining  stable 
compared  to  2019.  With  the  reinforced  asset-liability 
management  and  interaction,  the  Company  registered  a 
gross investment income of RMB198,596 million in 2020, 
reaching a record high.

In  the  past  year,  we  accelerated  transformation  and 
upgrade,  with  digitalized  operations  creating  strong 
driving forces. We pushed forward the “Dingxin Project” 
in  great  depth  and  primarily  completed  the  customer-
centric  sales  deployment  of  “Yi  Ti  Duo  Yuan”.  The 
individual  agent  business  sector  saw  increased  capability 
in  value  creation,  and  the  diversified  business  sector 
went  through  steady  transformation  in  operation  modes. 
The  market-oriented  incentive  and  restraint  mechanism 
for  talents  in  key  fields  such  as  sales  and  investment 
was  gradually  established.  Keeping  up  with  the  “digital 
era”,  we  built  the  online  digital  platform  based  on  our 
profound  offline  strength,  and  established  the  industry-
l e a d i n g   h y b r i d   c l o u d s .   T e c h n o l o g y   e m p o w e r m e n t 
mitigated  negative  impacts  of  the  pandemic  by  providing 
f o u n d a t i o n a l  p o w e r ,  a n d  t h e  t e c h n o l o g y  o p e r a t i o n 
model  of  “Collective  Wisdom,  Agility,  Iteration”  set  a 
new  exemplary  model  in  the  industry.  Empowered  by 
technologies adopted under the “Technology-driven China 
Life” strategy, operations and services were upgraded in 
all  aspects,  becoming  more  Internet-based,  intelligent, 
integrated and ecological, effectively meeting the needs of 
customers for high-quality services.

11

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s StatementChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s StatementI n   t h e   p a s t   y e a r ,   w e   a d v a n c e d   t h e   c o r p o r a t e 
governance  system  with  scientific  and  effective 
risk  prevention  and  control  mechanisms.  Aiming  at 
the  best  practices  of  corporate  governance  of  listed 
companies  in  the  three  listing  venues,  we  actively 
improved  the  corporate  governance  mechanism  and 
effectively  enhanced  the  modernization  of  our  corporate 
governance,  and  received  the  “Hong  Kong  Corporate 
Governance Excellence Award” for 2020. We accelerated 
the integration of “Environmental, Social and Governance” 
(“ESG”) management into our operation and management 
s y s t e m  a n d  p u t  t h e  E S G  i n v e s t m e n t  c o n c e p t  i n t o 
p r a c t i c e .  A M C ,  t h e  C o m p a n y ’ s  n o n - w h o l l y  o w n e d 
subsidiary,  was  the  first  insurance  asset  management 
company in China to sign the United Nations – Supported 
Principles  for  Responsible  Investment  (UNPRI),  and 
w a s  d e e p l y  e n g a g e d  i n  t h e  “ G r e e n  F i n a n c e ”  w i t h 
new  green  investments  in  the  year  reaching  RMB30.6 
billion.  Adhering  to  the  principle  of  prudent  and  steady 
operation, we continued to pay attention to and proactively 
prevented  and  mitigated  major  financial  risks,  effectively 
followed  the  law  of  asset-liability  management  and  paid 
great  attention  to  interest  risk,  market  risk,  credit  risk 
and compliance risk, so as to strictly prevent any external 
risk  incidents  from  penetrating  into  the  Company.  We 
also  carried  out  special  governance  on  key  risks  and 
greatly promoted intelligent risk control. In the integrated 
risk  rating  by  the  regulatory  authority,  the  Company  has 
received the rating of Class A for 11 consecutive quarters.

The  14th  Five-Year  Plan  marks  the  first  five  years  of 
China’s  new  journey  toward  fully  building  a  modern 
s o c i a l i s t  c o u n t r y ,  i n  w h i c h  t h e  i n s u r a n c e  i n d u s t r y 
w i l l  u n d e r t a k e  t h e  n e w  m i s s i o n  o f  c o n t r i b u t i n g  t o 
the  modernization  of  a  national  governance  system 
and  governance  capability.  With  economic  and  social 
development, social well-being will reach a new level, and 
the expansion of the middle-income group will accelerate. 
Deeply  grounded  in  China’s  economy  which  has  strong 
resilience  and  great  potential,  the  life  insurance  industry 
is at an important stage full of strategic opportunities, and 
will  have  a  broader  space  for  development.  At  the  same 
time,  we  also  see  that  the  COVID-19  pandemic  is  still 
continuing  around  the  world  with  wide  and  far-reaching 
impacts and uncertainties, which has affected the release 
of demands for insurance and posed challenges to assets 
allocation  and  traditional  insurance  operation  modes 
at  the  liability  end.  We  will  seize  the  new  changes  of 
current opportunities and challenges, further mobilize the 
advantage  of  risk  management  expertise  in  our  principal 
businesses,  implement  the  new  development  concept, 
actively  explore  to  build  and  achieve  a  new  development 
pattern  for  the  life  insurance  industry,  continuously 
deepen  the  supply  side  structural  reform  with  customer-
centric  principle,  accelerate  transformation  and  upgrade, 
and  constantly  enhance  the  match  and  fit  between  our 
own  development  and  the  needs  of  the  times,  so  as 
to  protect  people’s  well-being  and  promote  economic 
and  social  development  with  strengthened  services 
capabilities.

12

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s Statement2021  is  the  beginning  of  the  14th  Five-Year  Plan  and 
a l s o  a  c r i t i c a l  y e a r  f o r  t h e  C o m p a n y ’ s  h i g h - q u a l i t y 
development.  We  will  further  push  forward  the  “China 
Life  Revitalization”  initiative,  and  continue  to  maintain 
high-quality  development.  We  will  also  fully  engage 
in  the  new  development  pattern  of  “dual  circulation” 
and  strive  to  achieve  stable  development,  business 
quality  improvement,  reform  and  innovation,  and  risk 
prevention  and  control.  We  will  take  development  as 
the  top  priority,  emphasize  business  value,  and  achieve 
business  development  driven  by  a  productive  sales 
force;  fully  push  forward  the  “Dingxin  Project”  reforms, 
accelerate  marketization,  and  further  enhance  internal 
driving  forces;  continue  to  reinforce  the  technology  and 
innovation  driven  development,  accelerate  operational 
digitalization,  and  provide  customers  with  “convenient, 
quality and caring” services; continue to strengthen asset-
liability  interaction,  strictly  implement  the  regulatory 
requirements,  continuously  improve  the  risk  prevention 
and control system, strictly prevent key risks, and enhance 
our corporate governance capability.

With  a  profound  historical  accumulation,  China  Life  has 
always played an important role of an explorer and pioneer 
of  China’s  life  insurance  industry.  Time  goes  by  with 
dreams ahead. In this new promising era, we will stick to 
our  original  aspiration  and  forge  ahead  on  the  journey  of 
building a world-class life insurance company, with a view 
to rewarding our shareholders and people from all walks of 
life with satisfactory operating performances.

By Order of the Board
Wang Bin
Chairman

Beijing, China
25 March 2021

13

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s StatementChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Chairman’s StatementMANAGEMENT
DISCUSSION AND 
ANALYSIS

REVIEW OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS 
IN 2020

In  2020,  the  unexpected  outbreak  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic  posed  great  challenges  to  the  development 
of  the  insurance  industry.  On  the  one  hand,  as  the 
macro  economy  slowed  down  significantly,  demands 
for  insurance  was  difficult  to  be  fully  released;  on  the 
other hand, the onsite insurance operation activities were 
restricted,  affecting  both  the  business  development  and 
agent  team-building.  Under  the  combined  influence  of 
multiple factors, the growth of the life insurance industry 
for the year declined.

Despite  a  tough  and  complicated  external  environment, 
the  Company  pushed  forward  high-quality  development, 
a d h e r e d   t o   t h e   s t r a t e g i c   c o r e   o f   “ T h r e e   M a j o r 

Transformations,  Dual  Centers  and  Dual  Focuses,  Asset-
liability Interaction”, and upheld the operational guideline 
of “prioritizing business value, strengthening sales force, 
achieving stable growth, upgrading technology, optimizing 
customer  services  and  guarding  against  risks”.  The 
Company proceeded well with both the pandemic control 
and  the  reform  and  development,  and  realized  a  steady 
and sound growth of its key performance indicators, such 
as  embedded  value  and  premium  income.  During  the 
Reporting Period, the Company achieved the coordinated 
growth  of  business  scale  and  value,  pushed  forward  the 
asset-liability  interaction,  accelerated  the  implementation 
of technological achievements, improved both the quality 
and  efficiency  of  operations  and  services,  and  achieved 
r e m a r k a b l e  r e s u l t s  f o r  t h e  C o m p a n y ’ s  h i g h - q u a l i t y 
development.

14

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisFrom left to right:
Mr. Zhao Guodong, Mr. Zhan Zhong, Ms. Huang Xiumei, Mr. Su Hengxuan, Mr. Li Mingguang, Mr. Ruan Qi, Ms. Yang Hong

Meanwhile, the Company firmly implemented the “China 
Life Revitalization” initiative, and pushed forward reforms 
under  the  “Dingxin  Project”.  In  2020,  while  continuing 
to  optimize  its  organizational  structure,  the  Company 
kicked  off  a  series  of  transformation  programs  in  all 
aspects, and further advanced the gradual implementation 
of  new  business  models  and  operation  mechanisms. 
The  customer-centric  sales  deployment  of  “Yi  Ti  Duo 
Yuan”  was  implemented  in  greater  depth.  The  value 
creation  capability  of  the  individual  agent  business 
sector  was  prominent  with  its  focus  on  the  individual 
c u s t o m e r  m a r k e t .  T h e  s t a n d a r d i z e d  a n d  r e g u l a t e d 
management  system  for  the  basic  operational  units 
was  also  rolled  out.  The  diversified  business  sector 
targeted  institutional  customers  and  further  defined  its 
positioning  so  as  to  effectively  improve  its  professional 
o p e r a t i o n   c a p a b i l i t y .   T h e   C o m p a n y ’ s   i n v e s t m e n t 
capability  was  improved  significantly,  and  an  investment 
management  system  which  adapted  to  investment  value 
chain  and  a  market-oriented  compensation  incentive 
system  were  established.  The  Company  reinforced  the 
standardization  of  its  business  operation  and  services, 
and  fully  launched  the  establishment  of  the  Shared 

Service  Center.  Its  business  operation  became  more 
intelligent  and  integrated,  and  customer  satisfaction 
continued to rise. The Company optimized the technology 
development  mode  by  implementing  an  IT  product 
o p e r a t i o n   m e c h a n i s m   w i t h   e m p h a s i s   o n   t h e   p a n -
product  development  teams,  and  the  supporting  ability, 
responsiveness  and  stability  of  technologies  saw  great 
improvement. New technologies, such as mobile services 
and  digital  field  offices,  were  also  widely  applied.  The 
Company  accelerated  the  intellectualization  of  its  risk 
management,  realized  active  risk  detection  and  real-time 
monitoring in respect of risk prevention and control, which 
effectively  improved  the  efficiency  of  risk  management 
a n d  c o n t r o l .  B y  u p h o l d i n g  t h e  p r i n c i p l e  o f  “ s t r o n g 
headquarters,  streamlined  provincial  branches,  optimized 
city branches and invigorated field offices”, the Company 
established  a  classified  and  hierarchical  management 
system  for  its  branches,  upgrading  and  downgrading 
branches  at  different  levels  per  their  performances,  and 
further  increased  allocation  of  financial  resources  to  the 
basic operational units, which significantly energized their 
development.

15

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisKey Performance Indicators of 2020

Gross written premiums
Premiums from new policies

Including: First-year regular premiums

First-year regular premiums with ten years or 

longer payment duration

Renewal premiums
Gross investment income
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
Value of one year’s sales

Including: Individual agent business sector1

Policy Persistency Rate (14 months)2 (%)
Policy Persistency Rate (26 months)2 (%)
Surrender Rate3 (%)

Embedded value
Number of long-term in-force policies (hundred million)

2020

612,265
193,939
115,421

56,398
418,326
198,596
50,268
58,373
57,669
85.70
82.40
1.09

RMB million

2019

567,086
181,289
109,416

59,168
385,797
169,043
58,287
58,698
56,972
86.80
85.90
1.89

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

1,072,140
3.17

942,087
3.03

Notes:

1.  The results of individual agent business sector for the year 2019 have been restated to allow for new sector definitions on a pro forma basis.

2.  The  Persistency  Rate  for  long-term  individual  life  insurance  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.

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

contracts)

During the Reporting Period, despite the impact of the 
pandemic,  the  Company  demonstrated  development 
resilience  with  key  business  indicators  reaching  their 
record  high.  In  2020,  the  Company’s  gross  written 
premiums  amounted  to  RMB612,265  million,  exceeding 
RMB600  billion  for  the  first  time,  an  increase  of  8.0% 

year on year, maintaining its industry leadership position. 
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  embedded 
value  of  the  Company  exceeded  RMB1  trillion,  reaching 
RMB1,072,140 million, an increase of 13.8% from the end 
of 2019.

16

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  continued 
to prioritize business value, and its business structure 
was  further  optimized.  Premiums  from  new  policies 
amounted  to  RMB193,939  million,  an  increase  of  7.0% 
year  on  year.  In  particular,  first-year  regular  premiums 
amounted to RMB115,421 million (a year-on-year increase 
of  5.5%),  which  accounted  for  97.96%  of  long-term 
first-year  premiums.  The  percentage  of  premiums  from 
designated  protection-oriented  products  in  the  first-year 
regular  premiums  rose  by  0.6  percentage  point  year  on 
year, with a continuous increase in the average premiums 
per policy. Renewal premiums amounted to RMB418,326 
million (a year-on-year increase of 8.4%), which accounted 
for 68.32% of the gross written premiums (a year-on-year 
increase  of  0.29  percentage  point).  Facing  a  complicated 
external environment in 2020, first-year regular premiums 
with  a  payment  duration  of  ten  years  or  longer  reached 
RMB56,398  million,  a  decrease  of  4.7%  year  on  year.  In 
2020,  the  value  of  one  year’s  sales  of  the  Company  was 
RMB58,373  million,  a  decrease  of  0.6%  year  on  year, 
basically remaining stable. As for the end of the Reporting 
Period, the number of long-term in-force policies was 317 
million, an increase of 4.6% from the end of 2019. During 
the  Reporting  Period,  the  surrender  rate  was  1.09%,  a 
decrease of 0.80 percentage point year on year.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  continued 
t o  e n h a n c e  t h e  a s s e t - l i a b i l i t y  m a n a g e m e n t  a n d 
the  asset-liability  interaction  created  synergy  on 
two  ends.  With  enhanced  emphasis  on  asset-liability 
management, the Company strengthened its asset-liability 
matching,  established  a  management  system  with  clear 
rights  and  responsibilities  as  well  as  orderly  operation, 
and  improved  relevant  systems  and  processes.  To  fully 
implement  the  asset-liability  management  philosophy, 
the  Company  effectively  coordinated  various  processes, 
including  business  planning,  operations  and  services, 
product  development  and  investment  management. 
In  2020,  the  Company  adhered  to  the  market-oriented 
approach,  achieved  significant  improvement  in  its  asset 
allocation  capability  and  realized  a  stable  increase  in 
its  investment  income.  The  gross  investment  income 
reached  RMB198,596  million,  an  increase  of  17.5%  year 
on  year.  Due  to  the  combined  impact  of  the  update  of 
discount  rate  assumptions  for  reserves  of  traditional 
insurance  contracts,  the  adjustment  of  the  policy  on  pre-
tax deduction of underwriting and policy acquisition costs 
adopted  in  2019  and  the  change  in  gross  investment 
income,  net  profit  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the 
Company  was  RMB50,268  million,  a  decrease  of  13.8% 
year on year.

Gross written premiums breakdown
(RMB million)

Short-term 
insurance 
premiums
76,116

Single 
premiums
2,402

First-year
regular
premiums
115,421

2020

Short-term 
insurance 
premiums
69,515

Single 
premiums
2,358

First-year
regular
premiums
109,416

2019

Renewal premiums
418,326

Renewal premiums
385,797

Value of one year’s sales (RMB million)

58,373

58,698

2020

2019

Embedded value (RMB million)

As at 31 December 2020

As at 31 December 2019

1,072,140

13.8%

942,087

17

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisBUSINESS ANALYSIS

Insurance Business

Gross written premiums categorized by business

For the year ended 31 December 

RMB million

Life Insurance Business

First-year business
First-year regular
Single

Renewal business

Health Insurance Business

First-year business
First-year regular
Single

Renewal business

Accident Insurance Business

First-year business
First-year regular
Single

Renewal business

Total

2020

480,593
108,205
106,001
2,204
372,388
115,089
69,722
9,408
60,314
45,367
16,583
16,012
12
16,000
571

612,265

2019

446,562
100,674
98,342
2,332
345,888
105,581
66,213
11,000
55,213
39,368
14,943
14,402
74
14,328
541

567,086

Change

7.6%
7.5%
7.8%
-5.5%
7.7%
9.0%
5.3%
-14.5%
9.2%
15.2%
11.0%
11.2%
-83.8%
11.7%
5.5%

8.0%

Note:  Single premiums in the above table include premiums from short-term insurance business.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  gross  written  premiums  from  the  life  insurance  business  of  the  Company  amounted  to 
RMB480,593 million, rising by 7.6% year on year; gross written premiums from the health insurance business reached 
RMB115,089 million, rising by 9.0% year on year, and gross written premiums from accident insurance business were 
RMB16,583 million, rising by 11.0% year on year.

18

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums categorized by channel

For the year ended 31 December

RMB million

Individual Agent Business Sector2

First-year business of long-term insurance

First-year regular
Single

Renewal business
Short-term insurance business

Bancassurance Channel

First-year business of long-term insurance

First-year regular
Single

Renewal business
Short-term insurance business

Group Insurance Channel

First-year business of long-term insurance

First-year regular
Single

Renewal business
Short-term insurance business

Other Channels3

First-year business of long-term insurance

First-year regular
Single

Renewal business
Short-term insurance business

Total

Notes:

2020

511,044
99,838
99,555
283
391,272
19,934
41,240
15,757
15,748
9
25,109
374
28,872
2,040
110
1,930
1,862
24,970
31,109
188
8
180
83
30,838

612,265

20191

484,517
96,237
95,957
280
371,140
17,140
25,438
12,516
12,488
28
12,516
406
28,846
3,018
968
2,050
1,995
23,833
28,285
3
3
–
146
28,136

567,086

1.  According to the sales deployment of “Yi Ti Duo Yuan”, data for the year 2019 were adjusted on a pro forma basis.

2.  Premiums of individual agent business sector included premiums of the general sales team and the upsales team.

3.  Premiums of other channels mainly included premiums of government-sponsored health insurance business and online sales, etc.

I n  2 0 2 0 ,  t h e  C o m p a n y  c o n t i n u e d  t o  p u s h  f o r w a r d 
the  customer-centric  sales  deployment  of  “Yi  Ti  Duo 
Yuan”.  The  individual  agent  business  sector  focused 
on  the  individual  customer  market  and  the  capability  in 
value  creation  was  prominent.  The  diversified  business 
sector  targeted  institutional  customers  and  its  business 
positioning  was  clearly  defined,  which  saw  effective 
improvement in its professional operation capability. With 
emphasis  on  business  development  driven  by  productive 
sales  force,  the  structure  of  its  sales  force  was  further 
optimized.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the 
Company’s  total  sales  force  was  approximately  1.458 
million, maintaining the leading position in the industry.

Individual Agent Business Sector

In  2020,  facing  the  severe  impact  of  the  pandemic  on 
the  economic  and  social  development  as  well  as  the 
insurance  industry,  the  individual  agent  business  sector 
adhered to the priority of business value, pushed forward 
transformation  and  upgrade  of  its  sales  management, 
continued to optimize its business structure, and realized 
continuous  growth  in  both  business  scale  and  value 
against  unfavourable  market  conditions.  During  the 
Reporting  Period,  the  gross  written  premiums  from  the 
sector  amounted  to  RMB511,044  million,  an  increase 
of  5.5%  year  on  year.  First-year  regular  premiums  were 
RMB99,555  million,  an  increase  of  3.7%  year  on  year. 

19

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The designated protection-oriented business continued to 
grow, with its first-year regular premiums and the average 
premiums  per  policy  rising  significantly  year  on  year.  As 
affected  by  the  pandemic,  first-year  regular  premiums 
with  a  payment  duration  of  ten  years  or  longer  in  the 
sector were RMB56,183 million, a decrease of 2.2% year 
on  year.  Renewal  premiums  amounted  to  RMB391,272 
million,  an  increase  of  5.4%  year  on  year.  The  capability 
of  the  individual  agent  business  sector  in  value  creation 
was prominent. The value of one year’s sales of the sector 
was RMB57,669 million, an increase of 1.2% year on year. 
New  business  margin  of  one  year’s  sales  of  the  sector 
was 47.9%, which remained stable compared to 2019.

In  2020,  the  individual  agent  business  sector  firmly 
implemented the strategy of business development driven 
by  productive  sales  force,  and  fully  upgraded  the  Agent 
Management  and  Compensation  System  in  line  with  the 
deployment  of  “Dingxin  Project”  to  enhance  the  quality 
of  the  sales  force.  Despite  certain  fluctuation  in  the  size 
of the sales force due to the impact of the pandemic, the 
Company  firmly  adhered  to  high-quality  development  by 
further  tightening  the  agent  recruitment,  strengthening 
sales  force  management  and  optimizing  the  structure  of 
the sales force. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the 
number of agents of the sector was 1,378,000, including 
841,000 agents from the general agent team and 537,000 
agents  from  the  upsales  team,  and  the  monthly  average 
productive agents increased by 9.7% year on year.

First-year regular premiums of 
individual agent business sector 
(RMB million)

56,183

99,555

3.7%

57,468

95,957

2020

2019

First-year regular premiums with a payment 
duration of 10 years or longer

Agents of individual agent business sector

1.378

million

Monthly average productive 
agents increased by

9.7%

year on year

20

Diversified Business Sector

In  2020,  the  transformation  and  upgrade  under  “Dingxin 
Project” was carried out in the diversified business sector 
in  great  depth.  By  concentrating  on  the  development 
philosophy  of  “professional  operation,  enhancement  of 
quality and efficiency, transformation and innovation, and 
regulatory  compliance”,  the  diversified  business  sector 
coordinated well with the individual agent business sector, 
and  focused  on  the  development  of  bancassurance, 
group insurance and health insurance business. Although 
business  development  was  generally  affected  by  the 
pandemic,  the  diversified  business  sector  consolidated 
its  advantages,  and  demonstrated  an  upward  trend  in 
business  development.  During  the  Reporting  Period, 
gross  written  premiums  from  the  sector  amounted  to 
RMB101,221 million, an increase of 22.6% year on year.

Bancassurance  Channel.  With  equal  emphasis  on 
business  scale  and  value  as  its  long-term  goal,  the 
bancassurance channel focused on bank agency business 
and steadily pushed forward the business transformation. 
During the Reporting Period, gross written premiums from 
the channel amounted to RMB41,240 million, an increase 
of  62.1%  year  on  year.  First-year  regular  premiums 
amounted  to  RMB15,748  million,  an  increase  of  26.1% 
year on year. Renewal premiums amounted to RMB25,109 
million (a year-on-year increase of 100.6%), accounting for 
60.89%  of  the  gross  written  premiums  from  the  channel 
(a year-on-year increase of 11.69 percentage points). The 
bancassurance  channel  constantly  strengthened  sales 
team  management,  and  the  quality  of  the  sales  force 

Gross written premiums of 
bancassurance channel (RMB million)

15,748

41,240

2020

2019

26.1%

12,488

25,438

First-year regular premiums

Bancassurance channel 
account managers

29,000

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysiswas  improved  steadily.  As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting 
Period,  the  number  of  bancassurance  channel  account 
managers  was  29,000,  and  both  the  quarterly  average 
active managers and the production capacity per manager 
increased substantially.

Group Insurance Channel. The group insurance channel 
continued to deepen its diversified business development 
and  improve  profitability,  reinforced  the  expansion  of 
key  business  sectors,  and  achieved  steady  development 
i n  d i f f e r e n t  b u s i n e s s  f i e l d s .  D u r i n g  t h e  R e p o r t i n g 
Period,  gross  written  premiums  from  the  channel  were 
RMB28,872  million,  an  increase  of  0.1%  year  on  year. 
S h o r t - t e r m  i n s u r a n c e  p r e m i u m s  w e r e  R M B 2 4 , 9 7 0 
million,  an  increase  of  4.8%  year  on  year.  As  at  the 
end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  number  of  direct  sales 
representatives  was  51,000,  and  the  number  of  high-
performance personnel increased by 33.3% from the end 
of 2019.

Gross written premiums of group 
insurance channel (RMB million)

24,970

28,872

2020

2019

4.8%

23,833

28,846

Short-term insurance premiums

Direct sales representatives

51,000

High-performance 
personnels increased by

33.3%

from the end of 2019

Other  Channels.  In  2020,  gross  written  premiums  from 
other  channels  reached  RMB31,109  million,  an  increase 
of 10.0% year on year. The Company actively participated 
in  all  kinds  of  government-sponsored  health  insurance 
businesses, which maintained the leading market position. 
As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company 
carried  out  over  220  supplementary  major  medical 
expenses  insurance  programs,  providing  services  to  360 
million  people.  It  also  undertook  over  300  health  care 
entrusted programs, covering 170 million people, provided 
supplementary medical insurance to 54 million people, and 
offered  long-term  care  insurance  protection  to  15  million 
people.

The  Company  pushed  forward  its  online  insurance 
business,  consistently  increased  the  supply  of  online 
insurance  products,  enhanced  its  online  insurance 
operations and promoted integration of online and offline 
sales to provide a more diversified and convenient channel 
for  customers  seeking  insurance  products  and  services. 
In  2020,  the  Company’s  online  insurance  business  saw 
greater  development  opportunities,  which  resulted  in  a 
rapid growth of its development.

Being  customer-centric,  the  Company  fully  leveraged 
the  collaborative  advantages  of  the  fellow  members  of 
CLIC  and  actively  provided  customers  with  a  series  of 
quality  financial  and  insurance  service  solutions.  In  2020, 
premiums  from  property  insurance  cross-sold  by  the 
Company  exceeded  RMB20  billion  for  the  first  time,  an 
increase  of  14.0%  year  on  year,  whereas  new  bids  of 
enterprise  annuity  funds  and  pension  security  products 
of  Pension  Company  cross-sold  by  the  Company  grew 
by  20.7%  year  on  year.  The  Company  entrusted  CGB 
to  sell  bancassurance  products,  with  first-year  regular 
premiums increasing by 29.0% year on year. The number 
of  new  debit  cards  and  credit  cards  jointly  issued  by  the 
Company  and  CGB  exceeded  1,150,000.  Meanwhile, 
the  Company  gave  full  play  to  the  brand  advantages  on 
the  comprehensive  financial  strength,  and  worked  with 
CGB  and  CLP&C  to  carry  out  various  operation  activities 
to  provide  customers  with  diversified  and  individualized 
services,  thus  fostering  a  sound  synergy  and  mutual 
benefits.

21

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis of major insurance products

Top five insurance products in terms of gross written premiums

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Gross written
premium

Standard
premiums
from new
policies1

42,657

12,813

Major sales channel

Mainly through the channel of 
exclusive individual agents

34,828

–

Mainly through the channel of 
exclusive individual agents

26,955

26,955

Through other sales channels

24,116

20,271

–

–

Mainly through the channel of 
exclusive individual agents

Mainly through the channel of 
exclusive individual agents

Insurance product

China Life Xin Xiang Zhi Zun Annuity 
Insurance (Celebration Version) 
)
(
國壽鑫享至尊年金保險(慶典版)

China Life Xin Xiang Jin Sheng 
Annuity Insurance (Type A) 
(

)2
款)
China Life Critical Illness Group 

國壽鑫享金生年金保險(

A

Health Insurance for Rural and 
Urban Citizens (Type A) 
(

國壽城鄉居民大病團體醫療保險(

China Life Xin Fu Ying Jia 

A

)
型)

Annuity Insurance 
(

)2

國壽鑫福贏家年金保險

China Life Hong Fu Zhi Zun Annuity 

Insurance (Participating Insurance) 
(

)2
國壽鴻福至尊年金保險(分紅型)

Notes:

RMB million

Surrender
payment

170

506

–

779

745

1.  Standard  premiums  were  calculated  in  accordance  with  the  calculation  methods  set  forth  in  the  “Notice  on  Establishing  the  Industry  Standard  of 
Standard  Premiums  in  the  Life  Insurance  Industry”  (Bao  Jian  Fa  [2004]  No.  102)  and  the  “Supplementary  Notice  of  the  ‘Notice  on  Establishing 
the  Industry  Standard  of  Standard  Premiums  in  the  Life  Insurance  Industry’”  (Bao  Jian  Fa  [2005]  No.  25)  of  the  former  China  Insurance  Regulatory 
Commission.

2.  China  Life  Xin  Xiang  Jin  Sheng  Annuity  Insurance  (Type  A),  China  Life  Xin  Fu  Ying  Jia  Annuity  Insurance  and  China  Life  Hong  Fu  Zhi  Zun  Annuity 
Insurance  (Participating  Insurance)  have  been  replaced  by  their  upgraded  products,  and  the  gross  written  premiums  were  recorded  as  renewal 
premiums.

Top three insurance products in terms of net increase in investment contracts

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Insurance product

contracts Major sales channel

Net increase
in investment

11,630 Mainly through the channel of exclusive 

individual agents

7,883 Mainly through the channel of exclusive 

individual agents

3,406 Mainly through the channel of exclusive 

individual agents

China Life Xin Account Endowment Insurance 
(Universal Insurance) (Exclusive Version)  
(

)
國壽鑫賬戶兩全保險(萬能型)(尊享版)

China Life Xin Account Endowment Insurance 
(Universal Insurance) (Diamond Version)  
(

)
國壽鑫賬戶兩全保險(萬能型)(鑽石版)
China Life Xin Account Annuity Insurance 

(Universal Insurance) (Excellent Version)  
(

)
國壽鑫賬戶年金保險(萬能型)(卓越版)

22

RMB million

Surrender
payment

121

261

291

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance contracts

Life insurance
Health insurance
Accident insurance

Total of insurance contracts

Including: Residual marginNote

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

2,767,642
195,487
10,096

2,973,225

837,293

2,385,407
158,800
8,529

2,552,736

768,280

RMB million

Change

16.0%
23.1%
18.4%

16.5%

9.0%

Note:  The residual margin is a component of insurance contract reserve, which results in no Day 1 gain at the initial recognition of an insurance contract. 

The residual margin is set to zero if it is negative. The growth of residual margin arises mainly from new business.

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the reserves of insurance contracts of the Company were RMB2,973,225 million, 
16.5% up from RMB2,552,736 million as at the end of 2019, which was primarily due to the accumulation of insurance 
liabilities from new policies and renewal business. As at the date of the statement of financial position, the reserves of 
various insurance contracts of the Company passed the liability adequacy test.

Analysis of claims and policyholder benefits

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

2020

580,801
490,994
82,146
7,661
9,846
28,279

2019

509,467
427,673
75,471
6,323
9,157
22,375

RMB million

Change

14.0%
14.8%
8.8%
21.2%
7.5%
26.4%

During the Reporting Period, insurance benefits and claims expenses rose by 14.0% year on year due to an increase in 
the  change  of  insurance  contract  liabilities.  In  particular,  insurance  benefits  and  claims  expenses  of  the  life  insurance 
business rose by 14.8% year on year mainly due to the steady growth of the life insurance business. Investment contract 
benefits rose by 7.5% year on year due to an increase in the scale of universal insurance accounts. Policyholder dividends 
resulting  from  participation  in  profits  increased  by  26.4%  year  on  year  due  to  an  increase  in  investment  yield  from 
participating accounts.

23

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Analysis of underwriting and policy acquisition costs and other expenses

For the year ended 31 December

Underwriting and policy acquisition costs
Finance costs
Administrative expenses
Other expenses
Statutory insurance fund contribution

2020

84,342
3,747
37,687
12,208
1,229

2019

81,396
4,255
40,275
9,602
1,163

RMB million

Change

3.6%
-11.9%
-6.4%
27.1%
5.7%

During  the  Reporting  Period,  underwriting  and  policy 
acquisition  costs  rose  by  3.6%  year  on  year  due  to  the 
Company’s  business  growth.  Finance  costs  decreased 
by  11.9%  year  on  year  due  to  a  decrease  of  interest 
paid  for  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase. 
Administrative  expenses  decreased  by  6.4%  year  on 
year  due  to  a  decrease  in  expenses  amid  the  COVID-19 
pandemic  and  the  reinforced  cost  administration  by  the 
Company.

Investment Business

In  2020,  the  global  economy  was  severely  impacted 
b y  t h e  C O V I D - 1 9  p a n d e m i c ,  w h i c h  t h e n  s t a r t e d  t o 
recover  as  governments  around  the  world  introduced 
macro  hedging  policies.  By  effectively  coordinating  the 
pandemic  prevention  and  control  and  the  economic  and 
social  development,  and  accelerating  the  formation  of  a 
new  development  pattern  of  “dual  circulation”,  China’s 
economy was the first to pick up and continued to recover 
from  the  impact  of  the  pandemic,  and  China  was  the 
world’s  only  major  economy  to  achieve  growth  in  2020. 
Throughout  the  year,  the  interest  rate  of  the  domestic 
b o n d  m a r k e t  f l u c t u a t e d  g r e a t l y ,  w h i c h  r e b o u n d e d 
significantly  after  falling  to  a  historical  low  level  in  early 
April  and  went  higher  than  the  level  at  the  beginning  of 
2020; at the same time, the stock market also fluctuated 
upward after falling to the lowest level of the whole year 
at  the  end  of  March  with  an  obvious  structural  market 
characteristics.

The  Company  actively  responded  to  the  complex  and 
ever-changing  investment  environment,  adhered  to 
the  fundamental  principle  of  asset-liability  interaction 
management,  firmly  implemented  its  strategic  allocation 

plan  for  assets  with  medium-  and  long-terms,  and  made 
flexible  tactical  allocation  based  on  market  situations.  In 
2020, the Company mainly allocated to three major asset 
types. Firstly, in respect of the liability-matching portfolios, 
the Company effectively seized the opportunity of interest 
rate  recovery  and  a  supply  increase  in  the  second  half 
of  2020,  and  increased  allocation  mainly  in  government 
bonds with long duration to further lengthen the duration 
of  assets  and  narrow  the  duration  gap  between  assets 
and  liabilities;  secondly,  in  respect  of  non-standard 
fixed  income  assets  and  quasi-fixed  income  assets  with 
stable  cash  flows  and  higher  interest  income,  to  which 
the  Company  insisted  on  allocating  as  much  as  possible 
on  the  premise  of  controlling  credit  risks  by  proactively 
dealing  with  the  situation  of  the  decreasing  financing 
demands  and  intensified  market  competitions;  thirdly,  in 
respect of equity assets with potential elastic return in the 
future,  the  Company  continued  to  increase  its  allocation 
to  core  assets  under  the  structural  market  environment, 
and optimized the tactical investment of equity assets to 
increase the yields from the asset portfolios.

I n  2 0 2 0 ,  t h e  C o m p a n y  r e s h a p e d  i t s  o r g a n i z a t i o n a l 
structure  according  to  investment  value  chain  and 
established  a  market-oriented  incentive  and  restraint 
mechanism,  which  resulted  in  a  significant  improvement 
o f  i t s  c o o r d i n a t e d  m a n a g e m e n t  c a p a b i l i t y  i n  a s s e t 
allocation.  In  respect  of  entrusted  management,  the 
Company  introduced  a  competitive  mechanism  that 
compared  entrusted  asset  managers  within  and  outside 
China  Life,  eliminating  bad  performers  through  strict 
assessment.  The  constant  optimization  of  investment 
management  system  was  expected  to  have  long-term 
and far-reaching effects on the Company’s insurance fund 
investment.

24

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment portfolios

As at the end of the Reporting Period, our investment assets categorized by investment object are set out as below:

Investment category

Fixed-maturity financial assets

Term deposits
Bonds
Debt-type financial products1
Other fixed-maturity investments2

Equity financial assets

Common stocks
Funds3
Bank wealth management products
Other equity investments4

Investment properties
Cash and others5
Investments in associates and joint ventures

Total

Notes:

As at 31 December 2020

As at 31 December 2019

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

RMB million

3,076,329
545,667
1,718,639
453,641
358,382
700,748
350,107
114,311
13,013
223,317
14,217
64,576
239,584

4,095,454

75.12%
13.32%
41.97%
11.08%
8.75%
17.10%
8.55%
2.79%
0.32%
5.44%
0.35%
1.58%
5.85%

100.00%

2,674,261
535,260
1,410,564
415,024
313,413
605,996
276,604
118,450
32,640
178,302
12,141
57,773
222,983

3,573,154

74.85%
14.98%
39.48%
11.62%
8.77%
16.95%
7.74%
3.31%
0.91%
4.99%
0.34%
1.62%
6.24%

100.00%

1.  Debt-type financial products include debt investment schemes, equity investment plans, trust schemes, project asset-backed plans, credit asset-backed 

securities, specialized asset management plans, and asset management products, etc.

2.  Other fixed-maturity investments include policy loans, statutory deposits-restricted, and interbank certificates of deposits, etc.

3.  Funds include equity funds, bond funds and money market funds, etc. In particular, the balances of money market funds as at 31 December 2020 and 

31 December 2019 were RMB1,206 million and RMB1,829 million, respectively.

4.  Other equity investments include private equity funds, unlisted equities, preference shares, and equity investment plans, etc.

5.  Cash and others include cash, cash at banks, short-term deposits and securities purchased under agreements to resell, etc.

As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s 
investment  assets  reached  RMB4,095,454  million,  an 
increase  of  14.6%  from  the  end  of  2019.  Among  the 
major types of investments, the percentage of investment 
in  bonds  rose  to  41.97%  from  39.48%  as  at  the  end  of 
2019, the percentage of term deposits changed to 13.32% 

from  14.98%  as  at  the  end  of  2019,  the  percentage  of 
investment  in  debt-type  financial  products  changed  to 
11.08%  from  11.62%  as  at  the  end  of  2019,  and  the 
percentage  of  investment  in  stocks  and  funds  (excluding 
money market funds) rose to 11.31% from 11.00% as at 
the end of 2019.

25

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income

For the year ended 31 December

Gross investment income
Net investment income

Net income from fixed-maturity investments
Net income from equity investments
Net income from investment properties
Investment income from cash and others
Share of profit of associates and joint ventures

Net realised gains on financial assets
Net fair value gains through profit or loss
Disposal gains and impairment loss of associates and joint ventures

Net investment yield1
Gross investment yield2

Notes:

2020

198,596
162,783
127,673
24,983
(50)
1,841
8,336
14,583
21,900
(670)
4.34%
5.30%

RMB million

2019

169,043
149,109
116,254
22,804
31
861
9,159
1,831
19,251
(1,148)
4.61%
5.24%

1.  Net investment yield = (Net investment income – Interest paid for securities sold under agreements to repurchase)/((Investment assets at the end of the 
previous year – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the previous year + Investment assets at the end of the period – Securities 
sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the period)/2)

2.  Gross  investment  yield  =  (Gross  investment  income  –  Interest  paid  for  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase)/((Investment  assets  at  the 
end of the previous year – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the previous year – Derivative financial liabilities at the end of 
the previous year + Investment assets at the end of the period – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the period – Derivative 
financial liabilities at the end of the period)/2)

D u r i n g   t h e   R e p o r t i n g   P e r i o d ,   t h e   C o m p a n y ’ s   n e t 
investment income was RMB162,783 million, an increase 
of  RMB13,674  million  from  2019,  rising  by  9.2%  year  on 
year.  Due  to  the  impact  of  an  overall  decline  in  interest 
rate  during  2020  as  well  as  the  maturity  of  the  existing 
investment  assets,  the  net  investment  yield  was  4.34%, 
down  by  27  base  points  from  2019.  By  closely  keeping 
pace with equity market fluctuations and paying constant 
attention  to  risk  exposures,  the  Company  timely  cashed-
in  spread  income,  continued  to  optimize  its  position 
structure,  and  achieved  stable  investment  income. 
The  gross  investment  income  of  the  Company  reached 
RMB198,596  million,  an  increase  of  RMB29,553  million 
from 2019. The gross investment yield was 5.30%, up by 
6 base points from 2019. The comprehensive investment 
yield 2  taking  into  account  the  current  net  fair  value 
changes of available-for-sale securities recognized in other 
comprehensive  income  was  6.33%,  down  by  95  base 
points from 2019.

Credit risk management

The  Company’s  debt-type  financial  products  mainly 
concentrated  on  the  sectors  such  as  transportation, 
finance,  public  utilities  and  energy,  and  the  financing 
entities  were  primarily  large  central-owned  enterprises 

and  state-owned  enterprises.  As  at  the  end  of  the 
Reporting  Period,  over  99%  of  the  debt-type  financial 
products  were  rated  AAA  or  above  by  external  rating 
institutions. In general, the quality of the Company’s debt-
type financial assets was in good condition and the credit 
risks were well controlled.

T h e  C o m p a n y  i n s i s t e d  o n  t h e  p r u d e n t  i n v e s t m e n t 
p h i l o s o p h y   a n d   c a r r i e d   o u t   c o m p r e h e n s i v e   r i s k 
management  to  prevent  various  investment  risks.  Based 
on  a  disciplined  and  scientific  internal  rating  system  and 
a  multi-dimensional  management  mechanism  of  risk 
limits,  the  Company  scrutinized  credit  profiles  of  targets 
and  risk  exposure  concentration  before  investment  in  a 
prudent  manner  and  carried  out  ongoing  tracking  after 
investment,  effectively  controlling  credit  risks  through 
early detection, early warning and early disposal. Under a 
market environment where credit default events occurred 
frequently,  no  credit  default  event  occurred  for  the 
Company in 2020.

Major investments

During the Reporting Period, there was no material equity 
investment or non-equity investment of the Company that 
is subject to disclosure requirements.

2 

Comprehensive investment yield = (Gross investment income – Interest paid for securities sold under agreements to repurchase + Current net fair value 
changes of available-for-sale securities recognised in other comprehensive income)/((Investment assets at the end of the previous year – Securities sold 
under agreements to repurchase at the end of the previous year – Derivative financial liabilities at the end of the previous year + Investment assets at the 
end of the period – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the end of the period – Derivative financial liabilities at the end of the period)/2)

26

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020

54,488
28,073
11,611
572
14,232

2019

59,795
42,418
5,875
489
11,013

RMB million

Change

-8.9%
-33.8%
97.6%
17.0%
29.2%

The Company’s investment portfolio also provides it with 
a  source  of  liquidity  to  meet  unexpected  cash  outflows. 
It  is  also  subject  to  market  liquidity  risk  due  to  the  large 
size  of  its  investments  in  some  of  the  markets  in  which 
it  invests.  In  some  circumstances,  some  of  its  holdings 
of  investment  securities  may  be  large  enough  to  have 
an  influence  on  the  market  value.  These  factors  may 
adversely affect its ability to sell these investments or sell 
them at a fair price.

Liquidity uses

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

The  Company  believes  that  its  sources  of  liquidity  are 
sufficient to meet its current cash requirements.

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ITEMS

Profit before Income Tax

For the year ended 31 December

Profit before income tax
Life insurance business
Health insurance business
Accident insurance business
Other businesses

During the Reporting Period, profit before income tax from 
the  life  insurance  business  decreased  by  33.8%  year  on 
year due to the combined impact of the update of discount 
rate  assumptions  for  reserves  of  traditional  insurance 
contracts  and  the  change  in  gross  investment  income. 
Profit  before  income  tax  from  the  health  insurance 
business  rose  by  97.6%  year  on  year  mainly  due  to  the 
growth  of  short-term  health  insurance  business  and 
business  quality  improvement.  Profit  before  income  tax 
from the accident insurance business rose by 17.0% year 
on year mainly due to the growth of the accident insurance 
business and business quality improvement. Profit before 
income tax from other businesses rose by 29.2% year on 
year mainly due to an increase in profits from subsidiaries.

Analysis of Cash Flows

Liquidity sources

The Company’s cash inflows mainly come from insurance 
premiums, income from non-insurance contracts, interest 
income,  dividend  and  bonus,  and  proceeds  from  sale 
and  maturity  of  investment  assets.  The  primary  liquidity 
risks  with  respect  to  these  cash  inflows  are  the  risk  of 
surrender by contract holders and policyholders, as well as 
the  risks  of  default  by  debtors,  interest  rate  fluctuations 
and  other  market  volatilities.  The  Company  closely 
monitors and manages these risks.

The  Company’s  cash  and  bank  deposits  can  provide  it 
with  a  source  of  liquidity  to  meet  normal  cash  outflows. 
As at the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of cash 
and cash equivalents was RMB56,629 million. In addition, 
the vast majority of its term deposits in banks allow it to 
withdraw funds on deposits, subject to a penalty interest 
charge. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the amount 
of term deposits was RMB545,667 million.

27

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flows

The  Company  has  established  a  cash  flow  testing  system,  and  conducts  regular  tests  to  monitor  the  cash  inflows  and 
outflows under various scenarios and adjusts the asset portfolio accordingly to ensure sufficient sources of liquidity.

For the year ended 31 December

RMB million

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 

304,024

286,032

6.3% An increase in premiums due to the 

2020

2019

Change Main Reasons for Change

operating activities

steady growth of the Company’s 
business

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 

(292,797)

(247,515)

18.3% The needs for investment 

investing activities

management

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 

(7,760)

(36,075)

-78.5% The needs for liquidity management

financing activities

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

Net increase/(decrease) in  
cash and cash equivalents

(144)

55

N/A –

3,323

2,497

33.1% –

Solvency Ratio

An insurance company shall have the capital commensurate 
with  its  risks  and  business  scale.  According  to  the  nature 
and  capacity  of  loss  absorption  by  capital,  the  capital  of 
an  insurance  company  is  classified  into  the  core  capital 
and  the  supplementary  capital.  The  core  solvency  ratio 
is  the  ratio  of  core  capital  to  minimum  capital,  which 

reflects the adequacy of the core capital of an insurance 
company.  The  comprehensive  solvency  ratio  is  the  ratio 
of  the  sum  of  core  capital  and  supplementary  capital 
to  minimum  capital,  which  reflects  the  overall  capital 
adequacy  of  an  insurance  company.  The  following  table 
shows our solvency ratios as at the end of the Reporting 
Period:

Core capital
Actual capital
Minimum capital
Core solvency ratio
Comprehensive solvency ratio

As at
31 December
2020

1,031,947
1,066,939
396,749
260.10%
268.92%

RMB million

As at
31 December
2019

952,030
987,067
356,953
266.71%
276.53%

Note:  The China Risk Oriented Solvency System was formally implemented on 1 January 2016. This table is compiled according to the rules of the system.

As  at  the  end  of  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s 
c o m p r e h e n s i v e   s o l v e n c y   r a t i o   d e c r e a s e d   b y   7 . 6 1 
percentage points from the end of 2019, which was due to 
a consistent growth in insurance business and investment 
a s s e t s ,  d i v i d e n d s  p a y m e n t ,  a  d e c l i n e  i n  s o l v e n c y 
reserve  assessment  rate  and  redemption  of  other  equity 
instruments.

Sale of Material Assets and Equity

During the Reporting Period, there was no sale of material 
assets and equity of the Company.

28

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Registered
Capital

Shareholding

Total Assets

Net Assets

Net Profit

4,000

60%

13,897

12,237

2,133

RMB million

6,789

4,931

817

3,400

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

18,800

40%

106,930

26,551

1,730

19,687

43.686%

3,027,972

218,150

13,812

Major Subsidiaries and Associates of the Company

Company Name

Major Business Scope

China Life Asset 
Management 
Company Limited

China Life Pension 
Company Limited

China Life Property  
and Casualty 
Insurance Company 
Limited

China Guangfa Bank  

Co., Ltd.

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

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; pension insurance asset management product 
business; management of funds in RMB or foreign currency as 
entrusted by entrusting parties for the retirement benefit purpose; 
other businesses permitted by the CBIRC

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 businesses permitted by 
the CBIRC

Taking public deposits; granting short-term, mid-term and long-
term loans; handling settlements in and out of China; honoring bills 
and offering discounting services; issuing financial bonds; issuing, 
paying for and underwriting government bonds as an agent; sales 
and purchases of negotiable securities such as government bonds 
and financial bonds; engaging in inter-bank borrowings; providing 
letters of credit service and guarantee; engaging in bank card 
business; acting as payment and receipt agent and insurance agent; 
providing safe deposit box services; taking deposits and granting 
loans in foreign currency; foreign currency remittance; foreign 
currency exchange; international settlements; foreign exchange 
settlements and sales; inter-bank foreign currency borrowings; 
honoring bills of exchange and offering discounting services in 
foreign currency; granting foreign currency loans; granting foreign 
currency guarantees; sales and purchases of negotiable securities 
other than shares in a foreign currency for itself and as an agent; 
issuing negotiable securities other than shares in a foreign currency 
for itself and as an agent; sales and purchases of foreign exchange 
on its own account and on behalf of its customers; issuing and 
making payments for foreign credit card as an agent; offshore 
financial operations; assets and credit verification, consultation and 
notarization businesses; other businesses approved by the CBIRC 
and other relevant authorities

Note:  For details, please refer to Note 9 and Note 35 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report.

Structured Entities Controlled by the Company

Details of structured entities controlled by the Company is set out in Note 42 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements in this annual report.

29

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERMENT AND 
OPERATIONS AND SERVICES

Technology Empowerment

In 2020, the Company pushed forward digital transformation 
in  all  aspects,  accelerated  technological  innovation, 
proactively  applied  digital  technologies  to  reinforce 
technology  empowerment  and  support  its  high-quality 
development in various fields.

Great leap in capability, technological innovation 
at full speed

Technological  deployment,  demonstrating  China 
Life’s strength. Centering on the strategic core of “Dual 
Centers  and  Dual  Focuses”  and  optimizing  technological 
governance  and  deployment,  the  Company  implemented 
t h e   t e c h   p r o d u c t s - b a s e d   m a n a g e m e n t   s y s t e m , 
accelerated  the  establishment  of  innovation  incubation 
center and R&D sub-centers for technological application, 
and  continued  to  improve  the  technology-empowered 
ability  in  value  creation  and  the  diversification  of  supply. 
Leveraging  on  the  established  advantages  of  its  sales 
force and service network, the Company intensified online 
and offline integration with offline digital field offices and 
online digital platform, which enabled frequent interaction 
between  the  Company,  its  agents  and  customers  under 
the  “Technology-driven  China  Life”  layout,  and  provided 
convenient,  efficient  and  precise  financial  and  insurance 
services to customers.

Technology  as  a  driver,  activating  innovation  vitality. 
The  Company  reinforced  its  technological  innovation 
in  terms  of  its  four  technological  innovation-themed 
laboratories,  namely  InsurTech,  cloud  computing  and 
infrastructures,  cyber  security  and  block  chain.  Nearly 
50  research  projects  in  cutting-edge  technologies  were 
further  advanced,  and  28  intelligent  application  scenarios 
covering  various  aspects  were  introduced.  A  flexible 
and  nimble  hybrid  cloud  with  a  powerful  hash  rate  was 
innovated  with  great  efforts,  which  fully  supported 
the  seamless  shift  of  the  Company’s  operations  and 
management from offline to online and effectively ensured 
continuity  of  the  Company’s  business  operations  during 
the pandemic.

Digital  ecosystem,  bringing  out  the  synergy  effect. 
With the continued expansion of an interconnecting, open 
and shared social ecosystem based on the digital platform, 
the  Company  released  more  than  1,700  standardized 
services  and  launched  more  than  740  innovative  micro-
applications. It also cooperated with different institutions 

such  as  medical  and  healthcare  institutions,  etc.,  to 
carry  out  nearly  170,000  services  and  activities,  which 
consistently  enriched  the  Company’s  insurance-centered 
digital ecosystem services.

Empowerment upgrade, advancement of digital 
transformation in all aspects

D i g i t a l   s a l e s ,   c r e a t i n g   n e w   d r i v i n g   f o r c e s   f o r 
development.  The  Company  launched  online  agent 
recruitment,  online  agent  training  and  online  business 
development  by  employing  digital  technologies.  The  full-
process  online  agent  recruitment  was  quickly  put  into 
use; 155,000 AI online training sessions were carried out, 
with  the  number  of  participations  reaching  11.10  million 
person-time;  live  video  streaming  of  morning  assemblies 
and cloud innovation meetings, etc., were held intensively, 
with  a  daily  average  number  of  2,200  meetings  during 
the  pandemic;  the  “Golden  Manual  2.0”  was  upgraded 
in  all  aspects  to  facilitate  precise  marketing  with  more 
powerful intelligent algorithm, so as to realize the overall 
empowerment of digital tools of the insurance sales value 
chain.

Digital  field  offices,  creating  new  intelligent  bases. 
Cutting-edge  technologies  such  as  5G,  “Internet  of 
Things”  and  edge  computing  were  widely  applied  in  the 
Company’s  30,000  field  offices  across  China  (including 
branches  and  sales  &  services  offices),  and  the  newly 
equipped  electronic  facilities  such  as  the  self-service 
terminals  for  business  processing,  intelligent  sensing 
equipment  and  visualized  smart  screen  brought  new 
vitality  to  field  offices.  Given  the  application  of  the 
automatic  Internet  access,  digital  coaching  and  training, 
multi-dimensional  and  visualized  performance  tracking, 
and  AI  real-time  performance  reporting,  the  field  offices 
were  established  to  be  important  digital  supports  for 
service extension.

Digital services, enhancing customers’ new experience. 
Being  customer-centric,  the  Company  pushed  forward 
intelligent  upgrade  of  online  services.  The  “Contactless 
Services”  facilitated  customers  accessing  insurance 
services  just  at  home  by  employing  Internet  video  and 
intelligent  identification  technology.  Based  on  big  data 
and  AI  technologies,  the  intelligent  claims  settlement 
model  for  health  insurance,  covering  19  key  risks  in 
five  categories,  made  claims  settlement  services  more 
efficient and convenient, and the big data-based intelligent 
policy “health check” with the family of customers as the 
focus  provided  thoughtful  suggestions  for  customers  to 
make the best choices.

30

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisOperations and Services

In  2020,  focusing  on  customer  demands,  the  Company 
adhered  to  the  operation  and  management  objective 
of  “strengthening  efficiency,  promoting  technology 
driven  development,  achieving  value  improvements  and 
offering  first-class  customer  experience”  and  upheld  the 
“convenient,  quality  and  caring”  service  concept  to  push 
forward  operations  and  services  to  be  more  Internet-
based,  intelligent,  integrated  and  ecological  and  provide 
customers  with  high-quality  services.  In  early  2020,  the 
Company  upgraded  a  variety  of  services  to  overcome 
severe  challenges  during  the  pandemic.  The  Company 
made  a  quick  response  to  simplify  claims  settlement 
procedures,  implemented  remote  claims  settlement 
and  remote  investigation  over  video,  and  completed  the 
payment of more than 1,000 coronavirus-related claims. It 
also introduced a new service mode, namely the “Online 
Customer  Service  Agent”,  through  which  customers 
could easily connect to the online customer service agent 
with  one  click,  and  offered  the  special  telephone  voice 
navigation and 24/7 customer services so as to fully meet 
customers’ needs.

Product  supply  was  enriched  constantly.  In  2020,  the 
Company  adhered  to  the  product  development  concept 
of  being  “customer  centric,  market  oriented  and  value 
focused”,  strengthened  asset-liability  management  and 
continued  to  intensify  product  development  such  as  the 
protection-oriented  products.  High-quality  development 
of  the  Company  was  properly  supported  through  product 
innovation  and  upgrade.  The  Company  currently  had  a 
product  system  catering  to  all  types  of  customers,  and 
created a variety of brand products in the market. In 2020, 
the Company newly developed and upgraded a total of 237 
products, including 19 life insurance products, 198 health 
insurance products, 7 accident insurance products and 13 
annuity  insurance  products.  Out  of  these  products,  216 
were protection-oriented products and 21 were long-term 
savings products.

Online services were expanded with increased quality. 
The  Company  focused  on  usage  habits  of  its  customers 
and  designed  more  online  service  applications  available 
at  the  fingertips  through  the  Internet.  Service  contents 
were  enriched  continuously  to  promote  online  and 
offline  service  coordination.  The  number  of  active  users 
of  China  Life  Insurance  App  increased  by  48%  year  on 
year,  paperless  application  rate  of  long-term  individual 
insurance reached 99.9% and the promotion of paperless 
application  rate  of  group  insurance  reached  97.9%,  the 
online processing rate of policy administration and claims 
settlement for individual and group insurance rose by 20, 
28 and 37 percentage points year on year respectively, and 
the number of electronic notification messages increased 
by 82.5% year on year.

Intelligent services were convenient and efficient. The 
Company  further  applied  AI  technologies  in  a  variety  of 
business  processes  to  provide  customers  with  efficient 
and  precise  services.  The  use  of  intelligent  models  for 
review and quality inspection in the process of insurance 
application  helped  increase  efficiencies  of  underwriting 
and  dual  recordings  by  40%  and  25%,  respectively, 
year  on  year.  The  Company  also  sped  up  application 
of  intelligent  technologies  in  its  contacting  services 
with  intelligent  online  customer  services  and  intelligent 
outbound-call  services  up  by  158%  year  on  year,  and 
the  volume  of  electronic  follow-up  calls  for  new  policies 
reaching  92%.  The  application  of  intelligent  models 
promoted  the  automated  approval  rates  of  underwriting 
a n d   p o l i c y   a d m i n i s t r a t i o n   t o   b e   9 2 . 7 %   a n d   9 9 % , 
respectively.

Insurance  policy  services  became  more  friendly. 
To  meet  customers’  needs,  the  Company  provided 
“convenient  and  caring”  services  of  premium  quality  in 
claims  settlement  with  integrated  internal  and  external 
resources.  A  network  of  over  20,000  medical  institutions 
was established, providing direct claims payment services 
for  customers  of  more  than  five  million  person-times 
in  2020.  With  the  promotion  of  “Claims  Settlement  for 
Critical  Illness  within  One  Day”,  the  time  required  for 
making  a  claims  payment  was  further  shortened,  and 
customers  with  critical  illness  could  be  paid  soon  after 
their diagnosis was confirmed. The scope of services and 
service  efficiency  were  comprehensively  improved  as 
more service contact points were available for customers 
and self-service channels were enriched in terms of policy 
administration.

Deployment  of  ecological  services  was  accelerated. 
The  Company  completed  a  framework  for  customer 
experience  management,  designed  a  route  panorama 
for  future  customer  services  and  established  a  customer 
e x p e r i e n c e   i m p r o v e m e n t   m e c h a n i s m   d r i v e n   b y 
customers’  needs  to  constantly  optimize  its  business 
process.  In  2020,  the  Company  upgraded  the  online  + 
offline  scenario-based  ecological  service  model,  and  the 
number  of  participants  in  the  customer  festival  and  the 
online  visits  of  the  “Little  Painters  of  China  Life”  event 
increased  by  20%  and  300%  year  on  year,  respectively. 
430  million  recommendations  of  personalized  service 
scenarios to customers were made, effectively extending 
the customer experience chain.

31

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisConstantly  implementing  the  strategy  of  “Inclusive 
Healthcare” and “Integrated Aged-care”. The Company 
actively  participated  in  the  “Healthy  China”  program. 
B y  c o n s o l i d a t i n g  t h e  r e s o u r c e s  o f  h e a l t h c a r e  a n d 
medical  services,  the  Company  established  a  healthcare 
e c o s y s t e m   c o v e r i n g   f u l l   l i f e   c y c l e s   t o   c o n s t a n t l y 
improve  its  health  service  capabilities,  and  promoted 
the  construction  of  the  online  and  offline  platforms  by 
enhancing  cooperation  with  technology  companies  to 
explore the possible feasibility that insurance businesses 
were  propelled  by  health  services.  As  at  the  end  of  the 
Reporting  Period,  more  than  a  hundred  types  of  services 
were available on China Life Inclusive Healthcare Service 
Platform,  and  the  accumulated  number  of  its  registered 
users led the industry. During the pandemic, the Company 
quickly  established  the  “Healthcare  Service  Zone” 
especially for the prevention and control of the pandemic. 
In 2020, the Company created an innovative model for the 
cooperation  between  medical  and  insurance  entities  and 
promoted  application  of  the  integrated  claims  settlement 
model of “basic medical insurance + supplementary major 
medical  expenses  insurance  +  commercial  insurance”. 
The  Company  continued  to  extend  the  deployment  of 
China  Life  aged  care,  and  invested  in  the  construction 
of  several  large  retirement  communities  in  Suzhou, 
Hainan,  Chengdu  and  other  cities.  The  Company  set  up 
the China Life Integrated Aged Care Fund, steadily made 
investments by focusing on real assets such as continuing 
care  retirement  communities,  medical  care  complexes  in 
urban core areas and boutique aged care apartments, and 
deployed high-quality resources in the aged care industry 
such  as  rehabilitation,  medical  and  care,  hospital,  health 
care  big  data  and  health  industrial  parks,  so  as  to  further 
meet the needs of customers in the strategic regions such 
as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Economic Belt 
and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao.

PERFORMANCE OF THE CORPORATE 
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

For the performance of the corporate social responsibility by 
the Company during the Reporting Period, please refer to the 
full text of the “2020 Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG) & Social Responsibility Report” (“ESG Report 2020”) 
separately  disclosed  by  the  Company  on  the  website  of 
the  SSE  (http://www.sse.com.cn)  and  the  HKExnews 
website of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited 
(http://www.hkexnews.hk).  The  specific  information  on 
environment is set out in Part 6 of the “ESG Report 2020”.

FUTURE PROSPECT

Industry Landscape and Development Trends

China is still in an important period of strategic opportunity 
for  development  at  present  and  for  the  foreseeable 
future, and the foundation for long-term economic growth 
remains solid. With the full kick-off of the “14th Five-Year 
Plan”, a new development pattern of “dual circulation” is 
to  be  fostered,  propelling  sustained  and  healthy  growth 
of  China’s  economy,  which  will  provide  a  favourable 
external  environment  for  the  high-quality  development 
of  the  insurance  industry.  Recently,  insurance  regulatory 
authorities issued a number of policies to strengthen long-
term strong oversight of the industry, and put great efforts 
to  address  market  disorders  so  as  to  maintain  economic 
and  financial  security,  laying  a  solid  foundation  for  the 
healthy  development  of  the  industry.  China  has  initiated 
the  “Healthy  China”  program  to  actively  cope  with  the 
aging  population,  and  healthcare  and  aged-care  sectors 
will become the important growth drivers for life insurance 
industry in the next stage of development. The insurance-
technology  integration  will  be  further  accelerated,  and 
with cloud computing, big data, AI and other technologies 
further  empowering  the  insurance  value  chain  in  aspects 
such  as  sales  and  services,  operation  and  management 
and  risk  prevention  and  control,  digital  transformation 
of  the  industry  will  be  further  sped  up.  As  the  insurance 
market  fully  opening  up,  there  will  be  more  insurance 
providers  in  the  industry,  which  will  further  enhance  the 
market sophistication. Given the multiple positive factors, 
there  is  still  great  development  potential  and  broad 
development space for China’s life insurance industry.

Development Strategies and Business Plans of 
the Company

2021  is  the  critical  year  for  the  Company’s  high-quality 
development. The Company will push forward “China Life 
Revitalization” initiative in all aspects, taking development 
as the top priority, adhering to the strategic core of “Three 
Major  Transformations,  Dual  Centers  and  Dual  Focuses, 
Asset-liability  Interaction”,  upholding  the  operational 
guideline  of  “prioritizing  business  value,  strengthening 
the  sales  force,  achieving  stable  growth,  upgrading 
technology,  optimizing  services,  and  guarding  against 
risks”, in order to achieve steady business development, 
i m p r o v e  d e v e l o p m e n t  q u a l i t y ,  d e e p e n  r e f o r m  a n d 
innovation,  and  constantly  enhance  risk  prevention  and 
control.  These  efforts  will  greatly  power  the  Company’s 
high-quality development during the “14th Five-Year Plan” 
period.

32

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisPotential Risks

T h e  i n t e r n a t i o n a l  e c o n o m i c  a n d  f i n a n c i a l  s i t u a t i o n 
remains  complicated  and  challenging,  there  are  many 
uncertainties in the impact of the pandemic at home and 
abroad  and  the  external  environment,  and  the  foundation 
for  the  recovery  of  the  domestic  economy  is  not  yet 
very solid, which together bring challenges for the stable 
development  of  the  insurance  business.  Insurance  funds 
investment  is  facing  challenges  such  as  downward 
trend  of  the  benchmark  interest  rate  in  the  domestic 
market,  an  increase  of  defaults  in  the  bond  market  and 
shortages  of  assets  with  long  duration,  which  result  in 
more  pressure  on  asset  allocation.  The  Company  will 
take a variety of measures to actively deal with risks and 
challenges. On the one hand, it will closely follow market 
conditions  and  customer  demands,  put  more  efforts  to 
product  innovation,  optimize  product  structure,  improve 
service  quality,  and  actively  expand  the  insurance  supply 
with  enhanced  quality;  on  the  other  hand,  the  Company 

will  reinforce  its  research  and  judgement  on  the  macro-
economic  situations,  enhance  asset-liability  management 
and  flexibly  adjust  asset  allocation  for  the  purpose 
of  achieving  stable  investment  income.  Moreover, 
the  Company  will  adhere  to  the  market-oriented  and 
customer-centered  principle,  push  forward  reform  and 
transformation  and  fully  enhance  the  quality  of  business 
operation  and  management.  In  the  future,  the  Company 
will  continuously  focus  on  and  enhance  the  analysis  of 
complex  risk  factors  including  the  COVID-19  pandemic, 
and strive to promote its high-quality development.

The  Company  believes  that  it  will  have  sufficient  capital 
to  meet  its  insurance  business  expenditures  and  new 
general investment needs in 2021. At the same time, the 
Company will make corresponding financing arrangements 
based  on  capital  market  conditions  to  further  implement 
its future business development strategies.

33

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and AnalysisChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Management Discussion and Analysis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 
c a n  b e  p r o v i d e d  b y  t h e  e m b e d d e d  v a l u e  m e t h o d . 
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  shareholders’ 
interest  in  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.

34

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | 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  the  “CAA  Standards  of  Actuarial 
Practice:  Appraisal  of  Embedded  Value”  issued  by  the 
China  Association  of  Actuaries  (“CAA”)  in  November 
2016.  Willis  Towers  Watson,  an  international  firm  of 
consultants, performed a review of China Life’s embedded 
value. The review statement from Willis Towers Watson is 
contained  in  the  “Willis  Towers  Watson’s  review  opinion 
report on embedded value” section.

ASSUMPTIONS

Economic  assumptions:  The  calculations  are  based  upon 
assumed  corporate  tax  rate  of  25%  for  all  years.  The 
investment  return  is  assumed  to  be  5%  per  annum. 
16%  grading  to  20%  (remaining  level  thereafter)  of  the 
investment return is assumed to be exempt from income 
tax.  The  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 10% per annum.

Other operating assumptions such as mortality, morbidity, 
lapses and expenses are based on the Company’s recent 
operating experience and expected future outlook.

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 required capital.

“Adjusted net worth” is equal to the sum of:

•  Net assets, defined as assets less corresponding policy 

liabilities and other liabilities valued; and

•  N e t - o f - t a x  a d j u s t m e n t s  f o r  r e l e v a n t  d i f f e r e n c e s 
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  shareholders’  interest  in 
distributable earnings for existing in-force business at the 
valuation  date  and  for  one  year’s  sales  in  the  12  months 
immediately preceding the valuation date.

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.

35

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded ValueChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded ValueSUMMARY OF RESULTS

The embedded value as at 31 December 2020, the value of one year’s sales for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020, 
and the corresponding results as at 31 December 2019 are shown below:

Components of Embedded Value and Value of One Year’s Sales

ITEM

A  Adjusted Net Worth
B  Value of In-Force Business before Cost of Required Capital
C  Cost of Required Capital
D  Value of In-Force Business after Cost of Required Capital (B + C)
E  Embedded Value (A + D)

F  Value of One Year’s Sales before Cost of Required Capital
G  Cost of Required Capital
H  Value of One Year’s Sales after Cost of Required Capital (F + G)

Including: Value of One Year’s Sales of Individual Agent Business Sector

RMB million

31 December
2020

31 December
2019

568,587
565,797
(62,244)
503,553
1,072,140

64,354
(5,981)
58,373
57,669

482,793
509,515
(50,220)
459,295
942,087

63,745
(5,047)
58,698
56,972

Note 1:  Numbers may not be additive due to rounding.

Note 2:  The results of individual agent business sector for the year 2019 have been restated to allow for new sector definitions on a pro forma basis.

The new business margin of one year’s sales of individual agent business sector for the 12 months ended 31 December 
2020 is shown below:

New Business Margin of One Year’s Sales of Individual Agent Business Sector

By First Year Premium
By Annual Premium Equivalent

31 December
2020

31 December
2019

47.9%
48.1%

49.4%
49.4%

Note 1:  First Year Premium is the written premium used for calculation of the value of one year’s sales and Annual Premium Equivalent is calculated as the 

sum of 100 percent of first year regular premiums and 10 percent of single premiums.

Note 2:  The results of individual agent business sector for the year 2019 have been restated to allow for new sector definitions on a pro forma basis.

36

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded Value 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

The following analysis tracks the movement of the embedded value from the start to the end of the Reporting Period:

Analysis of Embedded Value Movement in 2020

ITEM

Investment Experience Variance

A  Embedded Value at the Start of Year
B  Expected Return on Embedded Value
C  Value of New Business in the Period
D  Operating Experience Variance
E 
F  Methodology, Model and Assumption Changes
G  Market Value and Other Adjustments
H  Exchange Gains or Losses
I  Shareholder Dividend Distribution and Capital Changes
J  Others
K  Embedded Value as at 31 December 2020 (sum A through J)

RMB million

942,087
75,991
58,373
567
24,024
950
(1,293)
(518)
(28,626)
585
1,072,140

Notes: 

Items B through J are explained below:

B  Reflects expected impact of covered business, and the expected return on investments supporting the 2020 opening net worth.

C  Value of one year’s sales for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020.

D  Reflects  the  difference  between  actual  operating  experience  in  2020  (including  mortality,  morbidity,  lapse,  and  expenses  etc.)  and  the 

assumptions.

E  Compares actual with expected investment returns during 2020.

F  Reflects the effects of appraisal methodology and model enhancement, and assumption changes.

G  Change in the market value adjustment from the beginning of year 2020 to 31 December 2020 and other adjustments.

H  Reflects the gains or losses due to changes in exchange rate.

I 

Reflects dividends distributed to shareholders during 2020 and redemption of other equity instruments.

J  Other miscellaneous items.

37

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded ValueChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded Value 
 
 
 
 
 
SENSITIVITY RESULTS

Sensitivity  tests  were  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:

Sensitivity Results

Base case scenario
1.  Risk discount rate +50bps
2.  Risk discount rate -50bps
Investment return +50bps
3. 
4. 
Investment return -50bps
5.  10% increase in expenses
6.  10% decrease in expenses
7.  10% increase in mortality rate for non-annuity products 
and 10% decrease in mortality rate for annuity products
8.  10% decrease in mortality rate for non-annuity products 

and 10% increase in mortality rate for annuity products

9.  10% increase in lapse rates
10.  10% decrease in lapse rates
11.  10% increase in morbidity rates
12.  10% decrease in morbidity rates
13.  Using 2019 EV appraisal assumptions
14.  Allowing for diversification in calculation of VIF

RMB million

Value of In-Force
Business after Cost 
of Required Capital

Value of One year’s
Sales after Cost 
of Required Capital

503,553
480,522
528,297
598,225
409,278
497,088
510,018
499,989

507,089

502,802
504,252
496,380
510,867
501,482
545,333

58,373
55,630
61,344
68,247
48,499
54,817
61,930
57,440

59,310

57,061
59,735
56,121
60,631
59,106
–

38

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded Value 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opinion

Based  on  the  scope  of  work  above,  we  have  concluded 
that:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the  embedded  value  methodology  used  by  China  Life 
is in accordance with the “CAA Standards of Actuarial 
Practice: Appraisal of Embedded Value” issued by the 
CAA;

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; 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 Willis Towers Watson
Lingde Hong 

  Stanley Lu

25 March 2021

WILLIS 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 as at 31 December 
2020 (“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  (“Willis 
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:

•  a  review  of  the  methodology  used  to  develop  the 
embedded  value  and  value  of  one  year’s  sales  as  at 
31  December  2020,  in  accordance  with  the  “CAA 
Standards of Actuarial Practice: Appraisal of Embedded 
Value”  issued  by  the  China  Association  of  Actuaries 
(“CAA”);

•  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 2020; and

•  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.

39

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded ValueChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Embedded Value 
 
SIGNIFICANT

EVENTS

MATERIAL LITIGATIONS OR 
ARBITRATIONS

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  was  not 
involved in any material litigation or arbitration.

MAJOR CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS

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  Rules  Governing  the 
Listing  of  Securities  on  the  HKSE  (the  “Listing  Rules”), 
including the policy management agreement between the 
Company  and  CLIC3,  the  asset  management  agreement 
between  the  Company  and  AMC,  the  insurance  sales 
framework agreement between the Company and CLP&C, 
the  framework  agreements  entered  into  by  CLWM  with 
CLIC,  CLP&C,  CLI,  Pension  Company  and  China  Life 
E-commerce  Company  Limited  (“CLEC”),  respectively, 

the  framework  agreement  between  the  Company  and 
Chongqing  International  Trust  Inc.  (“Chongqing  Trust”), 
and  the  framework  agreement  between  the  Company 
and  China  Life  Capital.  These  continuing  connected 
transactions were subject to the reporting, announcement 
and  annual  review  requirements  but  were  exempt  from 
the  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirement 
under the Listing Rules. CLIC, the controlling shareholder 
of  the  Company,  holds  60%  of  the  equity  interest  in 
CLP&C  and  100%  of  the  equity  interest  in  each  of  CLI, 
CLEC  and  China  Life  Capital.  Therefore,  each  of  CLIC, 
CLP&C,  CLI,  CLEC  and  China  Life  Capital  constitutes  a 
connected person of the Company. AMC is held as to 60% 
and  40%  by  the  Company  and  CLIC,  respectively,  and  is 
therefore a connected subsidiary of the Company. CLWM 
is a subsidiary of AMC, and is therefore also a connected 
s u b s i d i a r y  o f  t h e  C o m p a n y .  C h o n g q i n g  T r u s t  i s  a n 
associate of CLIC and CLP&C by virtue of its acting as the 
trustee of a trust scheme of which CLP&C is a beneficiary, 
and is therefore also a connected person of the Company 
pursuant to Rule 14A.13(2) of the Listing Rules.

3 

The  2021  policy  management  agreement  renewed  by  the  Company  and  CLIC  was  exempt  from  the  reporting,  announcement,  annual  review  and 
independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.

40

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsDuring  the  Reporting  Period,  the  continuing  connected 
transactions  carried  out  by  the  Company  that  were 
subject  to  the  reporting,  announcement,  annual  review 
and  independent  shareholders’  approval  requirements 
under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules  included  the 
framework  agreements  entered  into  by  AMP  with  the 
Company,  CLIC,  CLP&C  and  CLI,  respectively,  and  the 
asset management agreement for alternative investments 
between  the  Company  and  CLI.  Such  agreements  and 
the  transactions  thereunder  have  been  approved  by 
the  independent  shareholders  of  the  Company.  AMP 
is  a  subsidiary  of  AMC,  and  is  therefore  a  connected 
subsidiary of the Company.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  also  carried 
out  certain  continuing  connected  transactions,  including 
the  asset  management  agreement  between  CLIC  and 
A M C ,  a n d  t h e  f r a m e w o r k  a g r e e m e n t  b e t w e e n  t h e 
Company  and  CLWM,  which  were  exempt  from  the 
reporting, announcement, annual review and independent 
shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of 
the Listing Rules.

T h e   C o m p a n y   h a s   c o m p l i e d   w i t h   t h e   d i s c l o s u r e 
requirements  under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules  in 
respect  of  the  above  continuing  connected  transactions. 
W h e n  c o n d u c t i n g  t h e  a b o v e  c o n t i n u i n g  c o n n e c t e d 
transactions  during  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company 
has followed the pricing policies and guidelines formulated 
at the time when such transactions were entered into.

Policy Management Agreement

The  Company  and  CLIC  entered  into  the  2018  policy 
management  agreement  on  26  December  2017,  with  a 
term from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020. Pursuant 
to  the  agreement,  the  Company  agreed  to  provide  policy 
administration  services  to  CLIC  relating  to  the  non-
transferred  policies.  The  Company  acted  as  a  service 
provider  under  the  agreement  and  did  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  35  in 
the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The 
annual  cap  for  the  three  years  ended  31  December  2020 
was  RMB708  million.  The  Company  and  CLIC  entered 
into  the  2021  policy  management  agreement  on  31 
December  2020,  with  a  term  from  1  January  2021  to  31 
December 2021. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company 
will  continue  to  accept  CLIC’s  entrustment  to  provide 
policy  administration  services  relating  to  non-transferred 
policies.  The  annual  cap  in  respect  of  the  service  fee  to 
be  paid  by  CLIC  to  the  Company  for  the  year  ending  31 
December 2021 is RMB599 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  service  fee 
paid  by  CLIC  to  the  Company  amounted  to  RMB563.70 
million.

Asset Management Agreements

Asset Management Agreement between the Company 
and AMC

The  Company  and  AMC  entered  into  the  2019-2021 
asset  management  agreement  on  28  December  2018, 
with  a  term  from  1  January  2019  to  31  December  2021. 
In  order  to  optimize  the  structure  of  service  fees  and 
further  enhance  the  performance  incentives  for  AMC, 
the  Company  and  AMC  entered  into  the  2020-2022 
asset  management  agreement  on  1  July  2020  to  replace 
the  2019-2021  asset  management  agreement,  and  to 
revise  the  annual  caps  in  light  of  the  needs  for  business 
development  and  the  revised  structure  of  service  fees. 
Pursuant to the 2020-2022 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, 
regulatory  requirements  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 
service  fee,  please  refer  to  Note  35  in  the  Notes  to  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  annual  caps  for 
the three years ending 31 December 2022 are RMB3,000 
m i l l i o n ,  R M B 4 , 0 0 0  m i l l i o n  a n d  R M B 5 , 0 0 0  m i l l i o n , 
respectively.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the Company paid 
AMC a service fee of RMB2,089.15 million.

Asset Management Agreement between CLIC and AMC

C L I C   a n d   A M C   e n t e r e d   i n t o   t h e   2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 1   a s s e t 
management  agreement  on  29  December  2018,  with  an 
entrustment  term  from  1  January  2019  to  31  December 
2021.  In  order  to  optimize  the  structure  of  service  fees 
and  further  enhance  the  performance  incentives  for 
AMC,  CLIC  and  AMC  entered  into  the  2020-2022  asset 
management  agreement  on  1  July  2020  to  replace 
the  2019-2021  asset  management  agreement,  and  to 
revise  the  annual  caps  in  light  of  the  needs  for  business 
development  and  the  revised  structure  of  service  fees. 
Pursuant to the 2020-2022 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 

41

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant Events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 service fee, 
please  refer  to  Note  35  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements.  The  annual  cap  for  the  three  years 
ending 31 December 2022 is RMB500 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, CLIC paid AMC a 
service fee of RMB125.36 million.

Asset Management Agreement for Alternative Investments 
between the Company and CLI

As  approved  by  the  2017  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the 
Company,  the  Company  and  CLI  entered  into  the  2019 
asset management agreement for alternative investments 
on  31  December  2018.  Such  agreement  took  effect 
from  1  January  2019,  with  a  term  of  two  years  until  31 
December  2020.  Unless  a  party  served  the  other  party  a 
written  notice  for  non-renewal  prior  to  90  working  days 
before  the  expiry  date  of  the  agreement,  the  agreement 
would  be  automatically  renewed  for  one  year  from  the 
expiry  date  thereof.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  CLI 
agreed to invest and manage assets entrusted to it by the 
Company  (including  equity,  real  estate,  related  financial 
products  and  quasi-securitization  financial  products),  on 
a  discretionary  basis,  within  the  scope  of  utilization  of 
insurance  funds  as  specified  by  regulatory  authorities 

and  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  applicable 
laws  and  regulations  and  the  investment  guidelines 
given  by  the  Company,  and  the  Company  agreed  to  pay 
CLI  the  investment  management  service  fee,  floating 
management  fee,  performance-based  bonus  and  real 
estate  operation  management  fee  in  respect  of  the 
investment and management services provided by CLI to 
the Company. For details as to the method of calculation 
of  the  investment  management  service  fee,  floating 
management  fee,  performance-based  bonus  and  real 
estate operation management fee, please refer to Note 35 
in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements. 
In  addition,  the  assets  entrusted  by  the  Company  to  CLI 
would  also  be  partially  used  for  the  subscription  of  the 
related  financial  products  established  and  issued  by  CLI 
or of which CLI had participated in the establishment and 
issuance,  and  such  related  financial  products  would  be 
limited  to  infrastructure  investment  schemes  and  project 
asset-backed schemes.

For  the  three  years  ending  31  December  2021,  the 
annual  caps  on  the  contractual  amount  of  assets  newly 
entrusted  by  the  Company  to  CLI  for  investment  and 
management,  as  well  as  the  annual  caps  on  the  amount 
of  the  investment  management  service  fee,  floating 
management  fee,  performance-based  bonus  and  real 
estate operation management service fee payable by the 
Company to CLI are as follows:

Amount of Assets Newly
Entrusted for Investment and
Management during the Period
(including the Amount
for Subscription of the Related
Financial Products)
(RMB million or its
equivalent in foreign currency)

Amount of the Investment
Management Service Fee,
Floating Management Fee,
Performance-based Bonus
and Real Estate Operation
Management Service Fee
(RMB million or its
equivalent in foreign currency)

For the year ended 

31 December 2019

For the year ended 

31 December 2020

For the year ending 

31 December 2021

200,000
(including the amount for the subscription
of the related financial products: 100,000)
200,000
(including the amount for the subscription
of the related financial products: 100,000)
200,000
(including the amount for the subscription
of the related financial products: 100,000)

1,391

1,982

2,266

42

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant Events 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  investment 
management  service  fee,  floating  management  fee, 
performance-based  bonus  and  real  estate  operation 
management  service  fee  paid  by  the  Company  to  CLI 
amounted  to  RMB650.74  million,  and  the  contractual 
amount  of  assets  newly  entrusted  by  the  Company  to 
CLI for investment and management was RMB58,385.07 
million.  For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the 
amount  for  the  subscription  of  the  related  financial 
products  established  and  issued  by  CLI  or  of  which  CLI 
had  participated  in  the  establishment  and  issuance  was 
RMB7,550.00 million.

Cooperation Framework Agreement for Investment 
Management with Insurance Funds between the 
Company and China Life Capital

The  Company  and  China  Life  Capital  entered  into  the 
2020-2022 framework agreement on 31 December 2019, 
with  a  term  from  1  January  2020  to  31  December  2022. 
Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  the  Company  will  continue 
to  subscribe  in  the  capacity  of  the  limited  partner  for 
the  fund  products  of  which  China  Life  Capital  or  any  of 
its  subsidiaries  serves  (individually  and  jointly  with  third 
parties) as the general partner, and/or the fund products of 
which China Life Capital serves as the manager (including 
the  fund  manager  and  co-manager).  For  the  three  years 
e n d i n g  3 1  D e c e m b e r  2 0 2 2 ,  t h e  a n n u a l  c a p  f o r  t h e 
subscription by the Company in the capacity of the limited 
partner  of  the  fund  products  of  which  China  Life  Capital 
or any of its subsidiaries serves as the general partner is 
RMB5,000 million, and the annual cap for the management 
fee charged by China Life Capital as the general partner or 
the manager of the fund products is RMB200 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  amount  of 
subscription by the Company in the capacity of the limited 
partner of the fund products of which China Life Capital or 
any  of  its  subsidiaries  serves  as  the  general  partner  was 
RMB0 million, and the management fee charged by China 
Life  Capital  as  the  general  partner  or  the  manager  of  the 
fund products was RMB93.16 million.

Insurance Sales Framework Agreement

The Company and CLP&C entered into the 2018 insurance 
sales  framework  agreement  on  31  January  2018,  with 
a  term  of  three  years  from  8  March  2018  to  7  March 
2021. Pursuant to the agreement, CLP&C will entrust the 
Company  to  act  as  an  agent  to  sell  selected  insurance 
products  within  the  authorized  regions,  and  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  35  in  the  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.  The  annual  caps  for  the  three  years  ended 
31  December  2020  were  RMB4,260  million,  RMB5,540 
million and RMB7,050 million, respectively. The Company 
a n d  C L P & C  e n t e r e d  i n t o  t h e  2 0 2 1  i n s u r a n c e  s a l e s 
framework  agreement  on  20  February  2021,  with  a  term 
of two years from 8 March 2021 to 7 March 2023. Unless 
a  party  serves  the  other  party  a  written  notice  for  non-
renewal within 30 days before the expiration of the 2021 
insurance  sales  framework  agreement,  the  agreement 
will  be  automatically  extended  for  one  year  to  7  March 
2024. Pursuant to the agreement, CLP&C will continue to 
entrust  the  Company  to  act  as  an  agent  to  sell  selected 
insurance products within the authorized regions, and pay 
an  agency  service  fee  to  the  Company  in  consideration 
of  the  services  provided.  The  annual  caps  for  the  three 
years  ending  31  December  2023  are  RMB3,500  million, 
RMB3,830 million and RMB4,240 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  CLP&C  paid  the 
Company an agency service fee of RMB2,211.17 million.

Framework Agreements with AMP

Framework Agreement between the Company and AMP

As  approved  by  the  First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting 
2019 of the Company, the Company and AMP entered into 
the  2020-2022  framework  agreement  on  31  December 
2019,  with  a  term  of  three  years  from  1  January  2020 
to  31  December  2022.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  the 
Company  and  AMP  will  continue  to  conduct  certain  daily 
transactions, including the 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 
t h r o u g h  a r m ’ s  l e n g t h  n e g o t i a t i o n s  w i t h  r e f e r e n c e 
to  industry  practices.  For  the  three  years  ending  31 
December 2022, the annual cap of the subscription price 
and  corresponding  subscription  fee  for  the  subscription 
of  fund  products  is  RMB72,600  million;  the  annual  cap 
of  the  redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption 
fee  for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  is  RMB72,600 
million; the annual caps of the sales commission fee and 
client  maintenance  fee  payable  by  AMP  are  RMB700 
million, RMB800 million and RMB900 million, respectively; 
the  annual  caps  of  the  management  fee  (including  the 
performance-based  fee)  payable  by  the  Company  for 
the  asset  management  for  specific  clients  are  RMB300 
million, RMB400 million and RMB500 million, respectively; 
and the annual cap of the fees for other daily transactions 
is RMB100 million.

43

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsFor  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  subscription 
p r i c e   a n d   c o r r e s p o n d i n g   s u b s c r i p t i o n   f e e   f o r   t h e 
subscription of fund products were RMB2,939.00 million, 
the  redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption  fee 
for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  were  RMB3,430.25 
million, the sales commission fee and client maintenance 
fee paid by AMP were RMB2.50 million, the management 
fee  (including  the  performance-based  fee)  paid  by  the 
Company  for  the  asset  management  for  specific  clients 
was  RMB37.51  million,  and  the  fees  for  other  daily 
transactions were RMB9.28 million.

Framework Agreement between CLIC and AMP

As  approved  by  the  First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting 
2019  of  the  Company,  CLIC  and  AMP  entered  into  the 
2020-2022  framework  agreement  on  6  September  2019, 
with  a  term  of  three  years  from  1  January  2020  to  31 
December  2022.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  CLIC  and 
AMP  will  continue  to  conduct  certain  daily  transactions, 
in clu ding  the  subscription  and  re d e mp ti o n  o f  fu nd 
products  and  private  asset  management.  Pricing  of  the 
transactions  under  the  agreement  shall  be  determined 
by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with 
reference  to  industry  practices.  For  the  three  years 
e n d i n g  3 1  D e c e m b e r  2 0 2 2 ,  t h e  a n n u a l  c a p  o f  t h e 
subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription  fee 
for  the  subscription  of  fund  products  is  RMB10,000 
million;  the  annual  cap  of  the  redemption  price  and 
corresponding redemption fee for the redemption of fund 
products  is  RMB10,000  million;  and  the  annual  cap  of 
the  management  fee  (including  the  performance-based 
fee) payable by CLIC for the private asset management is 
RMB100 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  subscription 
p r i c e   a n d   c o r r e s p o n d i n g   s u b s c r i p t i o n   f e e   f o r   t h e 
subscription  of  fund  products  were  RMB700.00  million, 
the  redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption  fee 
for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  were  RMB1,470.58 
m i l l i o n ,   a n d   t h e   m a n a g e m e n t   f e e   ( i n c l u d i n g   t h e 
performance-based fee) paid by CLIC for the private asset 
management was RMB23.79 million.

Framework Agreement between CLP&C and AMP

As  approved  by  the  First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting 
2019  of  the  Company,  CLP&C  and  AMP  entered  into  the 
2020-2022  framework  agreement  on  3  December  2019, 
with  a  term  of  three  years  from  1  January  2020  to  31 
December  2022.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  CLP&C  and 
AMP  will  continue  to  conduct  certain  daily  transactions, 
in clu ding  the  subscription  and  re d e mp ti o n  o f  fu nd 
products, 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 

44

negotiations with reference to industry practices. For the 
three years ending 31 December 2022, the annual cap of 
the subscription price for the fund products is RMB10,000 
million;  the  annual  cap  of  the  redemption  price  for  the 
fund products is RMB10,000 million; the annual cap of the 
subscription fee for the fund products is RMB100 million; 
the annual cap of the redemption fee for the fund products 
is RMB100 million; the annual cap of the management fee 
(including the performance-based fee) payable by CLP&C 
for the asset management for specific clients is RMB100 
million;  and  the  annual  cap  of  the  fees  for  other  daily 
transactions is RMB100 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  subscription 
price  for  the  fund  products  was  RMB0  million,  the 
redemption  price  for  the  fund  products  was  RMB0 
million,  the  subscription  fee  for  the  fund  products  was 
RMB0  million,  the  redemption  fee  for  the  fund  products 
was  RMB0  million,  the  management  fee  (including  the 
performance-based  fee)  paid  by  CLP&C  for  the  asset 
management  for  specific  clients  was  RMB7.03  million, 
and  the  fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were  RMB0.10 
million.

Framework Agreement between CLI and AMP

As  approved  by  the  First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting 
2019 of the Company, CLI and AMP entered into the 2020-
2022  framework  agreement  on  17  February  2020,  with  a 
term of three years from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 
2022.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  CLI  and  AMP  will 
continue  to  conduct  certain  daily  transactions,  including 
the  subscription  and  redemption  of  fund  products,  asset 
management  for  specific  clients,  advisory  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 industry practices. For the 
three  years  ending  31  December  2022,  the  annual  cap 
of  the  subscription  price  and  corresponding  subscription 
fee  for  the  subscription  of  fund  products  is  RMB10,000 
million;  the  annual  cap  of  the  redemption  price  and 
corresponding  redemption  fee  for  the  redemption  of 
fund  products  is  RMB10,000  million;  the  annual  cap  of 
the  management  fee  (including  the  performance-based 
fee)  payable  by  CLI  and  its  subsidiaries  for  the  asset 
management  for  specific  clients  is  RMB150  million; 
the  annual  cap  of  the  management  fee  (including  the 
performance-based  fee)  payable  by  the  subsidiaries 
of  AMP  for  the  asset  management  for  specific  clients 
is  RMB150  million;  the  annual  cap  of  the  advisory  fee 
payable  by  CLI  and  its  subsidiaries  for  the  advisory 
services is RMB150 million; the annual cap of the advisory 
fee  payable  by  AMP  and  its  subsidiaries  for  the  advisory 
services is RMB150 million; and the annual cap of the fees 
for other daily transactions is RMB150 million.

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsFor  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  subscription 
p r i c e   a n d   c o r r e s p o n d i n g   s u b s c r i p t i o n   f e e   f o r   t h e 
subscription of fund products were RMB1,057.00 million, 
the  redemption  price  and  corresponding  redemption  fee 
for  the  redemption  of  fund  products  were  RMB549.65 
million,  the  management  fee  (including  the  performance-
based  fee)  paid  by  CLI  and  its  subsidiaries  for  the  asset 
management  for  specific  clients  was  RMB0  million,  the 
management  fee  (including  the  performance-based  fee) 
paid by the subsidiaries of AMP for the asset management 
for  specific  clients  was  RMB0  million;  the  advisory  fee 
paid  by  CLI  and  its  subsidiaries  for  the  advisory  services 
was  RMB0  million;  the  advisory  fee  paid  by  AMP  and  its 
subsidiaries  for  the  advisory  services  was  RMB0  million, 
and  the  fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were  RMB3.32 
million.

Framework Agreements with CLWM

Framework Agreement between the Company and CLWM

The  Company  and  CLWM  entered  into  the  2018-2020 
framework  agreement  on  28  December  2017,  pursuant 
t o  w h i c h  t h e  C o m p a n y  w o u l d  c o n t i n u e  t o  c o n d u c t 
certain transactions with CLWM during the period from 1 
January  2018  to  31  December  2020,  including  the  asset 
management  services,  the  sales  agency  services  for 
asset  management  products  and  other  daily  transactions 
p e r m i t t e d  b y  l a w s  a n d  r e g u l a t i o n s .  P r i c i n g  o f  t h e 
transactions  under  the  agreement  should  be  determined 
by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with 
reference to industry practices. For the three years ended 
31  December  2020,  the  annual  cap  of  the  management 
fee  payable  by  the  Company  for  the  asset  management 
services  was  RMB240  million;  the  annual  cap  of  fees 
in  connection  with  the  sales  agency  services  payable 
by  CLWM,  including  the  sales  commission  fee,  client 
maintenance fee, handling fee and intermediary fee, was 
RMB100 million; and the annual cap of the fees for other 
daily transactions was RMB100 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the management 
fee  paid  by  the  Company  for  the  asset  management 
services was RMB3.60 million; the fees in connection with 
the  sales  agency  services  paid  by  CLWM,  including  the 
sales  commission  fee,  client  maintenance  fee,  handling 
fee and intermediary fee, were RMB0 million; and the fees 
for other daily transactions were RMB7.19 million.

Framework Agreement between CLIC and CLWM

CLIC  and  CLWM  entered  into  the  2018-2020  framework 
agreement  on  27  December  2017,  pursuant  to  which 
CLIC  would  continue  to  conduct  certain  transactions 
with  CLWM  during  the  period  from  1  January  2018  to 
31  December  2020,  including  the  asset  management 
services and advisory services. Pricing of the transactions 
under  the  agreement  should  be  determined  by  the 
parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with  reference 
to  industry  practices.  For  the  three  years  ended  31 
December 2020, the annual caps of the management fee 
payable by CLIC for the asset management services were 
RMB50  million,  RMB120  million  and  RMB180  million, 
respectively;  and  the  annual  caps  of  the  advisory  fee 
payable  by  CLIC  for  the  advisory  services  were  RMB50 
million, RMB80 million and RMB120 million, respectively.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the management 
fee paid by CLIC for the asset management services was 
RMB1.35 million, and the advisory fee paid by CLIC for the 
advisory services was RMB1.63 million.

Framework Agreement between CLP&C and CLWM

CLP&C and CLWM entered into the 2018-2020 framework 
agreement  on  29  December  2017,  pursuant  to  which 
CLP&C  would  continue  to  conduct  certain  transactions 
with  CLWM  during  the  period  from  1  January  2018  to 
31  December  2020,  including  the  asset  management 
services,  advisory  services  and  other  daily  transactions 
p e r m i t t e d  b y  l a w s  a n d  r e g u l a t i o n s .  P r i c i n g  o f  t h e 
transactions  under  the  agreement  should  be  determined 
by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with 
reference to industry practices. For the three years ended 
31  December  2020,  the  annual  caps  of  the  management 
fee payable by CLP&C for the asset management services 
were  RMB50  million,  RMB150  million  and  RMB240 
million,  respectively;  the  annual  caps  of  the  advisory  fee 
payable by CLP&C for the advisory services were RMB40 
million, RMB80 million and RMB120 million, respectively; 
and the annual caps of the fees for other daily transactions 
were  RMB150  million,  RMB400  million  and  RMB700 
million, respectively.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the management 
fee  paid  by  CLP&C  for  the  asset  management  services 
was RMB2.36 million, the advisory fee paid by CLP&C for 
the advisory services was RMB2.74 million, and the fees 
for other daily transactions were RMB0.01 million.

45

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsFramework Agreement between CLI and CLWM

Framework Agreement between CLEC and CLWM

CLI  and  CLWM  entered  into  the  2018-2020  framework 
agreement  on  20  December  2017,  pursuant  to  which 
CLI  would  continue  to  conduct  certain  transactions 
with  CLWM  during  the  period  from  1  January  2018  to 
31  December  2020,  including  the  asset  management 
services,  advisory  services  and  other  daily  transactions 
p e r m i t t e d  b y  l a w s  a n d  r e g u l a t i o n s .  P r i c i n g  o f  t h e 
transactions  under  the  agreement  should  be  determined 
by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length  negotiations  with 
reference to industry practices. For the three years ended 
31  December  2020,  the  annual  caps  of  the  management 
fee  for  the  asset  management  services  were  RMB40 
million, RMB80 million and RMB120 million, respectively; 
the  annual  caps  of  the  advisory  fee  for  the  advisory 
s e r v i c e s  w e r e  R M B 4 0  m i l l i o n ,  R M B 8 0  m i l l i o n  a n d 
RMB120 million, respectively; and the annual caps of the 
fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were  RMB20  million, 
RMB80 million and RMB160 million, respectively.

CLEC  and  CLWM  entered  into  the  2018-2020  framework 
agreement  on  29  December  2017,  pursuant  to  which 
CLEC  would  conduct  certain  transactions  with  CLWM 
during  the  period  from  1  January  2018  to  31  December 
2020, including the asset management services, advisory 
services  and  other  daily  transactions  permitted  by  laws 
and  regulations.  Pricing  of  the  transactions  under  the 
agreement  should  be  determined  by  the  parties  through 
arm’s  length  negotiations  with  reference  to  industry 
practices.  For  the  three  years  ended  31  December  2020, 
the annual caps of the management fee payable by CLEC 
for  the  asset  management  services  were  RMB5  million, 
RMB10  million  and  RMB15  million,  respectively;  the 
annual  caps  of  the  advisory  fee  payable  by  CLEC  for  the 
advisory services were RMB5 million, RMB10 million and 
RMB15  million,  respectively;  and  the  annual  caps  of  the 
fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were  RMB200  million; 
RMB300 million and RMB400 million, respectively.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  there  was  no 
relevant transaction between CLI and CLWM.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  there  was  no 
relevant transaction between CLEC and CLWM.

Framework Agreement between Pension Company and 
CLWM

Framework Agreement between the Company 
and Chongqing Trust

The Company and Chongqing Trust entered into the 2020-
2022 framework agreement on 27 December 2019, with a 
term of three years from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 
2022.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement,  the  Company  and 
Chongqing Trust will continue to conduct the subscription 
a n d  r e d e m p t i o n  o f  t r u s t  p r o d u c t s  a n d  o t h e r  d a i l y 
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 industry practices. For the three years ending 
31  December  2022,  the  annual  cap  of  the  total  amount 
of  subscription  and  redemption  of  the  trust  products 
is  RMB30,000  million;  the  annual  cap  of  the  trustee’s 
remuneration is RMB500 million; and the annual cap of the 
fees for other daily transactions is RMB100 million.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  total  amount 
of subscription and redemption of the trust products was 
RMB2,999.98  million,  the  trustee’s  remuneration  was 
RMB0.06 million, and the fees for other daily transactions 
were RMB0 million.

Pension  Company  and  CLWM  entered  into  the  2018-
2020  framework  agreement  on  26  March  2018,  pursuant 
t o  w h i c h  P e n s i o n  C o m p a n y  w o u l d  c o n d u c t  c e r t a i n 
t r a n s a c t i o n s  w i t h  C L W M  d u r i n g  t h e  p e r i o d  f r o m  1 
January  2018  to  31  December  2020,  including  the  asset 
management  services,  advisory  services  and  other 
daily  transactions  permitted  by  laws  and  regulations. 
Pricing  of  the  transactions  under  the  agreement  should 
be  determined  by  the  parties  through  arm’s  length 
negotiations with reference to industry practices. For the 
three  years  ended  31  December  2020,  the  annual  caps 
of the management fee payable by Pension Company for 
the  asset  management  services  were  RMB100  million, 
RMB150  million  and  RMB200  million,  respectively;  the 
annual  caps  of  the  advisory  fee  payable  by  Pension 
Company  for  the  advisory  services  were  RMB40  million, 
RMB80  million  and  RMB90  million,  respectively;  and  the 
annual  caps  of  the  fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were 
RMB90  million,  RMB180  million  and  RMB270  million, 
respectively.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the management 
fee paid by Pension Company for the asset management 
services  was  RMB0  million,  the  advisory  fee  paid  by 
Pension Company for the advisory services was RMB0.01 
million,  and  the  fees  for  other  daily  transactions  were 
RMB0 million.

46

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsConfirmation by auditor

Other Major Connected Transaction

T h e  B o a r d  h a s  r e c e i v e d  a  c o m f o r t  l e t t e r  f r o m  t h e 
auditor  of  the  Company  with  respect  to  the  above 
continuing  connected  transactions  which  were  subject 
to  the  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.  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;
3.  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
4.  nothing has come to the auditors’ attention that causes 
them  to  believe  that  the  amounts  of  the  continuing 
connected  transactions  have  exceeded  the  total 
amount of the annual caps set by the Company.

Confirmation by Independent Directors

The  Company’s  Independent  Directors  have  reviewed 
the  above  continuing  connected  transactions  which 
were  subject  to  the  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.  t h e   t r a n s a c t i o n s   w e r e   c o n d u c t e d   o n   n o r m a l 

commercial terms;

3.  the transactions were entered into in accordance with 
the agreements governing those continuing connected 
transactions, and the terms are fair and reasonable and 
in  the  interests  of  shareholders  of  the  Company  as  a 
whole; and

4.  the  amounts  of  the  above  transactions  have  not 

exceeded the relevant annual caps.

Formation of Hebei Xiongan Baiyangdian 
Ecological and Environmental Protection Fund 
(Limited Partnership)

As  approved  at  the  sixteenth  meeting  of  the  sixth 
session  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company,  the 
Company,  Hebei  Xiongan  Industrial  Investment  Guidance 
Fund  (Limited  Partnership),  China  Communications 
C o n s t r u c t i o n   C o m p a n y   L t d . ,   P o w e r   C o n s t r u c t i o n 
Corporation  of  China,  Ltd.  and  Qihui  Huaxing  Investment 
(Beijing) Company Ltd. (each as a limited partner) entered 
into  a  partnership  agreement  with  China  Xiongan  Group 
Fund  Management  Co.,  Ltd.  and  China  Life  Industrial 
Investment  Management  Co.,  Ltd.  (“CLIIM”)  (each  as  a 
general partner) on 31 December 2020 for the formation of 
Hebei  Xiongan  Baiyangdian  Ecological  and  Environmental 
Protection  Fund  (Limited  Partnership).  The  total  capital 
contribution  by  all  partners  of  the  partnership  shall  be 
RMB6,502  million,  of  which  RMB2,000  million  shall  be 
contributed  by  the  Company.  China  Life  Capital  serves 
as  the  manager  of  the  partnership.  The  partnership 
has  a  term  of  fifteen  years.  It  will  invest  in  ecological 
and  environmental  protection  projects  in  Baiyangdian 
watershed,  covering  water,  solid  waste  treatment  and 
other industries.

Formation of Beijing China Life Aged-care 
Industry Investment Fund (Limited Partnership)

As  approved  by  the  First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting 
2020  of  the  Company,  the  Company  (as  the  limited 
partner) entered into a partnership agreement with China 
Life  Qiyuan  (Beijing)  Aged-care  Industry  Investment 
Management  Co.,  Ltd.  (“China  Life  Qiyuan”)  (as  the 
general  partner)  on  27  November  2020  for  the  formation 
of Beijing China Life Aged-care Industry Investment Fund 
(Limited  Partnership).  The  total  initial  capital  amount  of 
the  partnership  shall  be  RMB10,000  million,  of  which 
RMB9,990  million  shall  be  contributed  by  the  Company. 
China  Life  Equity  Investment  Co.,  Ltd.  (“CLEI”)  serves 
as  the  manager  of  the  partnership.  The  partnership  has 
a  term  of  ten  years.  It  will  focus  on  the  investment  in 
the  aged-care  industry,  including  industrial  assets  such 
as  continuing  care  retirement  communities,  boutique 
a p a r t m e n t s   f o r   t h e   a g e d   i n   u r b a n   c o r e   a r e a s   a n d 
community  home  care  services,  as  well  as  the  upstream 
and downstream businesses along the aged-care industry 
chain which are in line with the development direction of 
the industry and permitted by regulatory authorities.

47

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsFormation of Zhongguancun Science City 
Technological Innovation and Space Resources 
Investment Fund (Limited Partnership)

Formation of China Life Qihang Phase I (Tianjin) 
Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited 
Partnership)

As  approved  at  the  twenty-eighth  meeting  of  the  sixth 
session  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company, 
the  Company  and  Beijing  Haidian  State-owned  Assets 
Operation  and  Management  Center  (each  as  a  limited 
partner)  entered  into  a  partnership  agreement  with 
C h i n a   L i f e   P r o p e r t i e s   I n v e s t m e n t   M a n a g e m e n t 
Company  Limited  (“China  Life  Properties”)  and  Beijing 
Zhongguancun  Venture  Street  Technology  Services 
Co.,  Ltd.  (each  as  a  general  partner)  on  31  December 
2 0 2 0  f o r  t h e  f o r m a t i o n  o f  Z h o n g g u a n c u n  S c i e n c e 
City  Technological  Innovation  and  Space  Resources 
Investment  Fund  (Limited  Partnership).  The  total  capital 
contribution  by  all  partners  of  the  partnership  shall  be 
RMB5,002  million,  of  which  RMB4,750  million  shall  be 
contributed  by  the  Company.  China  Life  Capital  serves 
as the manager of the partnership. The partnership has a 
term of eight years. It will primarily focus on education and 
scientific  research,  and  commercial  and  office  properties 
in  Haidian  District,  Beijing  with  clear  and  complete 
titles  and  property  rights  that  meet  the  requirements  of 
investment for insurance funds.

Formation of Guangzhou Xincheng Industry 
Investment Fund Partnership (Limited 
Partnership)

As  approved  at  the  twenty-eighth  meeting  of  the  sixth 
session  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company, 
the  Company,  CLP&C  and  Guangzhou  Xinyue  Industry 
Investment  Partnership  (Limited  Partnership)  (each  as 
a  limited  partner)  entered  into  a  partnership  agreement 
with  Guangzhou  Jinhui  Industry  Investment  Company 
Limited  (“Guangzhou  Jinhui”)  (as  the  general  partner) 
on  9  November  2020  for  the  formation  of  Guangzhou 
Xincheng  Industry  Investment  Fund  Partnership  (Limited 
Partnership).  The  total  capital  contribution  by  all  partners 
of  the  partnership  shall  be  RMB2,000  million,  of  which 
RMB1,500  million  shall  be  contributed  by  the  Company. 
China  Life  Jinshi  Asset  Management  Company  Limited 
(“China  Life  Jinshi”)  serves  as  the  manager  of  the 
partnership. The partnership has a term of six years. It will 
primarily invest in financial assets and related assets in the 
inclusive financing sector.

As  approved  at  the  twenty-ninth  meeting  of  the  sixth 
session  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company, 
the  Company  (as  the  limited  partner)  entered  into  a 
partnership  agreement  with  China  Life  Properties  (as  the 
general  partner)  on  20  November  2020  for  the  formation 
of  China  Life  Qihang  Phase  I  (Tianjin)  Equity  Investment 
Fund  Partnership  (Limited  Partnership).  The  total  capital 
contribution  by  all  partners  of  the  partnership  shall  be 
RMB9,001  million,  of  which  RMB9,000  million  shall  be 
contributed  by  the  Company.  China  Life  Capital  serves 
as the manager of the partnership. The partnership has a 
term of six years. It will focus on equity investment in real 
estate  projects  located  in  first-tier  and  strong  performing 
second-tier  cities  of  the  PRC,  as  well  as  investment  in 
ancillary facilities in compliance with the requirements of 
laws, regulations and regulatory policies.

Each  of  CLIIM,  China  Life  Capital,  China  Life  Qiyuan, 
CLEI,  China  Life  Properties,  CLP&C,  Guangzhou  Jinhui 
and China Life Jinshi is a subsidiary of CLIC, and therefore 
a  connected  person  of  the  Company.  The  transactions 
concerning  the  formation  of  partnership  as  described 
above constituted connected transactions of the Company 
that  were  subject  to  the  reporting  and  announcement 
requirements  but  were  exempt  from  the  independent 
shareholders’ approval requirement under Rule 14A.76(2) 
of the Listing Rules. The connected transaction in relation 
to  the  formation  of  Beijing  China  Life  Aged-care  Industry 
Investment  Fund  (Limited  Partnership)  as  described 
above  was  subject  to  consideration  and  approval  by  the 
shareholders’  general  meeting  of  the  Company  pursuant 
to the SSE Listing Rules.

T h e   C o m p a n y   h a s   c o m p l i e d   w i t h   t h e   d i s c l o s u r e 
requirement  under  Chapter  14A  of  the  Listing  Rules  in 
respect  of  the  connected  transactions  concerning  the 
formation of partnership as described above.

Statement on Claims, Debt Transactions and 
Guarantees etc. of a Non-operating Nature with 
Related Parties

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  was  not 
involved  in  claims,  debt  transactions  or  guarantees  of  a 
non-operating nature with related parties.

48

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsMATERIAL CONTRACTS AND THEIR 
PERFORMANCE

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 
f o r  1 0 %  o r  m o r e  o f  t h e  C o m p a n y ’ s  p r o f i t s  f o r  t h e 
Reporting  Period,  nor  were  there  any  such  matters  that 
occurred  in  previous  periods  but  subsisted  during  the 
Reporting Period.

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

Entrusted  wealth  management  during  the  Reporting 
Period  or  any  wealth  management  occurred  in  previous 
periods  but  subsisted  during  the  Reporting  Period: 
Investment  is  one  of  the  principal  businesses  of  the 
C o m p a n y .   T h e   C o m p a n y   h a s   m a i n l y   a d o p t e d   t h e 
mode  of  entrusted  investment  for  management  of  its 
investment  assets,  and  has  established  a  diversified 
f r a m e w o r k   o f   e n t r u s t e d   i n v e s t m e n t   m a n a g e m e n t 
with  China  Life’s  internal  managers  playing  the  key 
r o l e  a n d  t h e  e x t e r n a l  m a n a g e r s  o f f e r i n g  e f f e c t i v e 
s u p p o r t s .  T h e  i n t e r n a l  m a n a g e r s  i n c l u d e  A M C  a n d 
its  subsidiaries,  CLI  and  its  subsidiaries  and  Pension 
Company. The external managers comprise both domestic 
and  overseas  managers,  including  fund  companies, 
securities  companies  and  other  professional  investment 
management institutions. The Company selected different 
investment  managers  based  on  the  purpose  of  allocation 
of  various  types  of  investments,  their  risk  features  and 
the  expertise  of  different  managers,  so  as  to  establish 
a  great  variety  of  investment  portfolios  and  improve  the 
efficiency of capital utilization. The Company entered into 
entrusted  investment  management  agreements  with  all 
managers and supervised the managers’ daily investment 
performance  through  the  measures  such  as  investment 
g u i d e l i n e s ,   a s s e t   e n t r u s t m e n t   a n d   p e r f o r m a n c e 
appraisals.  The  Company  also  adopted  risk  control 
measures  in  respect  of  specific  investments  based  on 
the  characteristics  of  different  managers  and  investment 
products.

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

UNDERTAKINGS OF THE COMPANY, 
SHAREHOLDERS, EFFECTIVE 
CONTROLLERS, ACQUIRERS, 
DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT OR OTHER RELATED 
PARTIES 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  that  such  formalities  could  not 
be  completed  within  such  period,  CLIC  would  bear  any 
potential  losses  to  the  Company  due  to  the  defective 
ownership.

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 
C o m m i s s i o n  o f  t h e  S t a t e  C o u n c i l  ( “ S A S A C ” ) ,  a n d 
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.

49

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsOTHERS

In order to consistently carry out the relevant arrangements 
under  the  “Notice  of  the  State  Council  on  Issuing  the 
Implementation  Plan  for  Transferring  Part  of  State-
owned  Capital  to  Supplement  Social  Security  Fund” 
(Guo  Fa  [2017]  No.  49),  the  CBIRC  has  approved  the 
one-off  transfer  by  the  Ministy  of  Finance  of  10%  of  its 
equity  interest  in  CLIC  to  the  National  Council  for  Social 
Security  Fund  (the  “SSF”)  (the  “Gratuitous  Transfer”)  in 
accordance  with  the  “Reply  for  the  Approval  of  Change 
of Shareholder of China Life Insurance (Group) Company” 
(CBIRC’s Reply [2020] No. 63). Following completion of the 
Gratuitous  Transfer,  the  Ministry  of  Finance  and  the  SSF 
hold  90%  and  10%  equity  interest  in  CLIC,  respectively. 
CLIC  is  the  controlling  shareholder  of  the  Company,  and 
the  Ministry  of  Finance  is  the  effective  controller  of  the 
Company. The Gratuitous Transfer would not result in any 
change of the controlling shareholder or effective controller 
of  the  Company.  For  further  details,  please  refer  to  the 
announcements published by the Company on the website 
of  the  SSE  (http://www.sse.com.cn)  and  the  HKExnews 
website  of  Hong  Kong  Exchanges  and  Clearing  Limited 
(http://www.hkexnews.hk)  on  15  February  2020  and  14 
February 2020, respectively.

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.

RESTRICTION ON MAJOR ASSETS

The  major  assets  of  the  Company  are  financial  assets. 
During  the  Reporting  Period,  there  was  no  major  asset 
of  the  Company  being  seized,  detained  or  frozen  that  is 
subject to the disclosure requirements.

TARGETED POVERTY ALLEVIATION

F o r  t h e  p e r f o r m a n c e  b y  t h e  C o m p a n y  o f  i t s  s o c i a l 
responsibility  for  poverty  alleviation  during  the  Reporting 
Period, please refer to the special section of the full text of 
the “ESG Report 2020” separately disclosed by the Company 
on the website of the SSE (http://www.sse.com.cn) and the 
HKExnews website of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing 
Limited (http://www.hkexnews.hk).

50

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Significant EventsCORPORATE

GOVERNANCE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Directors of the Company during the Reporting Period and up to the date of this report were as follows:

EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS

Wang Bin (Chairman)
Su Hengxuan
Li Mingguang
Zhao Peng

NON-
EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS

Yuan Changqing
Liu Huimin

Yin Zhaojun

Wang Junhui

INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTORS

Chang Tso Tung StephenNote
Robinson Drake Pike
Tang Xin
Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

(appointed on 20 February 2020 and resigned on 23 April 2020 
due to the adjustment of work arrangements)

(resigned on 7 February 2021 due to the adjustment of work 
arrangements)
(resigned on 15 January 2021 due to the adjustment of work 
arrangements)

Note:  The  Board  of  the  Company  received  a  letter  of  resignation  from  Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen,  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company,  on  19 
October 2020. As Mr. Chang had consecutively served as an Independent Director for six years, he tendered his resignation for such position to the 
Board of the Company pursuant to the relevant regulations. Mr. Lam Chi Kuen has been elected as an Independent Director of the sixth session 
of the Board of the Company at the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 29 June 2020 as the successor of Mr. Chang Tso Tung 
Stephen. The qualification of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen as a Director is subject to the approval of the CBIRC. Since the resignation of Mr. Chang Tso Tung 
Stephen will result in the number of Independent Directors of the Company falling below the minimum number required by the relevant regulations 
and the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen will continue to perform his duties as an Independent Director until 
the qualification of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen is approved by the CBIRC.

51

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From left to right: 
Mr.  Tang  Xin,  Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen,  Mr.  Li  Mingguang,  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan,  Mr.  Wang  Bin,  Mr.  Yuan  Changqing,  Mr.  Wang  Junhui,  
Mr. Robinson Drake Pike, Ms. Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

The  Company  is  a  leading  life  insurance  company  in 
China  and  possesses  an  extensive  distribution  network 
comprising exclusive agents, direct sales representatives, 
and  dedicated  and  non-dedicated  agencies,  providing 
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 
becomes one of the largest insurance asset management 
companies in China through its controlling shareholding in 
AMC.  The  Company  also  has  controlling  shareholding  in 
Pension Company.

BUSINESS REVIEW

Overall operation of the Company during the 
Reporting Period

For details of the overall operation of the Company during 
the  Reporting  Period,  the  future  development  of  its 
business  and  the  principal  risks  faced  by  it,  please  refer 
to  the  sections  headed  “Management  Discussion  and 
Analysis”  and  “Internal  Control  and  Risk  Management” 
in  this  annual  report.  These  discussions  form  part  of  the 
“Report of the Board of Directors”.

Environmental policies and performance of the 
Company

The  Company  vigorously  developed  green  finance  by 
consistently improving its green investment management 

system. With adherence to green operation, the Company 
integrated  the  “low  carbon”  environmental  protection 
concept  into  the  whole  process  of  its  daily  office  work 
and  insurance  operations  and  services  for  the  purpose 
of  facilitating  the  accomplishment  of  “carbon  neutral” 
objective of China.

The Company proactively explored the ways of incorporating 
environmental,  social  and  governance  (“ESG”)  elements 
into its investment business. It proposed in the “Guidelines 
for  the  Authorization  by  China  Life  Insurance  Company 
Limited to China Life Asset Management Company Limited 
for  Investment  Management  (2020)”  to  take  an  active 
role in exploring and putting ESG investment concept into 
practice, and adopted it as a basic principle of the guidelines 
for  investment  management.  In  its  investment  in  “AMC  – 
ESG Select No. 1 Insurance Asset Management Product”, 
the  Company  attached  great  importance  to  its  sustainable 
development  and  performance  of  duties  in  ESG  during 
the  entire  process  of  portfolio  management.  In  2020,  the 
Company  kicked  off  several  green  investment  projects.  In 
particular,  State  Power  Investment  Corporation  Limited 
and  CLIC  entered  into  a  strategic  partnership  cooperation 
agreement  for  the  joint  investment  in  establishing  a  clean 
energy fund. The fund has a total size of RMB8 billion, and 
will be used for the construction of large-scale clean energy 
projects  at  the  national  level,  in  which  the  Company  has 
invested.

52

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceThe Company, as a financial service institution, is always 
committed  to  green  operation  and  carries  out  its  major 
business  activities  in  a  manner  that  does  not  pose 
any  material  adverse  effect  on  eco-environment  and 
natural  resources.  The  Company  keeps  on  reducing  the 
consumption of resources during its operation and pushes 
forward the environmental-friendly mode of production. In 
2020,  the  Company  quickly  expanded  its  digitalized  field 
offices,  with  “Cloud  Desktop”  supporting  online  office 
operation to a maximum of 135,000 person-times daily and 
“Cloud Video” hosting over 2,200 live streaming sessions 
daily  during  the  pandemic.  The  Company  pushed  ahead 
online services in full swing by encouraging customers to 
opt for electronic invoices, reducing the number of paper 
invoices  in  an  effective  manner.  Paperless  insurance 
application rate of long-term individual insurance reached 
99.9%, which resulted in saving approximately 365.6 tons 
of paper, and the promotion of paperless application rate 
of group insurance reached 97.9%. More than 100 million 
cases were processed through online paperless insurance 
policy  services,  which  helped  save  approximately  800 
tons  of  paper.  In  addition,  the  Company  proactively  put 
into practice green procurement, and clearly specified its 
requirements  for  the  management  of  ESG  supply  chains 
in  its  “Measures  for  the  ESG  and  Social  Responsibility 
Management  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited 
(for  trial  implementation)”,  and  achieved  the  green 
management  of  supply  chains,  thus  giving  support  to 
China  in  its  pursue  of  green  development  and  ecological 
civilization.

Compliance by the Company with the relevant 
laws and regulations that have a significant 
impact

The  Company  adhered  to  the  code  of  conduct  of  “being 
trustworthy,  assuming  risks,  emphasizing  on  services 
and being legal compliant” and promoted the compliance 
culture  and  concepts  of  “being  compliant  on  a  voluntary 
basis,  and  creating  value  from  compliance”,  thereby 
c r e a t i n g  t h e  c o m p l i a n c e  e n v i r o n m e n t  o f  “ s t a r t i n g 
from  the  top  level  and  having  responsibility  for  all  to 
be  compliant”.  The  Company  strictly  observed  and 
effectively  implemented  applicable  laws  and  regulations 
and regulatory requirements, such as the Insurance Law, 
the  Company  Law,  the  Securities  Law,  the  “Regulations 
f o r   t h e   A d m i n i s t r a t i o n   o f   I n s u r a n c e   C o m p a n i e s ” , 
the  “Provisions  of  the  China  Banking  and  Insurance 

Regulatory  Commission  on  Administrative  Licensing 
Procedures”,  the  “Measures  of  the  China  Banking  and 
Insurance  Regulatory  Commission  on  Administrative 
Punishment”,  the  “Provisions  on  the  Supervision  and 
Administration  of  Insurance  Agents”,  the  “Measures 
for  Oversight  of  Online  Insurance  Business”,  and  the 
“ M e a s u r e s  f o r  t h e  A d m i n i s t r a t i o n  o f  t h e  H a n d l i n g 
o f  B a n k i n g  a n d  I n s u r a n c e  C o n s u m e r  C o m p l a i n t s ” , 
consistently  made  improvement  to  its  systems  and 
mechanism, and implemented the spirit and requirements 
of  major  regulatory  documents  on  product  development 
and  design,  sales  management,  investment  supervision 
and corporate governance, etc., as released by the CBIRC 
in  a  stringent  manner  for  the  purpose  of  further  carrying 
out  compliance  management  responsibilities  at  all  levels 
and  in  various  lines.  The  Company  consistently  improved 
the  compliance  management  framework  of  “three  lines 
of  defense”  to  ensure  that  the  three  lines  of  defense 
performed  their  own  functions  and  collaborated  with 
each  other,  which  formed  a  joint  force  in  compliance 
m a n a g e m e n t .   T h e   C o m p a n y   a l s o   c o n s o l i d a t e d   i t s 
foundation  in  all  aspects  for  its  steady  and  healthy 
development  and  firmly  defended  the  bottom  line  of  the 
systematic  risk,  which  guaranteed  the  healthy  and  high-
quality development of the Company on an ongoing basis.

Relationship between the Company and its 
customers

Adhering  to  the  customer-oriented  approach  firmly,  the 
Company is committed to offering high-quality services to 
its  customers,  and  has  provided  insurance  services  and 
value-added services for more than 500 million customers.

The  Company  reinforced  the  protection  of  consumers’ 
legitimate  rights  and  interests,  fostered  sound  corporate 
governance, clearly defined the duties and responsibilities 
of various parties, promoted the establishment of systems 
and  mechanisms,  constantly  promoted  the  rights  and 
interests of insurance consumers and made notice on risk 
alerts.

Please  also  refer  to  the  “Technology  Empowerment 
and  Operations  and  Services”  in  the  section  headed 
“Management  Discussion  and  Analysis”  in  this  annual 
report  and  Part  4  of  the  “ESG  Report  2020”  separately 
disclosed by the Company.

53

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceRelationship between the Company and its 
employees

The  Company  created  a  harmonious  labour  relationship 
according  to  law  and  entered  into  employment  contracts 
with  its  employees  in  a  timely  manner.  The  Company 
strengthened the management of employees in all aspects 
by  establishing  the  following  mechanisms:  an  employee 
team management mechanism with the characteristics of 
focus on basic level, combination of training and utilization 
of  employees,  hierarchical  responsibility  and  unified 
regulation;  a  performance  management  mechanism  that 
is  strategy-based  and  result-oriented,  adopts  hierarchical 
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ,   a n d   f o c u s e s   o n   a p p l i c a t i o n ;   a n d   a 
remuneration distribution mechanism that is based on the 
principles  of  salary  determined  by  position,  remuneration 
paid  based  on  performance,  emphasis  on  incentives  and 
preference  to  the  local  level,  and  is  compatible  with  the 
high-quality  development  requirements  of  the  Company. 
T h e  C o m p a n y  a l s o  e m p h a s i z e d  o n  t h e  g r o w t h  a n d 
cultivation  of  employees  by  stepping  up  its  effort  on  the 
development  of  training  system  for  employees,  pursued 
innovation for development to apply education and training 
in  the  entire  process  of  growth  of  cadre  employees,  and 
continued  to  focus  on  empowerment.  The  Company 
attached importance to humanistic concern by constantly 
i m p r o v i n g  t h e  m e c h a n i s m  f o r  c o m m u n i c a t i o n  w i t h 
employees, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interest 
of  employees  in  a  practical  manner  and  encouraging 
employees  to  arrange  vacations  and  annual  leave  in  a 
scientific way, with an aim to achieve work-life balance.

The  Company  actively  promoted  the  construction  of  a 
corporate democratic management system with employee 
representative  meetings  as  its  basic  form  to  protect  the 
democratic  rights  of  employees  and  to  facilitate  the  joint 
development between employees and the Company. The 
Company and its provincial branches have fully established 
t h e  s y s t e m  o f  e m p l o y e e  r e p r e s e n t a t i v e  m e e t i n g s , 
safeguarded  the  right  to  know,  right  to  propose,  right  to 
decide  and  right  to  vote  at  such  meetings  according  to 
law,  and  inspected  and  monitored  the  implementation 
of  any  resolutions  adopted  by  employee  representative 
meetings,  thus  carrying  out  the  function  of  supervising 
the  implementation  of  proposals  in  a  serious  manner 
and  constantly  improving  democratic  management.  In 
2020,  the  Company  held  three  extraordinary  employee 
representative  meetings,  during  which  the  “Provisions 
of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited  on  Handling 
Employees  with  Violations  (2020  Revision)”,  the  “Notice 
on  Relevant  Issues  Concerning  the  Implementation  of 
the  ‘Provisions  on  Handling  Employees  with  Violations 

(2020 Revision)’”, the “Measures for the Administration of 
Employees of Branches of China Life Insurance Company 
Limited”,  and  the  “Measures  for  the  Administration 
of  Performance  of  Employees  of  Branch  (Sub-Branch) 
Offices  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company  Limited”  were 
considered and approved.

For details regarding the Company’s employees (including 
the  number  of  employees,  composition  of  professionals, 
educational  levels,  remuneration  policy  and  training 
program),  please  refer  to  the  section  headed  “Directors, 
Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees” in this 
annual report.

FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
PROFIT DISTRIBUTION POLICY

In accordance with Article 217 of the Articles 
of Association, the basic principles of the 
Company’s profit distribution are as follows:

1.  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; 

2.  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.

In accordance with Article 218 of the Articles of 
Association, the Company’s profit distribution 
policy is as follows:

1.  P r o f i t   d i s t r i b u t i o n   m o d e s :   T h e   C o m p a n y   m a y 
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  where  the  Company  fails  to  distribute 
the  dividends  to  the  shareholders  on  the  day  when 
dividends were due to have been distributed;

2.  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 in recent three years;

54

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance3.  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.

In  addition,  the  Company’s  profit  distribution  is  required 
to  comply  with  relevant  regulatory  requirements.  If 
the  Company’s  core  solvency  ratio  or  comprehensive 
solvency ratio does not meet the minimum requirements, 
the  CBIRC  may  adopt  regulatory  measures  against 
the  Company  due  to  its  failure  to  meet  the  minimum 
requirements, which may restrict the Company’s ability to 
distribute dividends to its shareholders.

In accordance with Article 219 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 
r e v i e w e d  b y  t h e  B o a r d  o f  D i r e c t o r s .  T h e  B o a r d  o f 
D i r e c t o r s  s h a l l  h a v e  a  s u f f i c i e n t  d i s c u s s i o n  o f  t h e 
reasonableness of the profit distribution proposal. After a 
special  resolution  regarding  the  proposal  is  reached  and 
independent opinions have been given by the Company’s 
Independent Directors, 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 investors, and give timely reply to concerns 
of small- and medium-sized investors.

Profit distribution plan and public reserves 
capitalization plan

Profit distribution plan or public reserves capitalization 
plan for the year of 2020

In accordance with the profit distribution plan for the year 
2020 approved by the Board on 25 March 2021, with the 
appropriation  to  its  discretionary  surplus  reserve  fund 
of  RMB5,009  million  (10%  of  the  net  profit  for  2020), 
the  Company,  based  on  28,264,705,000  shares  in  issue, 
proposed  to  distribute  cash  dividends  amounting  to 
RMB18,089  million  to  all  shareholders  of  the  Company 
at  RMB0.64  per  share  (inclusive  of  tax).  The  foregoing 
profit  distribution  plan  is  subject  to  the  approval  by  the 
2020 Annual General Meeting to be held on 30 June 2021 
(Wednesday). 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  the  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  Company  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 
s u f f i c i e n t  o p p o r t u n i t i e s  t o  e x p r e s s  t h e i r  o p i n i o n s 
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.

55

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceThe dividend distribution of the Company for the recent 3 years is as follows:

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

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

6.4
7.3
1.6

–
–
–

Amount of 
cash 
dividends 
(including 
tax)

18,089
20,633
4,522

Number of 
bonus 
stocks per 
ten shares 
(shares)

–
–
–

Year in which 
dividends were 
distributed

2020
2019
2018

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

50,268
58,287
11,395

RMB million

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

36%
35%
40%

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The  changes  in  accounting  estimates  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.

RESERVES

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

CHARITABLE DONATIONS

The  total  amount  of  charitable  donations  made  by  the 
Company  during  the  Reporting  Period  was  approximately 
RMB337.31 million.

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.

SHARE CAPITAL

Details of the movement in share capital of the Company 
are  set  out  in  Note  36  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 
d i v i d e n d   i n c o m e   r e c e i v e d   f r o m   t h e   C o m p a n y   i n 
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  10  July 
2020  for  the  information  on  income  tax  in  respect  of  the 
dividend  distributed  to  A  Share  shareholders  during  the 
Reporting  Period,  and  the  announcement  published  by 
the  Company  on  the  HKExnews  website  of  Hong  Kong 
Exchanges  and  Clearing  Limited  on  29  June  2020  for 
the  information  on  income  tax  in  respect  of  the  dividend 
distributed  to  H  Share  shareholders  during  the  Reporting 
Period.

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.

H SHARE STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

No H Share stock appreciation rights of the Company were 
granted or exercised in 2020. The Company will deal with 
such  rights  and  related  matters  in  accordance  with  the 
PRC governmental policies.

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  “Report  of  Corporate  Governance”  in  this 
annual report.

DIRECTORS’ AND SUPERVISORS’ SERVICE 
CONTRACTS

N o n e  o f  t h e  D i r e c t o r s  o r  S u p e r v i s o r s  h a s  e n t e r e d 
into  any  service  contracts  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).

56

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISORS 
(AND THEIR CONNECTED ENTITIES) IN 
MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS, ARRANGEMENTS 
OR CONTRACTS

None of the Directors or Supervisors (and their connected 
entities)  is  or  was  materially  interested,  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  any  transaction,  arrangement  or  contract  of 
significance entered into by the Company or its controlling 
shareholders or any of their respective subsidiaries at any 
time during the Reporting Period or subsisted at the end of 
the Reporting Period.

DIRECTORS’ AND SUPERVISORS’ RIGHTS TO 
ACQUIRE SHARES

No  arrangements  to  which  the  Company,  any  of  its 
subsidiaries  or  holding  companies,  or  any  subsidiary 
of  the  Company’s  holding  companies  is  a  party,  and 
whose objects are, or one of whose objects is, to enable 
Directors  or  Supervisors  (including  their  spouses  and 
children  under  the  age  of  18)  to  acquire  benefits  by 
means  of  the  acquisition  of  shares  in,  or  debentures  of, 
the  Company  or  any  other  body  corporate,  subsisted  at 
any time during the Reporting Period or at the end of the 
Reporting Period.

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 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  compliance  with  the  Model 
Code  and  the  Company’s  own  code  of  conduct  in  the 
year 2020.

PERMITTED INDEMNITY PROVISION

The  Company  made  appropriate  insurance  arrangement 
with  respect  to  legal  actions  that  might  be  faced  by  its 
Directors in connection with corporate activities, and such 
insurance arrangement was in force during the Reporting 
Period and up to the date of this report.

PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS AND ARRANGEMENTS 
FOR 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.

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.

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.

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 flows 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.

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 2020.

57

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMAJOR CUSTOMERS

In  2020,  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. There is no related party of the Company among the 
five largest customers.

SUFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC FLOAT

B a s e d  o n  t h e  i n f o r m a t i o n  p u b l i c l y  a v a i l a b l e  t o  t h e 
Company and within the knowledge of the Directors as at 
the Latest Practicable Date (25 March 2021), 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.

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.

AUDITORS

A  resolution  was  passed  at  the  2019  Annual  General 
Meeting  to  engage  Ernst  &  Young  Hua  Ming  LLP  as  the 
PRC  auditor  and  the  auditor  for  US  Form  20-F  of  the 
Company  for  the  year  2020,  and  Ernst  &  Young  as  the 
Hong Kong auditor of the Company for the year 2020, who 
will  hold  office  until  the  conclusion  of  the  2020  Annual 
General Meeting. Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP and Ernst 
& Young have been serving as the Company’s auditors for 
eight consecutive years.

Remuneration  paid  by  the  Company  to  the  auditors  is 
subject  to  the  approval  at  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 the Company to the auditors in 2020 
was as follows:

Service/Nature

Audit, review and agreed-up 

procedures fee
Including: Internal control audit fee
Non-audit services fee (tax services 

and consultation services)

Total

RMB million

Fees 

62.64
11.36

3.49

66.13

The Company is actively carrying out the selection process 
for  appointment  of  auditors  for  2021.  For  details  of  any 
further information, investors are advised to pay attention 
to the announcements to be published by the Company in 
jurisdictions where its shares are listed.

By Order of the Board
Wang Bin
Chairman

Beijing, China
25 March 2021

58

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF 
SUPERVISORS

P u r s u a n t  t o  t h e  C o m p a n y  L a w  a n d  t h e  A r t i c l e s  o f 
Association,  the  Company  has  established  a  Board  of 
Supervisors.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  performs  the 
following duties in accordance with the Company Law, the 
Articles  of  Association  and  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  the 
Board of Supervisors 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 the Board; 
to  propose  the  convening  of  extraordinary  shareholders’ 
general meetings, to propose resolutions at shareholders’ 
g e n e r a l  m e e t i n g s  a n d  t o  p e r f o r m  a n y  o t h e r  d u t i e s 
under  the  laws,  regulations  and  regulatory  rules  of  the 
Company’s listed jurisdictions.

The  Board  of  Supervisors  consists  of  Non-employee 
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e   S u p e r v i s o r s ,   s u c h   a s   s h a r e h o l d e r 
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ,   a n d   E m p l o y e e   R e p r e s e n t a t i v e 
Supervisors,  of  which  the  Employee  Representative 
Supervisors shall not be less than one-third of the Board of 
Supervisors.  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.

T h e   B o a r d   o f   S u p e r v i s o r s   i s   a c c o u n t a b l e   t o   t h e 
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. during the Reporting Period.

From left to right: 
Ms. Wang Xiaoqing, Mr. Cao Qingyang, Mr. Jia Yuzeng, Mr. Han Bing

59

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceAttendance  records  of  the  resigned  Supervisors  at  the 
meetings of the Board of Supervisors are as follows:

Number of 
meetings attended 
in person/number 
of meetings 
required to attend

Number of 
meetings attended 
by proxies/number 
of meetings 
required to attend

0/0
2/2

–
0/2

Name of Supervisor

Song Ping
Luo Zhaohui

Note:  The  number  of  meetings  attended  in  person  includes  meetings 
attended  by  the  Supervisors  on-site  and  by  way  of  telephone  or 
video conference.

ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Attending  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
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  the  Board  of  Supervisors’ 
Meetings”  of  the  Company,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
work arrangement of the Board of Supervisors, the Board 
of  Supervisors  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,  etc.  In 
2020,  the  sixth  session  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held 
five meetings in total, 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.

Meetings  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  are  convened  by 
the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  According  to 
the  Articles  of  Association,  the  Company  formulated  the 
“Procedural Rules for the Board of Supervisors Meetings” 
and  established  protocols  for  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
meetings. Board of Supervisors 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  periodic  reports,  and  examine  the 
financial  condition  and  internal  control  of  the  Company. 
Ad-hoc meetings are convened when necessary.

Currently,  the  sixth  session  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  the  Company  comprises  Mr.  Jia  Yuzeng,  Mr.  Han 
Bing,  Mr.  Cao  Qingyang  and  Ms.  Wang  Xiaoqing,  with 
Mr.  Jia  Yuzeng  acting  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors.  Mr.  Jia  Yuzeng  and  Mr.  Han  Bing  are 
Non-employee  Representative  Supervisors,  whereas 
Mr. Cao Qingyang and Ms. Wang Xiaoqing are Employee 
Representative  Supervisors.  In  January  2020,  Mr.  Song 
Ping  resigned  from  his  position  as  a  Supervisor  of  the 
Company due to the adjustment of work arrangements. In 
July 2020, Mr. Luo Zhaohui resigned from his position as a 
Supervisor of the Company due to the adjustment of work 
arrangements.

MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE

During  the  Reporting  Period,  five  meetings  were  held  by 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Company.  Attendance 
records of individual Supervisors are as follows:

Number of
meetings attended
in person/number
of meetings
required to attend

Number of 
meetings attended
by proxies/number 
of meetings 
required to attend

5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5

0/5
0/5
0/5
0/5

Name of Supervisor

Jia Yuzeng
Han Bing
Cao Qingyang
Wang Xiaoqing

60

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A c t i v e l y  c o n d u c t i n g  r e s e a r c h  a n d  i n v e s t i g a t i o n 
activities,  examining  and  understanding  the  business 
operations  of  local  branches.  In  consideration  of  the 
Covid-19  pandemic  prevention  and  control,  the  members 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  conducted  investigation 
a n d  r e s e a r c h  t h r o u g h  a  c o m b i n a t i o n  o f  o n l i n e  a n d 
offline  methods.  Through  the  investigation  and  research 
activities,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  comprehended  the 
corporate business development of local branches in great 
depth, examined the effectiveness of the implementation 
by  local  branches  of  decisions  made  by  the  Board  and 
the management as well as the establishment of the risk 
prevention  and  control  mechanism,  discussed  matters 
in  relation  to  the  optimization  of  the  risk  prevention 
and  control  mechanism,  the  implementation  of  the 
“Dingxin  Project”  and  the  promotion  of  the  high-quality 
development  of  the  Company’s  businesses,  and  fully 
listened  to  the  opinions  and  advices  given  by  local 
branches.

Attending  training  courses  and  constantly  enhancing 
performance  of  duties  by  the  Supervisors.  In  2020, 
all  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  attended  the 
training  programs  on  anti-money  laundering.  Mr.  Jia 
Yuzheng,  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
attended  a  series  of  online  training  courses  for  the 
chairmen of the board of supervisors of listed companies 
in  2020  organized  by  the  China  Association  for  Public 
Companies.

Attending  and  participating  in  corporate  governance 
meetings  and  actively  exercising  their  supervisory 
role.  In  2020,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  attended  the 
First  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  2020  and  the  2019 
Annual General Meeting of the Company, and participated 
in  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Board.  All  members  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  participated  in  the  regular 
meetings  of  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Nomination  and 
Remuneration  Committee,  the  Risk  Management  and 
Consumer Rights Protection Committee, the Strategy and 
Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee,  and  the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee, respectively, 
in accordance with the work allocation among Supervisors 
determined  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  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.

Supervising the performance of duties by the Board and 
senior  management  in  reputation  risk  management. 
Members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  received  an  annual 
reputation risk management report prepared by the senior 
management  through  participation  in  the  meetings  of  the 
Board  and  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights 
Protection Committee, so as to supervise the performance 
of duties by the Board in reputation risk management.

Supervising and evaluating the performance of duties 
by  Directors. The  Company  commenced  an  evaluation 
of  the  performance  of  duties  by  Directors  in  accordance 
with  the  requirements  such  as  the  “Measures  for  the 
Administration  of  Independent  Directors  of  Insurance 
Institutions”  issued  by  the  CBIRC  and  the  “Operational 
Guidance  for  Evaluating  the  Performance  of  Duties 
by  Directors  of  Insurance  Companies”  issued  by  the 
Insurance  Association  of  China  and  after  taking  into 
account  the  “Provisional  Measures  for  Evaluating  the 
Performance  of  Duties  by  Directors”  of  the  Company. 
Based on the performance of duties by Directors in 2020 
and by reference to the information obtained during their 
participation of meetings of the Board and various special 
committees,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
evaluated  and  scored  the  Directors  of  the  Company  and 
formed  evaluation  opinions  on  them,  which  therefore 
i m p r o v e d  t h e  m e c h a n i s m  f o r  t h e  s u p e r v i s i o n  a n d 
evaluation of duty performance of Directors.

61

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceINDEPENDENT OPINION OF THE BOARD OF 
SUPERVISORS ON CERTAIN MATTERS

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
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  the  Board  of  Supervisors’ 
Meetings”. The Board of Supervisors had no objection in 
respect  of  the  matters  under  its  supervision  during  the 
Reporting Period.

The  Company’s  operational  compliance  with  the  law. 
During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company’s  operations 
w e r e  i n  c o m p l i a n c e  w i t h  t h e  l a w .  T h e  C o m p a n y ’ 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 
Board  of  Supervisors  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  reflected  the  Company’s 
financial  position  and  operating  results.  Ernst  &  Young 
Hua Ming LLP and Ernst & Young have performed audits 
and have issued standard and unqualified auditors’ reports 
in  respect  of  the  financial  statements  for  the  year  2020 
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  by 
the  Company  were  fair  and  reasonable.  The  Board  of 
Supervisors  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 Board of Supervisors 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  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Company 
reviewed  the  self-evaluation  report  on  the  Company’s 
internal  control  system  and  did  not  raise  any  objection 
against  the  self-evaluation  report  of  the  Board  regarding 
the Company’s internal control system.

By Order of the Board of Supervisors
Jia Yuzeng
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors

Beijing, China
25 March 2021

62

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceCHANGES IN ORDINARY SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS INFORMATION

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.

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.

INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS AND EFFECTIVE CONTROLLER

Total number of shareholders and their shareholdings

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

No. of A Share shareholders:
167,218
No. of H Share shareholders: 
26,202

Total number of ordinary 
share  shareholders  as 
at  the  end  of  the  month  
prior to the disclosure of 
the annual report

No. of A Share shareholders: 
176,351
No. of H Share shareholders: 
26,014

Particulars of top ten shareholders of the Company

Name of shareholder

Nature of shareholder

Percentage of 
shareholding

Number of shares 
held as at the
end of the
Reporting Period

Increase/decrease 
during the 
Reporting Period

Number of shares 
subject to selling 
restrictions

Number of shares 
pledged or frozen

Unit: Shares

China Life Insurance (Group) Company

State-owned legal person

68.37%

19,323,530,000

–

HKSCC Nominees Limited

Overseas legal person

25.92%

7,327,335,246

+3,644,543

China Securities Finance Corporation Limited

State-owned legal person

Central Huijin Asset Management Limited

State-owned legal person

Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited

Overseas legal person

Ping An Life Insurance Company of China, Ltd. 

– Proprietary Fund

China Universal Asset Management Co., Ltd 

– Industrial and Commercial Bank 

of China Limited – China Universal 
– Tianfu Bull No. 53 Asset Management Plan

Other

Other

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited
– SSE 50 Exchange Traded Index Securities 

Other

Investment Fund

2.56%

0.42%

0.17%

723,937,634

119,719,900

–

–

48,421,705

-6,228,459

0.10%

27,456,051

+27,456,051

0.05%

15,015,845

–

0.04%

12,397,276

-408,847

China International Television Corporation

State-owned legal person

China National Nuclear Corporation

State-owned legal person

0.04%

0.03%

10,000,000

–

8,950,800

-3,449,200

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

63

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Universal Asset Management Co., Ltd – Industrial and Commercial Bank 
of  China  Limited  –  China  Universal  –  Tianfu  Bull  No.  53  Asset  Management 
Plan has Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited as its asset trustee. 
Industrial  and  Commercial  Bank  of  China  Limited  -  SSE  50  Exchange  Traded 
Index Securities Investment Fund has Industrial and Commercial Bank of China 
Limited as its fund depositary. Save as above, 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.

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

Wang Bin

Date of incorporation

Major businesses

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 
former China Insurance Regulatory Commission in 2003, China Life Insurance Company 
was restructured as CLIC)

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  application  business 
permitted  by  national  laws  and  regulations  or  approved  by  the  State  Council  of  PRC; 
other businesses approved by banking and insurance regulatory agencies.

As  at  31  December  2020,  CLIC  held  1,785,098,644  H  shares  of  Town  Health 
International Medical Group Limited, representing 23.72% of its total shares.

64

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  effective  controller  of  the  Company  is  the  Ministry  of  Finance  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China.  The  equity  and 
controlling relationship4 between the Company and its effective controller is set out below:

Ministry of Finance  
of the PRC

National Council for Social  
Security Fund

90%

10%

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.

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 
2020,  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 the HKSE:

Name of substantial
shareholder

Capacity

Class of 
shares

Number of 
shares held

Percentage of the 
respective class 
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)

Interest in controlled 
corporation

H Shares

516,306,981 (L) 
403,000 (S)

6.94%
0.01%

1.83%
0.00%

The letter “L” denotes a long position. The letter “S” denotes a short position.

4 

In order to consistently carry out the relevant arrangements under the “Notice of the State Council on Issuing the Implementation Plan for Transferring 
Part of State-owned Capital to Supplement Social Security Fund” (Guo Fa [2017] No. 49), the CBIRC has approved the one-off transfer by the Ministy of 
Finance of 10% of its equity interest in CLIC to the SSF in accordance with the “Reply for the Approval of Change of Shareholder of China Life Insurance 
(Group) Company” (CBIRC’s Reply [2020] No. 63). Following the completion of the Gratuitous Transfer, the Ministry of Finance and the SSF hold 90% 
and 10% equity interest in CLIC, respectively. 

65

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Note): 

BlackRock, Inc. was interested in a total of 516,306,981 H shares of the Company 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, National 
Association,  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)  Limited,  BlackRock  Asset  Management  Deutschland  AG,  BlackRock  Fund  Managers  Limited, 
BlackRock  Life  Limited,  BlackRock  (Singapore)  Limited,  BlackRock  Asset  Management  (Schweiz)  AG  and  BlackRock  Mexico  Operadora  were 
interested in 4,595,645 H shares, 9,383,000 H shares, 125,661,588 H shares, 174,993,000 H shares, 873,000 H shares, 47,928,096 H shares, 
1,109,000 H shares, 3,975,000 H shares, 23,100,787 H shares, 966,000 H shares, 2,164,000 H shares, 1,440,000 H shares, 51,806,211 H shares, 
3,407,000 H shares, 32,814,923 H shares, 494,000 H shares, 20,600,488 H shares, 8,948,828 H shares, 1,530,000 H shares, 77,660 H shares 
and  438,755  H  shares,  respectively.  All  of  these  entities  are  either  controlled  or  indirectly  controlled  subsidiaries  of  BlackRock,  Inc.  Of  these 
516,306,981 H shares, 3,152,000 H shares were cash settled unlisted derivatives.

BlackRock, Inc. held by way of attribution a short position as defined under Part XV of the SFO in 403,000 H shares (0.01%). These 403,000 H 
shares were cash settled unlisted derivatives.

Save as disclosed above, the Directors, Supervisors and the chief executive of the Company are not aware of any other 
party who, as at 31 December 2020, had an interest or short position in the shares and underlying shares of the Company 
which was recorded in the register required to be kept by the Company pursuant to Section 336 of the SFO.

66

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceDIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

CURRENT DIRECTORS

Name

Position

Gender

Date of Birth

Term

Number
of shares
held at the 
beginning
of the year

Number of 
shares held 
at the end
of the year

Reason for 
changes

Salary/
Remuneration 
paid in RMB 
ten thousands

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

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

Whether 
received 
emolument 
from 
connected 
parties of 
the Company

Wang Bin

Su Hengxuan

Li Mingguang

Chairman of the Board, 
Executive Director

Executive Director

Executive Director

Yuan Changqing

Non-executive Director

Wang Junhui

Non-executive Director

Chang Tso Tung Stephen

Independent Director

Robinson Drake Pike

Independent Director

Tang Xin

Independent Director

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

November 1958

Since 3 December 2018

February 1963

Since 20 December 2018

July 1969

Since 16 August 2019

September 1961

Since 11 February 2018

July 1971

Since 16 August 2019

November 1948

Since 20 October 2014

October 1951

Since 11 July 2015

September 1971

Since 7 March 2016

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Independent Director

Female

April 1939

Since 20 July 2016

Total

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

0

0

0

125.30

22.60

147.90

0

0

32.00

32.00

32.00

30.00

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

32.00

32.00

32.00

30.00

251.30

22.60

273.90

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

/

Notes:

1.  According to the “Procedural Rules for the Board 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.  According  to  the  requirements  of  the  relevant  remuneration  policies  of  the  Company,  the  final  amount  of  emoluments  of  the  Executive  Directors  is 

currently subject to review and approval. The result of the review will be disclosed when the final amount is confirmed.

4.  The Board of the Company received a letter of resignation from Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen, an Independent Director of the Company, on 19 October 
2020. As Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen had consecutively served as an Independent Director for six years, he tendered his resignation for such position 
to the Board of the Company pursuant to the relevant regulations. Mr. Lam Chi Kuen has been elected as an Independent Director of the sixth session of 
the Board of the Company at the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 29 June 2020 as the successor of Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen. 
The qualification of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen as a Director is subject to the approval of the CBIRC. Since the resignation of Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen will 
result in the number of Independent Directors on the Board falling below the minimum number required by the relevant regulations and the Articles of 
Association, Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen will continue to perform his duties as an Independent Director until the qualification of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen is 
approved by the CBIRC.

67

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT SUPERVISORS

Name

Position

Gender

Date of Birth

Term

Number 
of shares 
held at the 
beginning 
of the year

Number of 
shares held 
at the end 
of the year

Reason for 
changes

Salary/
Remuneration 
paid in RMB 
ten thousands

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

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

Whether 
received 
emolument 
from connected 
parties of 
the Company

Jia Yuzeng

Han Bing

Cao Qingyang

Wang Xiaoqing

Chairman of the Board of 

Supervisors

Supervisor

Employee Representative 

Supervisor

Employee Representative 

Supervisor

Male

Male

Male

June 1962

Since 11 July 2018

November 1971

Since 12 July 2019

May 1963

Since 12 July 2019

Female

October 1965

Since 27 December 2019

Total

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

143.20

50.55

59.36

51.84

22.55

33.70

33.55

32.25

165.75

84.25

92.91

84.09

304.95

122.05

427.00

No

No

No

No

/

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.  According to the requirements of the relevant remuneration policies of the Company, the final amount of emoluments of the Chairman of the Board 
of  Supervisors  and  the  Supervisors  is  currently  subject  to  review  and  approval.  The  result  of  the  review  will  be  disclosed  when  the  final  amount  is 
confirmed.

68

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Name

Position

Gender

Date of Birth

Term

Su Hengxuan

President

Male

February 1963

Since April 2019

Li Mingguang

Huang Xiumei

Ruan Qi

Zhan Zhong

Yang Hong

Zhao Guodong

Xu Chongmiao

Vice President 
Chief Actuary 
Board Secretary

Vice President  
Person in Charge of Finance

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Assistant to the President

Compliance Officer

Yang Chuanyong

Person in Charge of Audit

Total

/

Notes:

Male

July 1969

Appointed as Vice President 
since November 2014, 
Chief Actuary since March 
2012, Board Secretary  
since June 2017

Female

June 1967

Since May 2020

Male

Male

July 1966

April 1968

Since April 2018

Since July 2019

Female

February 1967

Since July 2019

Male

Male

Male

/

November 1967

Since October 2019

October 1969

Since July 2018

March 1963

Since December 2020

/

/

Number
of share 
held at the 
beginning 
of the year

Number of 
share held 
at the end 
of the year

Reason for 
changes

Salary/
Remuneration 
paid in RMB
ten thousands

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

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

Whether 
received 
emolument 
from connected 
parties of 
the Company

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

Yes

125.30

22.60

147.90

95.47

125.30

143.20

125.30

65.00

52.75

4.84

737.16

15.17

22.22

22.53

22.56

22.44

34.24

3.10

164.86

110.64

147.52

165.73

147.86

87.44

86.99

7.94

902.02

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

/

1.  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.

2.  According to the requirements of the relevant remuneration policies of the Company, the final amount of emoluments of the Senior Management is 

currently subject to review and approval. The result of the review will be disclosed when the final amount is confirmed.

3.  As considered by the twenty-fifth meeting of the sixth session of the Board of Directors of the Company and upon approval by the CBIRC Beijing Bureau, 
Ms. Huang Xiumei served as the Person in Charge of Finance of the Company since 20 May 2020. As considered by the eighteenth meeting of the sixth 
session of the Board of Directors of the Company and upon approval by the CBIRC Beijing Bureau, Mr.Yang Chuanyong served as the Person in Charge 
of Audit of the Company since 25 December 2020.

69

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Name

Previous Position

Gender

Date of Birth

Term

Zhao Peng

Executive Director 
Vice President

Male

April 1972

Yin Zhaojun

Non-executive 
Director

Male

July 1965

Liu Huimin

Non-executive 
Director

Male

June 1965

Luo Zhaohui

Supervisor

Male

March 1974

Song Ping

Employee 

Representative 
Supervisor

Male

June 1964

20 February 2020 – 
23 April 2020

March 2018 – May 2020

31 July 2017 –  
15 January 2021

31 July 2017 –  
7 February 2021

11 February 2018 –  
22 July 2020

15 March 2018 –  
3 January 2020

Total

/

/

/

/

Notes:

Number 
of share 
held at the 
beginning 
of the year

Number of 
share held 
at the end 
of the year

Reason for 
changes

Salary/
Remuneration 
paid in RMB 
ten thousands

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)

Whether 
received 
emolument 
from connected 
parties of 
the Company

Reason for changes

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

/

/

/

/

/

/

0

0

0

0

4.21

4.21

0

0

0

0

2.87

2.87

0

0

0

0

7.08

7.08

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Resigned due to the 
adjustment of work 
arrangements

Resigned due to the 
adjustment of work 
arrangements

Resigned due to the 
adjustment of work 
arrangements

Resigned due to the 
adjustment of work 
arrangements

Resigned due to the 
adjustment of work 
arrangements

/

/

1.  This table sets out the information of Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management who resigned or retired during the period from the beginning of 

the Reporting Period to the submission date of this annual report.

2.  The  emoluments  are  calculated  based  on  the  terms  of  office  of  the  resigned  and  retired  Directors,  Supervisors  and  Senior  Management  during  the 

Reporting Period.

3.  According  to  the  requirements  of  the  relevant  remuneration  policies  of  the  Company,  the  final  amount  of  emoluments  of  the  Executive  Directors, 
Supervisors and Senior Management is currently subject to review and approval. The result of the review will be disclosed when the final amount is 
confirmed.

70

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS

Mr. Wang Bin, born in 1958, Chinese

Mr. Wang became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company in December 
2018.  He  is  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Secretary  to  the  Party 
Committee  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company,  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  and  a  Director  and  the 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  China  Guangfa  Bank  Co.,  Ltd.  Mr.  Wang  has 
successively been employed by government authorities and financial institutions, with 
nearly 30 years of experience in financial management. He worked at the People’s Bank 
of China, participating in the preparation and establishment of Agricultural Development 
Bank  of  China  as  an  important  member.  Mr.  Wang  served  as  the  President  of  Jiangxi 
Branch of Agricultural Development Bank of China, Tianjin Branch and Beijing Branch of 
the Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. (the “Bank of Communications”). He served as 
the Vice President of the Bank of Communications from 2005 to 2012 and concurrently 
served  as  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Bank  of  Communications  from  2010  to  2012. 
From March 2012 to August 2018, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and  the  Secretary  to  the  Party  Committee  of  China  Taiping  Insurance  Group  Ltd.  Mr. 
Wang holds a doctoral degree in economics. He is a researcher, a delegate to the 19th 
National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and a member of the 12th and 13th 
National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conferences.

Mr. Su Hengxuan, born in 1963, Chinese

Mr.  Su  became  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  December  2018.  He  has 
been the President of the Company since April 2019, the Vice President of China Life 
Insurance  (Group)  Company  since  December  2017  and  a  Director  of  China  Guangfa 
Bank  Co.,  Ltd.  since  September  2020.  He  was  the  President  of  China  Life  Pension 
Company Limited from March 2015 to February 2018. Mr. Su served various positions 
in  the  Company  from  2000  to  2015,  including  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  Henan 
Branch, the General Manager of the Individual Insurance Department of the Company, 
the General Manager of the Individual Insurance Sales Department of the Company, an 
Assistant  to  the  President  and  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Su  graduated 
from  Wuhan  University  and  the  University  of  Science  and  Technology  of  China  and 
obtained a doctoral degree in management science and engineering from the University 
of Science and Technology of China in 2011. Mr. Su, a senior economist, has over 35 
years of experience in the operation and management of life insurance business.

71

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Li Mingguang, born in 1969, Chinese

Mr.  Li  became  an  Executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  August  2019.  He  has  been 
the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  since  November  2014,  the  Chief  Actuary  of  the 
Company since March 2012, the Chief Actuary of China Life Pension Company Limited 
since  May  2012  and  the  Board  Secretary  of  the  Company  since  June  2017.  Mr.  Li 
joined  the  Company  in  1996  and  subsequently  served  as  the  Deputy  Division  Chief, 
the  Division  Chief,  an  Assistant  to  the  General  Manager  of  the  Product  Development 
Department,  the  Responsible  Actuary  of  the  Company  and  the  General  Manager  of 
the  Actuarial  Department.  He  graduated  from  Shanghai  Jiaotong  University  with  a 
bachelor’s  degree  in  computer  science  in  1991,  Central  University  of  Finance  and 
Economics majoring in monetary banking (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  member  of  the  China  National  Master  of  Insurance  Education  Supervisory 
Committee.

Mr. Yuan Changqing, born in 1961, Chinese

Mr.  Yuan  became  a  Non-executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  February  2018.  He  is 
the  Vice  Chairman,  President  and  Deputy  Secretary  to  the  Party  Committee  of  China 
Life Insurance (Group) Company. Mr. Yuan served as the Chairman of the Supervisory 
Committee  and  the  Deputy  Secretary  to  the  Party  Committee  of  Agricultural  Bank  of 
China Limited from April 2015 to May 2017. He served as the Deputy General Manager 
and  the  Secretary  to  the  Discipline  Inspection  Committee  of  China  Everbright  Group 
Corporation Limited from November 2014 to April 2015, the Secretary to the Discipline 
Inspection  Committee  of  China  Everbright  Group  Limited  from  December  2008  to 
August 2012, and an Executive Director, the Deputy General Manager and the Secretary 
to the Discipline Inspection Committee of China Everbright Group Limited from August 
2012  to  November  2014,  during  which  he  concurrently  served  as  the  Chairman  of 
Everbright Securities Company Limited. During the period from 1995 to 2008, he served 
as  the  Vice  President,  President  and  Secretary  to  the  Party  Committee  of  Xinjiang 
Branch,  the  President  and  Secretary  to  the  Party  Committee  of  Henan  Branch,  and 
the  Director  of  the  Organization  Department  of  the  Party  Committee  and  the  General 
Manager  of  the  Human  Resources  Department  of  the  head  office  of  Industrial  and 
Commercial  Bank  of  China  Limited.  During  the  period  from  1981  to  1995,  he  held 
various professional and management positions in branch offices of the People’s Bank 
of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Mr. Yuan, a senior economist, 
graduated  from  the  University  of  Hong  Kong,  majoring  in  international  business 
administration with a master’s degree in business administration.

72

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Wang Junhui, born in 1971, Chinese

Mr.  Wang  became  a  Non-executive  Director  of  the  Company  in  August  2019.  He  has 
been  the  Chief  Investment  Officer  of  China  Life  Insurance  (Group)  Company  and  the 
President  of  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited  since  August  2016.  He 
has been the Chairman of China Life AMP Asset Management Company Limited since 
December 2016. From 2004 to 2016, he served as an Assistant to the President and the 
Vice  President  of  China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  and  the  President 
of China Life Investment Holding Company Limited. From 2002 to 2004, he served as 
the Director of the Investment Department and an Assistant to the General Manager of 
Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd. Mr. Wang graduated from the School of Computer 
Science  of  Beijing  University  of  Technology  with  a  bachelor’s  degree  in  software  in 
1995, and Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences of the Ministry of Finance of the PRC 
with a doctoral degree in finance in 2008. He is a senior economist.

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 Kerry Properties 
Limited and Hua Hong Semiconductor Limited, all of which are listed on the 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’s degree of science from the University of London, and is a 
fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Mr. Robinson Drake Pike, born in 1951, American

Mr.  Pike  became  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  in  July  2015.  Before  his 
retirement  from  Goldman  Sachs  in  2014,  Mr.  Pike  served  as  the  Managing  Director 
of  Goldman  Sachs  and  the  Chief  Representative  of  the  Beijing  Representative  Office 
of  Goldman  Sachs  International  Bank  UK  from  August  2011  to  May  2014,  and  the 
Managing  Director  of  Goldman  Sachs  and  the  senior  advisor  and  project  coordinator 
sent to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China by  Goldman Sachs from  January 
2007  to  August  2011.  He  was  the  Senior  Vice  President  of  Lehman  Brothers  and  the 
Deputy Head and the Head of Asia Credit Risk Management of Lehman Brothers from 
July  2000  to  December  2006.  Mr.  Pike  has  over  30  years  of  experience  in  the  Asian 
financial  industry  with  a  focus  on  risk  management  and  China’s  banking  industry. 
He  holds  a  bachelor’s  degree  of  arts  in  Chinese  Language  and  Literature  from  Yale 
University  and  a  master’s  degree  of  public  affairs  in  development  economics  from 
Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School.

73

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Tang Xin, born in 1971, Chinese

Mr.  Tang  became  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Company  in  March  2016.  He  is 
a  professor  of  the  School  of  Law  of  Tsinghua  University,  the  Deputy  Head  of  the 
Commercial  Law  Research  Center  of  Tsinghua  University,  an  associate  editor  of 
“Tsinghua  Law  Review”,  a  member  of  the  Listing  Committee  of  the  Shanghai  Stock 
Exchange,  a  member  of  the  Legal  Professional  Advisory  Committee  of  the  Shenzhen 
Stock  Exchange,  the  Chairman  of  the  Independent  Director  Committee  of  China 
Association  for  Public  Companies,  and  an  Independent  Director  of  each  of  Harvest 
Fund Management Co., Ltd. and Bank of Guizhou Co., Ltd. Mr. Tang was elected as a 
member of the first and second sessions of the Merger, Acquisition and Reorganization 
Review Committee of the China Securities Regulatory Commission from 2008 to 2010. 
He served as an Independent Director of China Spacesat Co., Ltd. from 2008 to 2014, 
an  Independent  Director  of  each  of  SDIC  Power  Holdings  Co.,  Ltd.  and  Changjiang 
Securities Company Limited from 2009 to 2013, and an Independent Director of Beijing 
Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. from 2009 to 2015. Mr. Tang graduated from Renmin 
University of China with bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in law.

Ms. Leung Oi-Sie Elsie, born in 1939, Chinese

Ms. Leung became an Independent Director of the Company in July 2016. She was the 
first  Secretary  for  Justice  of  Hong  Kong,  a  member  of  the  Executive  Council  of  Hong 
Kong,  the  Deputy  Director  of  the  Hong  Kong  Basic  Law  Committee  of  the  Standing 
Committee  of  the  2nd,  3rd  and  4th  National  People’s  Congress  and  a  consultant 
of  Iu,  Lai  &  Li  Solicitors  &  Notaries.  Ms.  Leung  served  as  a  member  of  the  Social 
Welfare  Advisory  Committee  and  the  Equal  Opportunities  Commission,  an  executive 
committee member and a council member of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, the 
Chairperson and President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and the 
Honorary  President  of  the  Nanhai  Worldwide  Friendship  Federation.  She  is  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  a  Notary  Public  and  a  China-Appointed  Attesting  Officer.  She  has  been 
awarded the “Grand Bauhinia Medal” and admitted as a solicitor by the Law Societies 
of Hong Kong and England. Ms. Leung graduated from the University of Hong Kong with 
a master’s degree in law, and is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial 
Lawyers.  She  has  been  an  Independent  Non-executive  Director  of  United  Company 
RUSAL  Plc  since  December  2009,  an  Independent  Non-executive  Director  of  China 
Resources  Power  Holdings  Company  Limited  since  April  2010,  and  an  Independent 
Non-executive Director of PetroChina Company Limited since June 2017.

74

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceSUPERVISORS

Mr. Jia Yuzeng, born in 1962, Chinese

Mr.  Jia  became  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Company  in  July 
2018. He has been an Executive Director of the Insurance Society of China since July 
2020 and a Director of China Insurance Security Fund Co., Ltd. since December 2020. 
During  the  period  from  2006  to  March  2018,  he  served  as  a  Supervisor,  the  General 
Manager of the Human Resources Department, an Assistant to the President, the Vice 
President,  the  Board  Secretary,  an  Executive  Director  and  the  Compliance  Officer  of 
China Life Pension Company Limited. During the period from 2004 to 2006, he served 
as  the  General  Manager  of  the  Work  Department  of  the  Trade  Union,  the  Executive 
Deputy Director of the Trade Union and a Supervisor of the Company. During the period 
from 1988 to 2004, he successively served as the Division Head of the General Office 
and  a  secretary  (at  the  deputy  director  level)  of  the  PRC  Ministry  of  Supervision,  the 
Deputy Director (responsible for daily operations) of the Minister Office of the General 
Supervision  Office  under  the  Supervision  Department  of  the  Central  Commission  for 
Discipline Inspection, and  an inspector (at the director level),  supervisor,  inspector (at 
the deputy bureau chief level) and special supervisor of the General Office of the Central 
Commission  for  Discipline  Inspection.  Mr.  Jia  graduated  from  the  Open  University 
of  Hong  Kong  in  2003,  majoring  in  business  administration  with  a  master’s  degree  in 
business administration.

Mr. Han Bing, born in 1971, Chinese

Mr. Han became a Supervisor of the Company in July 2019. He has been the General 
Manager of the Human Resources Department of the Company since December 2018. 
He served as the General Manager of the Human Resources Department of China Life 
Pension  Company  Limited  from  March  2016  to  December  2018.  During  the  period 
from  2014  to  2016,  he  successively  served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  and  the 
Secretary  to  the  Discipline  Inspection  Committee  of  Ningbo  Branch,  and  the  Deputy 
General  Manager  and  the  Secretary  to  the  Discipline  Inspection  Committee  of  Tibet 
Autonomous Region Branch of the Company. During the period from 2006 to 2014, he 
served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Human  Resources  Department  of  the 
Company.  Mr.  Han  graduated  from  Beijing  College  of  Economics  in  1994,  majoring  in 
labour economy with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

75

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Cao Qingyang, born in 1963, Chinese

Mr. Cao became a Supervisor of the Company in July 2019. He has been the General 
Manager  of  the  Product  Development  Department  of  the  Company  since  February 
2011.  From  2008  to  2011,  he  successively  served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager 
of  Tianjin  Branch  and  the  Group  Leader  of  the  Statistics  Working  Group  of  the 
Company. From 2004 to 2008, he successively served as the General Manager of the 
Investor Relations Department, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Board Secretariat 
and  concurrently  the  General  Manager  of  the  Investor  Relations  Department,  and 
the  Deputy  Secretary-General  of  the  Board  Secretariat  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Cao 
graduated from Nankai University in 2004, majoring in finance with a doctoral degree in 
economics.

Ms. Wang Xiaoqing, born in 1965, Chinese

Ms.  Wang  became  a  Supervisor  of  the  Company  in  December  2019.  She  has 
successively been the Deputy General Manager and the General Manager of the Risk 
Management  Department  of  the  Company  since  April  2018.  From  May  2016  to  April 
2018,  she  served  as  the  Secretary  to  the  Discipline  Inspection  Committee  of  Tibet 
Autonomous  Region  Branch  of  the  Company.  From  2010  to  2016,  she  successively 
served as an Assistant to the General Manager and the Deputy General Manager of the 
County  Insurance  Management  Department,  and  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the 
Audit Department of the Company. From 2003 to 2010, she successively served as the 
Deputy Division Chief of the Training Division, the Deputy Division Chief of the Business 
Inspection  Division,  the  Division  Chief  of  the  Agent  Management  Division,  the  Senior 
Manager of the Comprehensive Development Division of the Individual Insurance Sales 
Department  of  the  Company,  and  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  No.5  Sales  Office 
in Beijing Branch of the Company. Ms. Wang graduated from Nanjing Communication 
Engineering  College  in  1988,  majoring  in  radio  communication  engineering  with  a 
bachelor’s degree in engineering.

76

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceSENIOR MANAGEMENT

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

Mr. Li Mingguang, please see the section “Directors” for his profile.

Ms. Huang Xiumei, born in 1967, Chinese

Ms.  Huang  became  the  Vice  President  and  the  Person  in  Charge  of  Finance  of  the 
Company  in  May  2020.  Ms.  Huang  has  been  a  Director  of  Sino-Ocean  Group  Holding 
Limited  since  March  2021,  a  Director  of  China  Life  Franklin  Asset  Management 
Company Limited since February 2021, and a Director of China Life Pension Company 
Limited  since  July  2018.  From  2016  to  2020,  she  served  as  the  Vice  President,  the 
Board  Secretary  and  the  Person  in  Charge  of  Finance  of  China  Life  Pension  Company 
Limited.  From  2014  to  2016,  she  served  as  the  Financial  Controller  and  the  General 
Manager  of  the  Financial  Management  Department  of  the  Company.  From  2005  to 
2014,  Ms.  Huang  held  various  positions  at  the  Company’s  Fujian  Branch,  including  an 
Assistant to the General Manager, the Deputy General Manager, the Branch Head, the 
Deputy  General  Manager  (responsible  for  daily  operations)  and  the  General  Manager. 
From 1999 to 2005, she served as the Deputy Division Chief of the Planning and Finance 
Division, the Manager of the Planning and Finance Department and the Manager of the 
Finance Department of the Company’s Fujian Branch, and during the period from 2004 
to  2005,  she  concurrently  served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Company’s 
Fuzhou  Branch.  Ms.  Huang  graduated  from  Fuzhou  University,  majoring  in  accounting 
with a bachelor’s degree. She is a senior accountant.

Mr. Ruan Qi, born in 1966, Chinese

Mr.  Ruan  became  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  in  April  2018.  He  served  as 
the  Chief  Information  Technology  Officer  of  the  Company  from  January  2018  to  April 
2018.  Mr.  Ruan  served  as  the  Chief  Information  Technology  Officer  and  the  General 
Manager  (at  the  general  manager  level  of  the  provincial  branches)  of  the  Information 
Technology Department of the Company from October 2016 to January 2018. He served 
as  the  General  Manager  (at  the  general  manager  level  of  the  provincial  branches)  of 
the Information Technology Department of the Company from March 2016 to October 
2016.  He  served  as  the  General  Manager  of  China  Life  Data  Center  and  the  General 
Manager  (at  the  general  manager  level  of  the  provincial  branches)  of  the  Information 
Technology  Department  of  the  Company  from  2014  to  2016,  and  the  Deputy  General 
Manager  and  the  General  Manager  of  the  Information  Technology  Department  of  the 
Company  from  2004  to  2014.  He  successively  served  as  the  Deputy  Division  Chief 
of  the  Computer  Division  of  Fujian  Branch,  and  the  Deputy  Manager  (responsible  for 
daily  operations)  and  the  Manager  of  the  Information  Technology  Department  of  the 
Company  from  2000  to  2004.  Mr.  Ruan,  a  senior  engineer,  graduated  from  Beijing 
Institute  of  Posts  and  Telecommunications  in  August  1987,  majoring  in  computer 
science and communications with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and from Xiamen 
University  with  a  master’s  degree  in  business  administration  for  senior  management 
(EMBA) in December 2007.

77

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Zhan Zhong, born in 1968, Chinese

Mr.  Zhan  became  the  Vice  President  of  the  Company  in  July  2019.  He  has  been  the 
Marketing  Director  of  the  Company  since  August  2017  and  the  General  Manager  (at 
the general manager level of the provincial branches) of the Individual Insurance Sales 
Department  of  the  Company  since  July  2014.  He  was  an  Employee  Representative 
Supervisor  of  the  Company  from  July  2015  to  August  2017.  Mr.  Zhan  served  as  the 
Deputy  General  Manager  (responsible  for  daily  operations)  and  the  General  Manager 
of  the  Company’s  Qinghai  Branch  from  2013  to  2014.  From  2009  to  2013,  Mr.  Zhan 
successively served as the Deputy General Manager (responsible for daily operations) 
and the General Manager of the Individual Insurance Sales Department of the Company. 
From  2005  to  2009,  he  successively  served  as  the  General  Manager  of  the  Individual 
Insurance  Sales  Department  of  the  Company’s  Guangdong  Branch  and  an  Assistant 
to the General Manager of the Company’s Guangdong Branch. From 1996 to 2005, he 
successively served as the Director of the Marketing Department of Chengdu High-tech 
Sub-branch of Zhongbao Life Insurance Company, an Assistant to the Manager and the 
Manager  of  the  Marketing  Department  of  Chengdu  Branch,  and  the  Deputy  General 
Manager  of  Chengdu  Branch  of  Taikang  Life  Insurance  Company.  Mr.  Zhan  graduated 
from  Kunming  Institute  of  Technology  in  July  1989,  majoring  in  industrial  electric 
automation with a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Ms. Yang Hong, born in 1967, Chinese

Ms. Yang became the Vice President of the Company in July 2019. She has been the 
Operation Director of the Company since March 2018 and the General Manager of the 
Operation Service Center of the Company since January 2018. Ms. Yang successively 
served  as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  (responsible  for  daily  operations)  and  the 
General  Manager  of  the  Research  and  Development  Center,  the  General  Manager  (at 
the  general  manager  level  of  the  provincial  branches)  of  the  Business  Management 
Department  and  the  General  Manager  (at  the  general  manager  level  of  the  provincial 
branches)  of  the  Business  Process  Management  Department  of  the  Company  from 
2011  to  2018.  From  2002  to  2011,  she  successively  served  as  an  Assistant  to  the 
General  Manager  and  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Business  Management 
Department,  and  the  General  Manager  of  the  Customer  Service  Department  of  the 
Company.  Ms.  Yang  graduated  from  the  Computer  Science  Department  of  Jilin 
University  in  1989,  majoring  in  system  structure  with  a  bachelor’s  degree  of  science, 
and from the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University in 2013 with 
a master’s degree in business administration for senior management.

78

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMr. Zhao Guodong, born in 1967, Chinese

Mr.  Zhao  became  an  Assistant  to  the  President  of  the  Company  in  October  2019.  He 
has  been  the  General  Manager  of  Jiangsu  Branch  of  the  Company  in  July  2018.  He 
successively served as the Deputy General Manager (responsible for daily operations) 
and the General Manager of Chongqing Branch, the General Manager of Hunan Branch 
of  the  Company  from  2016  to  2018,  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  each  of  Fujian 
Branch and Hunan Branch of the Company from 2007 to 2016, and the Deputy General 
Manager of Changde Branch and the General Manager of Yiyang Branch of the Company 
from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Zhao graduated from Hunan Computer School in 1988, majoring 
in computer software, and from China Central Radio and TV University in 2006, majoring 
in business administration.

Mr. Xu Chongmiao, born in 1969, Chinese

Mr.  Xu  became  the  Compliance  Officer  of  the  Company  in  July  2018.  He  has  been 
the  General  Manager  of  the  Legal  and  Compliance  Department  and  the  Legal  Officer 
of  the  Company  since  September  2014.  From  2006  to  2014,  he  successively  served 
as  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of  the  Legal  Affairs  Department,  the  Deputy  General 
Manager of the Legal and Compliance Department and the Legal Officer at the general 
manager  level  of  the  Company.  From  2000  to  2006,  he  successively  served  as  the 
Deputy  Division  Chief  of  the  Regulations  Division  of  the  Development  and  Research 
Department  and  a  senior  regulations  researcher  of  the  Legal  Affairs  Department  of 
the  Company.  Mr.  Xu  graduated  from  Fudan  University  in  August  1991,  majoring  in 
economic  law  with  a  bachelor’s  degree  in  law,  and  from  Renmin  University  of  China 
in July 1996 and July 2005, respectively, majoring in economic law with master’s and 
doctorate degrees in law. Mr. Xu is admitted as a lawyer and certified public accountant 
in the PRC.

Mr. Yang Chuanyong, born in 1963, Chinese

Mr.  Yang  became  the  Person  in  Charge  of  Audit  of  the  Company  in  December  2020. 
He served as the General Manager of the Audit Department of the Company from June 
2019  to  February  2021.  He  served  as  the  General  Manager  of  the  Company’s  Branch 
of  Guangxi  Zhuang  Autonomous  Region  from  2017  to  2019.  From  2012  to  2017,  he 
successively served as the General Manager of the Legal and Compliance Department 
and  the  Director  of  the  Office  of  the  Company.  From  2004  to  2012,  he  successively 
served as an Assistant to the Director and the Deputy Director of the Office, the General 
Manager  of  the  Strategic  Planning  Department,  and  the  Deputy  General  Manager  of 
Beijing Branch of the Company. Mr. Yang graduated from the Tsinghua University with 
an EMBA degree in January 2010, majoring in business administration for executives.

79

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance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  15  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  Lee  &  Man  Chemical  Company  Limited, 
Matrix  Holdings  Limited,  Best  Food  Holding  Company  Limited  and  Veson  Holdings 
Limited  (formerly  known  as  SCUD  Group  Limited),  all  of  which  are  listed  on  the  main 
board of the HKSE.

POSITIONS HELD BY CURRENT DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT IN 
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

Name

Wang Bin

Name of shareholders

Position

Term

China Life Insurance (Group) Company Chairman

Since August 2018

Su Hengxuan

China Life Insurance (Group) Company Vice President

Since December 2017

Yuan Changqing

China Life Insurance (Group) Company Vice Chairman, President

Since May 2017

Wang Junhui

China Life Insurance (Group) Company Chief Investment Officer

Since August 2016

80

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS 
AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

EMPLOYEES

Employees

Decision-making  procedures  for  the  remuneration  of 
Directors,  Supervisors  and  senior  management:  The 
remuneration  of  Directors  and  Supervisors  are  approved 
by  shareholders  at  general  meetings,  whereas  the 
remuneration  of  senior  management  is  approved  by  the 
Board of Directors.

Basis for determination of the remuneration of Directors, 
Supervisors  and  senior  management:  The  remuneration 
o f  D i r e c t o r s ,  S u p e r v i s o r s  a n d  s e n i o r  m a n a g e m e n t 
are  determined  based  on  the  operating  results  of  the 
Company and the performance appraisal conducted by the 
Board of Directors, and in accordance with the measures 
for the administration of remuneration of the Company.

Actual payment of remuneration to Directors, Supervisors 
and  senior  management:  During  the  Reporting  Period, 
the  remuneration  actually  received  by  all  Directors, 
Supervisors  and  senior  management  (including  the 
resigned  Directors,  Supervisors  and  senior  management) 
from  the  Company  totaled  RMB14.6210  million.  In 
a c c o r d a n c e  w i t h  t h e  r e l e v a n t  r e q u i r e m e n t s  o f  t h e 
measures  for  the  administration  of  remuneration  of  the 
Company,  the  standard  for  performance-based  bonus 
(as  part  of  the  compensation)  payable  to  Directors, 
Supervisors  and  senior  management  of  the  Company  in 
2020 has not yet been determined.

Number of employees of the Company

102,503

Unit: Persons

Number of employees of the 

Company’s major subsidiaries

Employees in total

Number of the resigned and retired 
employees whose costs were 
covered by the Company and its  
major subsidiaries

1,657

104,160

20

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the composition of 
the employees of the Company and its major subsidiaries 
is as follows:

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

Unit: Persons

Number of 
Employees

19,061

47,301

5,412

24,430

4,212

3,744

104,160

81

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Education Level

Education Level

Master or above

Bachelor

College Diploma

Secondary School

Others

Total

Unit: Persons

Number of 
Employees

5,516

66,800

27,164

1,711

2,969

104,160

Remuneration Policy for Employees

T h e  C o m p a n y  h a s  e s t a b l i s h e d  a  r e m u n e r a t i o n  a n d 
incentive system with reference to employee’s positions, 
the Company’s performance and market conditions.

Training Plans

W i t h   a   c o m m i t m e n t   t o   u p h o l d i n g   i t s   e s t a b l i s h e d 
ideas  and  beliefs,  the  Company  has  been  developing 
its  education  and  training  plans  for  employees  with 
a   f o c u s   o n   e n h a n c i n g   t h e i r   o v e r a l l   c a p a b i l i t y   o f 
corporate  management.  The  Company  has  integrated 
real  situations  into  its  education  and  training  and  put 

stringent  management  into  practice,  concentrated  on 
the  development  of  a  quality  system  that  covers  source 
cultivation,  follow-up  cultivation  and  whole-process 
cultivation,  and  consistently  enhanced  the  suitability 
and  effectiveness  of  education  and  training  plans  for 
employees  to  facilitate  the  healthy  growth  of  cadre 
employees and their teams, thus offering a strong support 
to  make  itself  as  a  world-class  insurance  company. 
In  2020,  the  Company  continuously  implemented  the 
work  requirements  of  “close  to  the  frontline,  close  to 
the  practice  and  adapt  to  the  era”  for  education  and 
training  in  a  consistent  manner,  focused  on  cadre  team 
building  and  professional  talent  cultivation,  and  further 
strengthened the development of training content system, 
institutional  system  and  teaching  resource  system  by 
closely  upholding  the  strategic  deployment  of  “China 
Life  Revitalization”.  The  Company  also  took  proactive 
actions  to  defuse  any  impacts  brought  by  the  pandemic 
prevention  and  control,  applied  technological  means  to 
innovate  training  models,  and  adopted  a  combination  of 
online and offline methods for training, so as to ensure the 
successful completion of education and training plans for 
employees at all levels. The implementation of a series of 
training  and  cultivation  programs,  such  as  the  cultivation 
of  new  employees,  base  platform  cultivation,  “2551” 
Project,  Wings  Program  and  training  for  professional 
managers,  offered  a  powerful  support  to  the  supply  of 
talents for the growth of the Company’s business and its 
high-quality development.

82

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF 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  an  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 of  
Directors

Board of 
Supervisors

Audit 
Committee

Nomination and
Remuneration
Committee

Risk Management 
and Consumer Rights 
Protection Committee

Strategy and Assets and 
Liabilities Management 
Committee

Connected 
Transactions 
Control Committee

Board Secretary  
Board of Directors’ Office/
Company Secretary

(Corporate Governance Structure Chart)

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.

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  and  the  relevant 
provisions.  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  Board  of  Supervisors 
m e e t i n g s   o f   t h e   C o m p a n y   h a v e   b e e n   f u n c t i o n i n g 
independently and coordinately.

In  accordance  with  the  regulatory  requirements  of  its 
listed  jurisdictions  and  the  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 
initiatives  to  look  into  the  Company’s  affairs  and  have 
had  a  comprehensive  understanding  of  the  Company’s 
b u s i n e s s e s .  T h e y  h a v e  d e v o t e d  s u f f i c i e n t  t i m e  i n 
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 
strategies  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  Board’s  decision-
making.

83

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance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, 
t h e   B o a r d   h a s   e s t a b l i s h e d   f i v e   s p e c i a l i z e d   B o a r d 
committees,  i.e.  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Nomination 
and Remuneration Committee, the Risk Management and 
Consumer  Rights  Protection  Committee,  the  Strategy 
and  Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee,  and 
the  Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee.  These 
specialized Board committees conduct studies on specific 
matters,  hold  meetings  both  on  a  regular  and  an  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 
intensifying the Board’s functions.

The Board of Supervisors of the Company has carried out 
its  work  and  performed  its  duties  in  accordance  with  the 
Articles  of  Association  and  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  the 
Board of Supervisors Meetings”. Members of the Board of 
Supervisors attended the shareholders’ general meetings 
and the Board of Supervisors 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 role of 
supervision.

The  Company  has  consistently  made  improvements  to 
its systems relating to corporate governance. Pursuant to 
the relevant regulatory requirements and after taking into 
account its actual operation, the Company has revised the 
“Procedural Rules for the Audit Committee Meetings”.

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.

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  was  awarded 
the prizes such as the “Hong Kong Corporate Governance 
Excellence Award” 2020 (“Main Board Companies – Hang 
Seng  Index  Constituent  Companies”  Category)  by  the 
Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and the Centre 
for  Corporate  Governance  and  Financial  Policy  of  Hong 
Kong Baptist University, the “Best IR of Hong Kong Listed 
Company” by New Fortune Magazine, the “Best Investor 
Relations of Listed Company” in the 2020 China Securities 
Golden Bauhinia Awards, as well as the “Most Respected 
Company”,  the  “Best  Investor  Relations  Team”  and  the 
“Best Investor Relations Manager” in the Asian Region in 
2020 by Institutional Investor.

Shareholders’ General Meeting

The  shareholders’  general  meeting,  as  an  organ  of  the 
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  of  Directors  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  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.

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

First Extraordinary General Meeting 2020 20 February 2020

2019 Annual General Meeting

29 June 2020

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

20 February 2020

29 June 2020

84

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Investment  by  the 
Company  in  China  Life  Aged-care  Industry  Investment 
Fund” was considered and approved by a combination of 
on-site and online voting at the First Extraordinary General 
Meeting 2020 held in Beijing on 20 February 2020.

Eight proposals including: the “Proposal in relation to the 
Report  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  for  the 
Year 2019”, the “Proposal in relation to the Report of the 
Board of Supervisors of the Company for the Year 2019”, 
the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Financial  Report  of  the 
Company for the Year 2019”, the “Proposal in relation to 
the  Profit  Distribution  Plan  of  the  Company  for  the  Year 
2019”,  the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Remuneration 
of  Directors  and  Supervisors  of  the  Company”,  the 
“Proposal in relation to the Election of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen 
as  an  Independent  Director  of  the  Sixth  Session  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company”,  the  “Proposal  in 
relation to the Remuneration of Auditors of the Company 
for  the  Year  2019  and  the  Appointment  of  Auditors  of 
the  Company  for  the  Year  2020”  and  the  “Proposal  in 
relation  to  the  General  Mandate  for  the  Issuance  of  H 
Shares by the Company”, were considered and approved 
by  a  combination  of  on-site  and  online  voting,  and  the 
“Duty  Report  of  the  Independent  Directors  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Company  for  the  Year  2019”  and  the 
“Report on the Overall Status of Connected Transactions 
of  the  Company  for  the  Year  2019”  were  received  and 
reviewed  at  the  2019  Annual  General  Meeting  held  in 
Beijing on 29 June 2020.

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

Name of Director

Type of Director

Wang Bin

Executive Director

Su Hengxuan

Executive Director

Li Mingguang

Executive Director

Yuan Changqing

Non-executive Director

Liu Huimin

Yin Zhaojun

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Wang Junhui

Non-executive Director

Chang Tso Tung Stephen

Independent Director

Robinson Drake Pike

Independent Director

Tang Xin

Independent Director

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Independent Director

Number of 
shareholders’ 
general 
meetings 
required 
to attend 
for the year

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
in person

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

2

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

2

Attendance  records  of  the  resigned  Director  at  the 
shareholders’ general meetings:

Name of Director

Type of Director

Number of
shareholders’
 general 
meetings 
required 
to attend 
for the year

Number of 
meetings 
attended 
in person

Zhao Peng

Executive Director

0

–

85

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOARD

The  Board  is  the  standing  decision-making  body  of 
the  Company  and  its  main  duties  include:  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 
t o  t h e  e n h a n c e m e n t  o f  t h e i r  p r o f e s s i o n a l  q u a l i t y , 
reviewing  the  compliance  policies  of  the  Company, 
assessing  the  internal  control  systems  of  the  Company 
and  reviewing  the  compliance  by  the  Company  with  the 
Corporate Governance Code. 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,  the 
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.

C u r r e n t l y ,   t h e   B o a r d   c o m p r i s e s   n i n e   m e m b e r s , 
including  three  Executive  Directors,  two  Non-executive 
Directors  and  four  Independent  Directors.  The  number 
of  Independent  Directors  complies  with  the  minimum 
requirement  of  three  Independent  Directors  and  the 
requirement  that  at  least  one-third  of  the  Board  be 

r e p r e s e n t e d   b y   I n d e p e n d e n t   D i r e c t o r s   u n d e r   t h e 
regulatory rules of the industry and its listed jurisdictions. 
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  external 
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  members  of 
the  Board  of  Directors,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  or  the 
senior  management,  including  between  Mr.  Wang  Bin, 
the  Chairman  of  the  Board,  and  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan,  the 
President of the Company.

In  2020,  Independent  Directors  of  the  Board  of  the 
Company  possessed  extensive  experience  in  various 
fields,  such  as  macro  economy,  finance  and  insurance, 
legal  compliance,  accounting  and  auditing.  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.

86

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceThe Company has developed a relatively well-established 
procedure  for  nomination  and  election  of  Directors, 
under which the Board shall, when nominating Directors, 
consider  their  professional  ability  and  conduct,  and  also 
take  into  account  the  requirement  for  diversity  of  the 
Board  members.  Complementarity  among  the  Board 
members  in  aspects  including  gender,  age,  culture, 
educational  background,  professional  experience,  skills 
and  knowledge  will  be  considered  in  the  selection  of 
candidates  for  Directors.  Currently,  the  Board  comprises 
nine  members  with  extensive  experience  in  various 
fields,  such  as  finance  and  insurance,  macro  economy, 
financial accounting, law and management. The diversified 
composition of the Board is as follows:

Directors by type:

Executive 
Director

Non-executive 
Director

Independent 
Director

3 persons

2 persons

4 persons

Directors by location:

Mainland 
China

Hong Kong, 
China

Europe and 
America

6 persons

2 persons

1 person

Directors by gender:

Male

8 persons

Female

1 person

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,  related  financial  reports,  and  major  business 
operations  of  the  year.  Meetings  are  convened  by  the 
Chairman of the Board and a notice is given to all Directors 
14  days  before  such  meetings.  Agendas  and  related 
documents are sent to the Directors at least 3 days prior 
to such meetings. In 2020, 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  which  would  have  material  adverse 
impacts  on  the  Company’s  ongoing  operation  has  been 
found.

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 Board of Supervisors, more 
than  two  Independent  Directors,  the  Chairman  of  the 
Board  or  the  President  of  the  Company.  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 ad-hoc Board meeting 
need  not  be  physically  convened  and  such  resolution  in 
writing shall become an effective resolution.

87

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  right  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 
Directors.

Currently,  the  sixth  session  of  the  Board  comprises  the 
following members: Mr. Wang Bin, Mr. Su Hengxuan and 
Mr. Li Mingguang, all being Executive Directors, Mr. Yuan 
Changqing and Mr. Wang Junhui, all being Non-executive 
Directors, and Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen, Mr. Robinson 
Drake  Pike,  Mr.  Tang  Xin  and  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie,  all 
being  Independent  Directors,  with  Mr.  Wang  Bin  as  the 
Chairman  of  the  Board.  Due  to  the  adjustment  of  work 
arrangements, Mr. Zhao Peng, Mr. Yin Zhaojun and Mr. Liu 
Huimin resigned from their positions as Directors in April 
2020, January 2021 and February 2021, respectively.

In 2020, all members of the Board of Directors developed 
and  refreshed  their  knowledge  and  skills  by  attending 
special  training  courses  covering  topics  such  as  macro 
economy and the development of the insurance industry. 
All  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company 
attended  the  training  programs  on  anti-money  laundering 
and  a  training  course  on  the  “New  ESG  Requirements” 
offered  by  the  HKSE.  Mr.  Li  Mingguang,  an  Executive 
Director  of  the  Company,  attended  a  follow-up  training 
course  provided  by  the  SSE  for  the  secretaries  to  the 
board of directors of listed companies and special training 
courses  offered  by  the  Listed  Companies  Association  of 
Beijing. Mr. Wang Junhui, a Non-Executive Director of the 
Company, attended a basic course on risk management of 
insurance companies and a training course on anti-money 
laundering online practices as organized by the Insurance 
Association  of  China,  and  a  training  course  on  GL10: 
Guideline  on  the  Corporate  Governance  of  Authorized 
Insurers as organized by the Insurance Authority of Hong 
Kong.  Mr.  Tang  Xin,  an  Independent  Director  of  the 
Company,  attended  a  follow-up  training  course  provided 
by  the  SSE  for  independent  directors.  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie 
Elsie, an Independent Director of the Company, attended 
training  courses  on  ESG  report  and  risk  management, 
economic entity and trust and family asset management, 
the  future  of  arbitration  in  Hong  Kong,  as  well  as  the 
editing background and structure of the Civil Code of the 
PRC and its innovative provisions.

88

The  Company  has  consistently  improved  its  corporate 
governance  structure,  regulated  the  acts  of  Directors  in 
performing  their  duties,  and  optimized  the  mechanism 
for  s upervi si ng  a nd  eval uating  th e  p erf orm anc e  of 
duties  by  Directors.  Pursuant  to  the  “Measures  for  the 
Administration  of  Independent  Directors  of  Insurance 
Institutions”  published  by  the  CBIRC,  the  “Operational 
Guidance  for  Evaluating  the  Performance  of  Duties 
by  Directors  of  Insurance  Companies”  issued  by  the 
Insurance Association of China, the “Provisional Measures 
for Evaluating the Performance of Duties by Directors” of 
the Company and other requirements, and after taking into 
account  the  actual  situation  of  its  corporate  governance, 
the Company conducted an evaluation of the performance 
of  duties  by  Directors.  Based  on  the  self-assessment  of 
Directors and the evaluation of the Board of Supervisors, 
all members of the Board of the Company were evaluated 
as competent in their performance of duties in 2020.

Meetings and attendance

During the Reporting Period, five regular Board meetings 
and five ad-hoc Board meetings were held by the Board of 
the  Company.  Attendance  records  of  individual  Directors 
are as follows:

Name of Director

Type of Director

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of
 meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Wang Bin

Executive Director

Su Hengxuan

Executive Director

Li Mingguang

Executive Director

Yuan Changqing

Non-executive Director

Liu Huimin

Yin Zhaojun

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Wang Junhui

Non-executive Director

Chang Tso Tung Stephen Independent Director

Robinson Drake Pike

Independent Director

Tang Xin

Independent Director

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Independent Director

8/10

10/10

10/10

7/10

10/10

9/10

9/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

2/10

0/10

0/10

3/10

0/10

1/10

1/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attendance  records  of  the  resigned  Director  of  the 
Company at the Board meetings are as follows:

Name of Director

Type of Director

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Zhao Peng

Executive Director

1/2

1/2

Notes: 

1.  The  number  of  meetings  attended  in  person  includes  meetings 
attended  by  the  Directors  on-site  and  by  way  of  telephone  or  video 
conference.

2.  Directors  who  were  unable  to  attend  any  meeting  of  the  Board 
authorized other Directors to attend and vote at the meeting on their 
behalf.

Performance of duties by Independent Directors

In  2020,  all  Independent  Directors  of  the  Board  of  the 
Company  possessed  extensive  experience  in  various 
fields,  such  as  macro  economy,  finance  and  insurance, 
l e g a l   c o m p l i a n c e ,   a c c o u n t i n g   a n d   a u d i t i n g .   T h e y 
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.

A l l  I n d e p e n d e n t  D i r e c t o r s  d i l i g e n t l y  f u l f i l l e d  t h e i r 
responsibilities  and  faithfully  performed  their  duties  by 
attending  meetings  of  the  Board  and  the  specialized 
Board  committees  in  2020,  examining  and  approving 
the  Company’s  business  development,  its  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  operations  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  the 
annual  special  meeting  between  the  Chairman  and  the 
Independent  Directors,  all  Independent  Directors  put 
forward their own views and opinions on various aspects 
such  as  the  macro-environment,  industry  development, 
p o l i c i e s   o f   t h e   i n s u r a n c e   i n d u s t r y ,   a n d   c o r p o r a t e 
governance, etc., and gave advices and recommendations 
on  matters  including  the  development  strategy  of  the 
Company,  development  of  investment  business,  brand 
and  image  building,  sales  team  building,  and  coordinated 
development  of  businesses.  The  Board  attached  great 
importance  to  opinions  and  advice  from  Independent 
Directors,  actively  strengthened  its  communication  with 
them  and  adopted  their  advice  after  careful  deliberation 
and  discussion.  In  2020,  the  Company  provided  various 
materials to Independent Directors, which facilitated 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 2020, Mr. Chang Tso Tung Stephen, Mr. Robinson Drake 
Pike,  Mr.  Tang  Xin  and  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie,  all  being 
the  Independent  Directors  of  the  Company,  carried  out 
investigation and research on the individual agent business 
sector of the Company by way of video conference, received 
reports concerning the development of individual insurance 
business  of  the  Company  and  the  method  adopted  by 
sales representatives for  business development during the 
Covid-19  pandemic,  and  discussed  and  communicated  in 
respect  of  the  relevant  issues.  Through  the  investigation 
and research, the Independent Directors further understood 
the development  and status of the Company’s  businesses 
in  great  depth  and  examined  the  effectiveness  of  the 
implementation of decisions of the Board.

During the Reporting Period, no Independent Director has 
raised  any  objection  against  the  proposals  and  matters 
considered by the Board of the Company.

89

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

During the Reporting Period, Mr. Wang Bin has served as 
the Chairman of the Board of the Company. The Chairman 
of  the  Board  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/Chairpersons  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, 
and  promoting  a  culture  of  openness  and  debate.  The 
Chairman of the Board is accountable to and reports to the 
Board. During the Reporting Period, Mr. Su Hengxuan has 
served as the President of the Company. The President is 
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company, 
mainly  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  any  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.

The  composition  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  and  the 
profile  of  each  Supervisor  are  set  forth  in  the  section 
headed “Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and 
Employees”  of  this  report,  and  the  details  of  the  duty 
performance  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  are  set  forth  in 
the section headed “Report of the Board of Supervisors”.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The  Company  established  its  Audit  Committee  on  30 
June 2003. In 2020, the Audit Committee comprised only 
Independent  Directors.  Currently,  the  Audit  Committee 
of the sixth session of the Board comprises Mr. Robinson 
Drake  Pike,  Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen  and  Mr.  Tang 
Xin,  all  being  Independent  Directors,  with  Mr.  Robinson 
Drake Pike acting as the Chairman.

All  members  of  the  Audit  Committee  have  extensive 
experience  in  financial  matters.  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 
whistleblowing mechanism of the Company.

Meetings and attendance

During the Reporting Period, six meetings were held by the Audit Committee of the Board of the Company. Attendance 
records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Robinson Drake Pike

Chang Tso Tung Stephen

Tang Xin

Independent Director, Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the Audit 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the Audit 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings
 required 
to attend

6/6

6/6

6/6

0/6

0/6

0/6

Note:  The number of meetings attended in person includes attending meetings by the Directors on-site and by telephone or video conference.

90

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assessing  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  and 
m o n i t o r i n g  t h e  o p e r a t i o n  o f  t h e  C o m p a n y  t o  b e  i n 
compliance  with  law.  The  Audit  Committee  provided 
guidance to the Company on the management of internal 
control,  devised  the  working  plan  for  internal  control 
assessment,  reviewed  the  work  report  on  assessment 
of  internal  control,  and  inspected  the  rectification  of 
problems  identified  in  the  internal  control  pursuant 
to  Section  404  of  the  U.S.  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act.  The 
Audit  Committee  earnestly  performed  its  duties  and 
responsibilities  and  monitored  the  Company  to  carry  out 
its work in compliance with laws and regulations pursuant 
to  the  relevant  requirements  of  the  CBIRC,  the  SSE  and 
the  HKSE.  As  required  by  its  duties  and  responsibilities, 
the  Audit  Committee  reviewed  the  annual  and  half-year 
compliance reports of the Company to ensure that its work 
was conducted strictly according to the relevant regulatory 
requirements in a reasonable and efficient manner.

Examining the internal audit functions of the Company. In 
2020,  the  Audit  Committee  reviewed  proposals  including 
the  proposal  on  the  2019  internal  audit  work,  and  the 
proposal on the internal audit work report for the first half 
of  2020,  with  a  view  to  further  understanding  the  duties 
of  the  Company’s  audit  departments  and  supervising  the 
effectiveness  of  the  internal  audit  function.  The  Audit 
Committee was of the view that the internal audit function 
of  the  Company  was  effective  during  the  Reporting 
Period.

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. 
Currently,  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee 
of the sixth session of the Board comprises Mr. Tang Xin 
and Mr. Robinson Drake Pike, the Independent Directors, 
and  Mr.  Yuan  Changqing,  a  Non-executive  Director,  with 
Mr. Tang Xin acting as the Chairman.

Performance of duties by the Audit Committee

In  2020,  the  Audit  Committee  performed  its  relevant 
d u t i e s  a n d  f u n c t i o n s  i n  s t r i c t  c o m p l i a n c e  w i t h  t h e 
“Procedural  Rules  for  the  Audit  Committee  Meetings”. 
All  members  of  the  Audit  Committee  performed  their 
o b l i g a t i o n s  i n  a  r e s p o n s i b l e  m a n n e r  a n d  r e v i e w e d 
the  proposals  in  relation  to  the  audit  of  the  Company, 
its  financial  reports,  connected  transactions,  internal 
control  and  legal  compliance.  During  meetings  of  the 
Audit  Committee,  all  members  actively  participated  in 
discussions  and  gave  guiding  opinions  on  any  proposals 
considered and discussed at the meetings.

Reviewing  and  approving  financial  reports.  The  Audit 
C o m m i t t e e ,  a c c o r d i n g  t o  i t s  d u t i e s ,  r e v i e w e d  a n d 
approved annual, interim and quarterly financial reports of 
the Company. 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.  By 
reviewing  and  monitoring  the  completeness  of  financial 
statements,  annual  report  and  accounts,  interim  report 
and  quarterly  reports  of  the  Company,  and  examining 
significant  matters  such  as  financial  statements  and 
reports,  the  Audit  Committee  guaranteed  the  accuracy 
and  completeness  of  the  financial  information  disclosed 
by  the  Company  and  the  consistency  of  its  financial 
reports.  Prior  to  the  audit  conducted  by  the  accounting 
firm  and  the  review  of  the  annual  report,  the  Audit 
Committee  communicated  the  relevant  situations  with 
the auditors and listened to the report in connection with 
the  arrangement  of  the  audit.  After  a  preliminary  opinion 
on  audit  was  issued  by  the  accounting  firm,  the  Audit 
Committee  commenced  in-depth  communications  with  it 
so as to understand whether there were any issues arisen 
during the audit.

Assessing the work of and strengthening communications 
with  external  auditors.  Besides  regular  meetings,  the 
Audit  Committee  convened  communication  meetings 
in  advance  with  external  auditors  so  as  to  discuss  the 
annual  audit  plan  of  the  Company,  determine  the  service 
scope of the annual audit, listen to the report given by the 
auditors  with  respect  to  the  results  of  the  audit  on  and 
review  of  periodic  financial  reports  of  the  Company,  and 
gave opinions and advice on the agreed-upon procedures 
proposed  annually  and  quarterly  by  the  external  auditors 
of  the  Company  and  the  pre-approval  of  the  scope  of 
additional  services.  Through  communications,  the  Audit 
Committee  enhanced  the  effectiveness  of  the  internal 
control  of  the  Company  and  further  supervised  the 
performance of duties by the external auditors in a diligent 
and responsible way.

91

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance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 
c r i t e r i a  o f  D i r e c t o r s  a n d  s e n i o r  m a n a g e m e n t .  T h e 
committee  is  also  responsible  for  formulating  training 
and  remuneration  policies  for  the  senior  management 
of  the  Company.  The  Nomination  and  Remuneration 
Committee, as an advisor to the Board on the nomination 
of  Directors,  shall  first  discuss  and  agree  on  the  list 
o f  c a n d i d a t e s  t o  b e  n o m i n a t e d  a s  n e w  D i r e c t o r s , 
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 

i n d u s t r y ,  a n d  t h e  c a n d i d a t e s ’  c o m m i t m e n t  t o  t h e 
Company. As to the nomination of Independent Directors, 
the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  will  give 
special consideration to the independence of the relevant 
candidates.

T h e   N o m i n a t i o n   a n d   R e m u n e r a t i o n   C o m m i t t e e 
d e t e r m i n e s ,   w i t h   d e l e g a t e d   r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ,   t h e 
remuneration  packages  of  all  Executive  Directors  and 
senior  management  officers.  The  fixed  salary  of  the 
E x e c u t i v e  D i r e c t o r s  a n d  o t h e r  m e m b e r s  o f  s e n i o r 
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.

Meetings and attendance

During the Reporting Period, four meetings were held by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of 
the Company. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Tang Xin

Robinson Drake Pike

Yuan Changqing

Notes: 

Independent Director, Chairman of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the six session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Non-executive Director, member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

4/4

4/4

2/4

4/4

4/4

2/4

1.  The number of meetings attended in person includes attending meetings by the Directors on-site and by telephone or video conference.

2.  Directors who were unable to attend any meeting of specialized Board committees authorized other Directors to attend and vote at the meeting on their 

behalf.

92

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance of duties by the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee

In  2020,  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee 
performed  its  relevant  duties  and  functions  in  strict 
compliance with the “Procedural Rules for the Nomination 
and  Remuneration  Committee  Meetings”.  All  members 
o f   t h e   N o m i n a t i o n   a n d   R e m u n e r a t i o n   C o m m i t t e e 
performed  their  obligations  in  a  responsible  manner  and 
reviewed  the  proposals  on  the  candidates  for  Directors, 
nomination  of  senior  management  officers,  business 
objectives  and  appraisal  results,  the  remuneration  of 
Directors,  Supervisors  and  senior  management,  and  the 
report  on  the  duty  performance  of  the  Audit  Committee 
and  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee. 
During  meetings  of  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration 
C o m m i t t e e ,   a l l   m e m b e r s   a c t i v e l y   p a r t i c i p a t e d   i n 
discussions  and  gave  guiding  opinions  on  the  proposals 
considered and discussed at the meetings.

Nomination  and  proposed  appointment  of  Directors  and 
senior  management  officers  of  the  Company  and  the 
Board  diversity  policy.  The  Company  firmly  believes 
that  the  Board  diversity  may  enhance  the  decision-
making  capability  of  the  Board,  and  considers  the  Board 
diversity as a key factor for maintaining a sound corporate 
governance  standard  and  achieving  the  sustainable 
development  of  the  Company.  In  accordance  with  the 
“Procedural  Rules  for  the  Nomination  and  Remuneration 
Committee  Meetings”  and  the  Board  diversity  policy, 
the  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  seriously 
reviewed  the  structure  of  the  Board,  its  number  of 
members  and  composition  (taking  into  account  diversity 
factors,  including  gender,  age,  cultural  and  educational 
background,  skills,  knowledge  and  experience),  fully 
reviewed  the  professional  qualifications  and  industrial 
background of the candidates for Directors and members 
of  the  Board  committees  and  the  independence  of 
Independent  Directors,  and  submitted  the  opinions  in 
relation  thereto  to  the  Board.  It  also  conducted  a  careful 
assessment  on  the  qualifications,  skills,  knowledge  and 
experience of candidates for senior management officers 
to ensure that the candidates met the requirements set by 
the Company, and submitted a review opinion to the Board 
and  agreed  to  submit  such  proposals  to  the  Board  for 

consideration. In 2020, the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee  reviewed  the  proposal  in  relation  to  the 
nomination  of  Mr.  Lam  Chi  Kuen  as  an  Independent 
Director  of  the  Company  after  fully  considering  the 
educational  background  of  Mr.  Lam  Chi  Kuen  and  his 
p r o f e s s i o n a l  e x p e r i e n c e  i n  f i n a n c e  a n d  t a k i n g  i n t o 
account  the  qualification  requirements  for  appointment 
of  members  of  the  specialized  Board  committees.  The 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee was of the view 
that the election of Mr. Lam Chi Kuen as an Independent 
D i r e c t o r   c o u l d   f u r t h e r   r e p l e n i s h   t h e   p r o f e s s i o n a l 
knowledge  of  the  Board  in  financial  management,  and 
contribute to the diversity of the Board.

Proposing  remuneration  policy  of  Directors,  Supervisors 
and  senior  management  officers  of  the  Company.  The 
Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  took  into 
account  various  factors  such  as  business  development 
m a n a g e m e n t ,  s t r a t e g i c  i n v e s t m e n t  d e c i s i o n s ,  a n d 
c o r p o r a t e   g o v e r n a n c e   m a n a g e m e n t   a n d   c o n t r o l , 
c a r e f u l l y   e x a m i n e d   a n d   d e t e r m i n e d   t h e   s p e c i f i c 
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  seriously  appraised  the  performance  of 
Directors in the discharge of their duties.

Carrying  out  the  performance  appraisal  of  Directors, 
Supervisors  and  senior  management  officers  of  the 
Company. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee 
reviewed  proposals  such  as  the  results  of  evaluating  the 
performance  of  duties  by  Directors  for  2019,  the  results 
of  performance  appraisal  of  senior  management  officers 
for  2019  and  the  performance  target  contract  of  senior 
management for 2020, the remuneration of Directors and 
Supervisors  of  the  Company,  and  the  remuneration  of 
senior  management  officers  of  the  Company,  and  made 
recommendations to the Board in respect of matters such 
as the determination of performance target, performance 
appraisal procedures and results.

93

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceRISK MANAGEMENT AND CONSUMER RIGHTS 
PROTECTION COMMITTEE
T h e   C o m p a n y   e s t a b l i s h e d   i t s   R i s k   M a n a g e m e n t 
C o m m i t t e e   o n   3 0   J u n e   2 0 0 3 .   I n   D e c e m b e r   2 0 1 9 , 
the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Change  to  the  Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection Committee 
of  the  Board  of  Directors”  was  considered  and  approved 
at  the  twenty-first  meeting  of  the  sixth  session  of 
the  Board,  pursuant  to  which  the  Risk  Management 
Committee  was  renamed  as  the  Risk  Management  and 
Consumer  Rights  Protection  Committee,  the  additional 
function  of  management  of  consumers’  rights  protection 
w a s  i n c l u d e d  i n  t h e  f u n c t i o n s  o f  t h e  o r i g i n a l  R i s k 
Management Committee, and corresponding changes and 
amendments  were  made  in  such  areas  as  the  functions 
and  responsibilities  of  the  committee  and  the  procedural 
rules  of  the  committee.  Currently,  the  Risk  Management 
and  Consumer  Rights  Protection  Committee  of  the  sixth 
session  of  the  Board  comprises  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie, 
an Independent Director, Mr. Li Mingguang, an Executive 
Director, and Mr. Wang Junhui5, a Non-executive Director, 
with  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie  acting  as  the  Chairperson. 
Due  to  the  adjustment  of  work  arrangements,  Mr.  Yin 
Zhaojun and Mr. Liu Huimin resigned from their positions 

as  members  of  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer 
Rights  Protection  Committee  of  the  sixth  session  of  the 
Board in January 2021 and February 2021, respectively.

The  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights  Protection 
Committee  is  mainly  responsible  for  formulating  the 
Company’s system of risk control benchmarks, establishing 
well-developed  risk  management  and  internal  control 
systems and the system for the management of consumer 
rights protection, examining and reviewing the Company’s 
risk  preference,  risk  tolerance  and  the  work  reports 
from  the  senior  management  and  the  Consumer  Rights 
Protection  Department,  formulating  the  Company’s  risk 
management  policy  and  major  policy  on  consumer  rights 
protection,  reviewing  the  assessment  reports  in  relation 
to  the  Company’s  risk  management  and  internal  control, 
studying  major  investigation  findings  on  risk  management 
and internal control matters as delegated by the Board or on 
its own initiative and the management’s response to these 
findings, dealing with major risk emergency events or crisis 
events  or  major  disagreement  in  risk  management,  and 
supervising  and  directing  the  senior  management  and  the 
relevant departments to resolve any issues identified during 
the rectification process in a timely manner.

Meetings and attendance

During  the  Reporting  Period,  three  meetings  were  held  by  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights  Protection 
Committee of the Board of the Company. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Liu Huimin

Yin Zhaojun

Li Mingguang

Independent Director, Chairperson of the Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Non-executive Director, member of the Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Non-executive Director, member of the Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Executive Director, member of the Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Number of
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

Note:  The number of meetings attended in person includes attending meetings by the Directors on-site and by telephone or video conference.

5  Mr. Wang Junhui served as a member of the Risk Management and Consumer Rights Protection Committee from February 2021.

94

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R e v i e w i n g  t h e  s y s t e m  o f  t h e  C o m p a n y  i n  r e l a t i o n 
t o   c o n s u m e r   r i g h t s   p r o t e c t i o n .   I n   2 0 2 0 ,   t h e   R i s k 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection Committee 
considered  and  approved  the  proposal  in  relation  to  the 
“Measures  for  the  Administration  of  Consumer  Rights 
Protection  of  the  Company  (for  Trial  Implementation)”, 
and submitted the review opinions to the Board.

STRATEGY AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
MANAGEMENT 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. 
In  June  2018,  the  proposal  to  establish  the  Strategy  and 
Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  on  the 
basis of the Strategy and Investment Decision Committee 
was reviewed and approved at the twenty-fourth meeting 
of  the  fifth  session  of  the  Board.  Currently,  the  Strategy 
and Assets and Liabilities Management Committee of the 
sixth session of the Board comprises Mr. Chang Tso Tung 
Stephen  and  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie,  the  Independent 
Directors,  Mr.  Su  Hengxuan,  an  Executive  Director,  and 
Mr.  Wang  Junhui,  a  Non-executive  Director,  with  Mr. 
Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen  acting  as  the  Chairman.  In 
April  2020,  Mr.  Zhao  Peng  resigned  from  his  position 
as  a  member  of  the  Strategy  and  Assets  and  Liabilities 
Management Committee of the sixth session of the Board 
due to the adjustment of work arrangements.

The  Strategy  and  Assets  and  Liabilities  Management 
Committee  is  mainly  responsible  for  the  drawing-up 
of  long-term  development  strategies  of  the  Company, 
conducting  studies  on  important  matters  concerning 
assets  and  liabilities  management  and  the  relevant 
policies  and  systems,  the  system  for  the  application  and 
management  of  insurance  funds,  and  major  strategic 
investment  decisions  of  the  Company,  and  making 
recommendations in respect thereof.

Performance of duties by the Risk Management 
and Consumer Rights Protection Committee

In  2020,  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights 
Protection Committee performed its duties and functions 
in  strict  compliance  with  the  “Procedural  Rules  for  the 
Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights  Protection 
Committee  Meetings”.  All  members  performed  their 
obligations  in  a  responsible  manner  and  reviewed  the 
proposals  in  relation  to  the  internal  control  system  of 
the  Company,  its  risk  management  and  construction 
i n   c o m p l i a n c e   w i t h   l a w .   D u r i n g   m e e t i n g s   o f   t h e 
Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights  Protection 
C o m m i t t e e ,   a l l   m e m b e r s   a c t i v e l y   p a r t i c i p a t e d   i n 
discussions  and  gave  guiding  opinions  on  the  proposals 
considered and discussed at the meetings.

Reviewing  the  risk  analysis  on  major  matters  concerning 
the business operation and management of the Company. 
In  2020,  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights 
Protection  Committee  reviewed  the  risk  analysis  on 
major  matters  concerning  the  business  operation  and 
management  of  the  Company,  reviewed  and  approved 
the  proposals  in  relation  to  the  risk  compliance  analysis 
on  the  asset  strategic  allocation  plan  for  the  years  from 
2021  to  2023  and  the  risk  compliance  analysis  on  the 
asset  allocation  plan  for  the  year  2021,  and  gave  guiding 
opinions on risk control for major matters concerning the 
business  operation  and  management  of  the  Company  in 
accordance with the regulatory requirements of the CBIRC 
on the China Risk Oriented Solvency System (C-ROSS).

Providing  its  opinions  for  the  review  of  the  proposals 
on  risk  management  to  the  Board.  In  2020,  the  Risk 
Management and Consumer Rights Protection Committee 
closely monitored and controlled and effectively prevented 
internal  and  external  risks  of  the  Company,  assisted  the 
Board  in  reviewing  the  assessment  reports  on  business 
risk  and  internal  control  of  the  Company  according  to 
the  regulatory  requirements  in  the  PRC  and  overseas. 
The  Risk  Management  and  Consumer  Rights  Protection 
Committee  provided  its  opinions  for  the  review  of  the 
reports  on  risk  management  such  as  the  work  summary 
on anti-money laundering for the year 2019 and the work 
plan for the year 2020, the statement of the Company on 
risk preference for the year 2020, the audit report on the 
solvency risk management system of the Company for the 
year  2020,  the  reputational  risk  management  report  and 
the  work  report  on  fraudulent  risk  management,  which 
offered  professional  support  to  the  Board’s  decision-
making in a scientific manner.

95

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMeetings and attendance

During the Reporting Period, four meetings were held by the Strategy and Assets and Liabilities Management Committee 
of the Board of the Company. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Chang Tso Tung Stephen

Su Hengxuan

Wang Junhui

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Independent Director, Chairman of the Strategy 
and Assets and Liabilities Management 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Executive Director, member of the Strategy 
and Assets and Liabilities Management 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Non-executive Director, member of 
the Strategy and Assets and Liabilities 
Management Committee of the sixth session 
of the Board

Independent Director, member of the Strategy 
and Assets and Liabilities Management 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Attendance records of the resigned Director at meetings are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Zhao Peng

Notes: 

Executive Director, member of the Strategy 
and Assets and Liabilities Management 
Committee of the sixth session of the Board

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

4/4

4/4

3/4

4/4

0/4

0/4

1/4

0/4

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

0/1

1/1

1.  The number of meetings attended in person includes attending meetings by the Directors on-site and by telephone or video conference.

2.  Directors who were unable to attend any meeting of specialized Board committees authorized other Directors to attend and vote at the meeting on their 

behalf.

96

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discussing  the  Company’s  development  plans  and  major 
strategic  projects.  In  2020,  the  Strategy  and  Assets 
and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  discussed  and 
reviewed  the  proposals  on  the  2019  assessment  report 
for  the  outline  of  the  13th  five-year  development  plan 
and the strategic asset allocation plan of the Company for 
the  years  from  2021  to  2023,  and  submitted  its  review 
opinions to the Board.

CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS CONTROL 
COMMITTEE

The  Company  established  its  Connected  Transactions 
Control Committee on 29 October 2019. In October 2019, 
the  “Proposal  in  relation  to  the  Establishment  of  the 
Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee  of  the  Board 
of Directors” was reviewed and approved at the twentieth 
meeting of the six session of the Board, pursuant to which 
a  new  Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee  was 
established  under  the  Board  of  the  Company.  Currently, 
the  Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee  of  the 
sixth  session  of  the  Board  comprises  Mr.  Tang  Xin, 
Mr.  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen,  Mr.  Robinson  Drake  Pike 
and  Ms.  Leung  Oi-Sie  Elsie,  the  Independent  Directors, 
with Mr. Tang Xin acting as the Chairman.

The  principal  duties  of  the  Connected  Transactions 
Control  Committee  are  to  confirm  connected  parties  of 
the  Company,  manage,  examine  and  approve  connected 
transactions  to  control  risks  relating  to  connected 
transactions,  and  focus  on  the  compliance  and  necessity 
of connected transactions and the fairness of their pricing, 
which provide an important basis for the Board’s decision-
making in connected transaction management.

Performance of duties by the Strategy and Assets 
and Liabilities Management Committee

In  2020,  all  members  of  the  Strategy  and  Assets  and 
Liabilities Management Committee attended meetings in a 
timely manner, reviewed the proposals on the application 
of  the  Company’s  insurance  funds,  annual  investments, 
major strategic projects, assets and liabilities management 
and annual related reports. Members of the Strategy and 
Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  diligently 
performed  their  duties.  During  meetings  of  the  Strategy 
and  Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee,  all 
members  actively  participated  in  discussions  and  gave 
professional  advices  on  any  proposals  considered  and 
discussed at the meetings.

Reviewing  annual  asset  allocation  plan  and  entrusted 
investments  of  the  Company.  In  2020,  the  Strategy  and 
Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  carefully 
reviewed  the  proposals  on  investment  plans  such  as 
the  annual  asset  allocation  plan  of  the  Company  and  the 
annual  investment  plan  of  the  Company  for  self-use  real 
estate, the proposals on authorization of investments such 
as the annual authorization by the Company of investment 
in  non  self-use  real  estate,  the  annual  authorization  of 
investment entrusted by the Company in connection with 
Renminbi  liberalization  and  the  annual  authorization  by 
the  Company  of  investment  in  equity  investment  funds, 
and  the  proposals  on  investment  guidelines  such  as  the 
management  guidelines  on  the  investment  made  by  CLI 
under  the  entrustment  of  the  Company.  The  Strategy 
and  Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  fully 
reviewed the above proposals and submitted its opinions 
to the Board in this regard.

Reviewing the systems of the Company concerning assets 
and  liabilities  management.  In  2020,  the  Strategy  and 
Assets  and  Liabilities  Management  Committee  reviewed 
and  approved  the  proposal  on  the  amendments  to  the 
measures  for  the  administration  of  investments  by  the 
Company  and  the  system  of  the  Company  concerning 
asset  allocation,  and  made  recommendations  to  the 
Board.

97

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceMeetings and attendance

During the Reporting Period, six meetings were held by the Connected Transactions Control Committee of the Board of 
the Company. Attendance records of individual members are as follows:

Name of member

Position

Tang Xin

Chang Tso Tung Stephen

Robinson Drake Pike

Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Independent Director, Chairman of the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Independent Director, member of the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee of 
the sixth session of the Board

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxies/
Number of 
meetings 
required 
to attend

6/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

0/6

0/6

0/6

0/6

Note: 

The number of meetings attended in person includes attending meetings by the Directors on-site and by telephone or video conference.

Performance of duties by the Connected 
Transactions Control Committee

In  2020,  the  Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee 
performed  its  duties  and  functions  in  strict  compliance 
w i t h   t h e   “ P r o c e d u r a l   R u l e s   f o r   t h e   C o n n e c t e d 
Transactions Control Committee Meetings”. All members 
performed  their  obligations  in  a  responsible  manner 
and  reviewed  the  proposals  in  relation  to  the  connected 
transactions  of  the  Company.  During  meetings  of  the 
Connected Transactions Control Committee, all members 
actively  participated  in  discussions  and  gave  guiding 
opinions on the proposals considered and discussed at the 
meetings.

R e v i e w i n g   c o n n e c t e d   t r a n s a c t i o n s .   I n   2 0 2 0 ,   t h e 
Connected Transactions Control Committee submitted to 
the Board its review opinions in respect of the proposals 
on  connected  transactions  regarding  the  investments  by 
the  Company  in  several  partnerships,  fully  discussed  the 
necessity,  feasibility  and  risks  of  the  projects  and  made 
important recommendations to the Board.

R e v i e w i n g  t h e  a m e n d m e n t s  t o  t h e  s y s t e m  o f  t h e 
C o m p a n y  i n  r e l a t i o n  t o  c o n n e c t e d  t r a n s a c t i o n s .  I n 
2020,  the  Connected  Transactions  Control  Committee 
c o n s i d e r e d   a n d   a p p r o v e d   t h e   p r o p o s a l   o n   t h e 
amendments  to  the  “Measures  for  the  Administration  of 
Connected Transactions of the Company”, and submitted 
the review opinions to the Board.

98

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMPANY FROM ITS 
CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND INCENTIVES 
FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Employees:  The  Company  is  independent  in  the  aspects 
of  employment,  human  resources  and  remuneration 
management.

A s s e t s :  T h e  C o m p a n y  o w n s  a l l  a s s e t s  r e l a t i n g  t o 
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  of  Directors  and  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  operate  separately.  There  is  no  subordinate 
relationship  between  such  internal  bodies  and  the 
functional  departments  of  the  Company’s  controlling 
shareholder.

B u s i n e s s  o p e r a t i o n s :  T h e  C o m p a n y  i n d e p e n d e n t l y 
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  all 
types of personal insurance services, consulting business 
and agency business, sale of securities investment funds, 
and  other  businesses  permitted  by  the  banking  and 
insurance administrative and regulatory authorities of the 
PRC.  The  Company  currently  possesses  the  “Insurance 
Company Legal Person Permit” (Number: 000005) issued 
by  the  CBIRC.  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.

The  Company  implements  a  term-of-service  and  target-
related  responsibility  system  for  senior  management. 
At  the  beginning  of  each  year,  performance  target 
contracts  will  be  entered  into  between  the  Chairman  of 
the  Board  and  the  President,  and  between  the  President 
and  other  senior  management  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  capability  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.

T h e   r e m u n e r a t i o n   f o r   s e n i o r   m a n a g e m e n t   m a i n l y 
comprises  position  compensation,  performance  rewards, 
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 Board 
of Supervisors deems necessary, or more than half of the 
Directors  (including  at  least  two  Independent  Directors) 
request,  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.

99

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate Governance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 Board Secretary or the Company 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

T h e   C o m p a n y   h a s   e s t a b l i s h e d   a   w e l l - d e v e l o p e d 
and  practical  information  disclosure  system  in  strict 
compliance  with  the  laws  and  regulations  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, and 
addressed hot issues as earlier as possible, which enabled 
domestic  and  overseas  investors  to  understand  the 
business operations of the Company in a timely manner.

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  order  to  ensure  the  timeliness, 
fairness,  truthfulness,  accuracy  and  completeness  of 
information disclosure. The Company constantly enhanced 
the quality of information disclosure, actively studied and 
improved  the  method  of  disclosure  of  key  information 
from the perspective of investors, especially the medium 
and  individual  investors,  to  enable  them  to  have  a 
deeper  understanding  of  the  Company’s  development 
strategies,  business  operations  and  major  issues.  The 
Company also optimized the layout of its periodic reports, 
increased  their  readability  by  various  means  such  as 
adding  charts  and  pictures  to  enable  investors  to  have  a 
clearer  understanding  of  the  core  business  operation  of 
the  Company.  The  Company  consistently  enriched  the 
information of its periodic and ad-hoc reports. During the 
Reporting Period, the Company disclosed the information 
of  the  “Dingxin  Project”  widely  concerned  by  investors 
and  its  milestone  achievements  in  a  timely  manner  by 
closely  tracking  the  progress  of  the  Company’s  reform 
for  development,  and  disclosed  for  the  first  time  the 
layout  of  sales  channels  after  the  formation  of  the  sales 
deployment  of  “Yi  Ti  Duo  Yuan”  and  the  premiums  from 
such channels, so as to ensure investors to obtain timely 
and  accurate  information  that  may  affect  their  value 
judgements and investment decisions. The Company also 
strengthened  the  implementation  of  the  basic  system 
of  information  disclosure,  regularly  organized  training 
courses relating to information disclosure and compliance, 
carried out timely study and promotion of regulatory rules 
of  its  listed  jurisdictions  in  the  PRC  and  overseas,  and 
explained  the  key  tasks  for  information  disclosure  and 
compliance  and  any  difficulties  therein.  The  Company 
strictly managed its inside information and carried out the 
registration  and  filing  procedures  on  persons  who  have 
knowledge of inside information in compliance with laws, 
strengthened  the  confidentiality  of  inside  information, 
and  safeguarded  the  legitimate  rights  and  interests 
of  investors,  with  a  view  to  maintaining  the  fairness, 
impartiality  and  openness  of  information  disclosure  of 
the Company. The Company was awarded Grade A in the 
assessment by the SSE on information disclosure for the 
year of 2019-2020.

100

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceIn  2020,  facing  the  unexpected  Covid-19  pandemic,  the 
Company  kept  abreast  with  the  development  pace  of 
technology  era  in  its  investor  relations,  and  consistently 
made innovation in its communications with and services 
to  investors,  which  constantly  enhanced  the  efficiency 
of  communication  between  the  Company  and  capital 
market  and  mitigated  the  negative  impacts  brought  by 
the  pandemic.  The  works  conducted  by  the  Company 
for  investor  relations  mainly  included  holding  general 
meetings, organizing open days, holding results briefings, 
embarking  on  global  non-deal  roadshows,  holding  online 
and  offline  conferences  with  investors  and  analysts, 
attending  investors’  meetings,  frequently  updating 
information  on  its  investor  relations  website,  and  timely 
responding  to  enquiries  from  investors  and  analysts.  In 
2020,  due  to  the  impact  of  the  pandemic,  the  Company 
held an annual results briefing fully online for the first time 
since  its  listing  and  organized  a  global  online  business 
roadshow  across  America,  Europe,  Asia  and  Oceania. 
Looking  back  to  2020,  the  Company  communicated  with 
more  than  8,900  investors  and  analysts,  including  more 
than  5,100  investors  who  attended  results  briefings  and 
open days online and offline. The Company held over 280 
online  and  offline  meetings  with  approximately  2,300 
investors  and  analysts  for  the  year,  and  communicated 
with  more  than  1,400  institutional  investors  by  attending 
a   t o t a l   o f   4 9   i n v e s t o r s ’   m e e t i n g s   h e l d   l o c a l l y   o r 
internationally. It also communicated with more than 160 
investors  in  non-deal  roadshows  for  annual  and  interim 
results.  In  addition,  the  Company  kept  in  close  contact 
with  investors  by  various  means  such  as  phone  and 
internet.  Within  the  year,  the  Company  corresponded 
more  than  2,000  emails,  answered  more  than  310  calls 
and  emails,  and  recorded  a  click-through  rate  of  28,000 
viewers  for  the  live  video  streaming  of  results  briefings 
and open days.

I n   t h e   a n n u a l   a s s e s s m e n t   a n d   s e l e c t i o n   h e l d   b y 
Institutional  Investor,  the  Company  won  the  award  of 
the  “Most  Respected  Company  in  Asia”.  It  also  made 
a  record  of  being  named  in  all  the  top  six  lists  for  the 
insurance  sector,  including  the  “Best  President/Chief 
Executive  Officer  (number  2)”,  the  “Best  Chief  Financial 
O f f i c e r  ( n u m b e r  2 ) ” ,  t h e  “ B e s t  I n v e s t o r  R e l a t i o n s 
Manager (number 1)”, the “Best Investor Relations Team 
(number 1)”, the “Best Investor Relations Implementation 
Project  (number  2)”,  and  the  “Best  Environmental, 
Social  and  Governance  (number  3)”.  In  the  assessment 
and  selection  of  the  “3rd  Session  of  Best  IR  of  Hong 
Kong  Listed  Companies  Awards”  organized  by  New 
Fortune Magazine, the Company was awarded the “New 
Fortune  Best  IR  of  Hong  Kong  Listed  Company”.  In  the 
assessment and selection of the “China Securities Golden 
Bauhinia  Awards”  jointly  organized  by  Hong  Kong  Tai 

Kung  Wen  Wei  Media  Group  with  the  Listed  Companies 
Association of Beijing, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises 
Association,  the  Chinese  Securities  Association  of  Hong 
Kong, the Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong, the 
Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries, Hong Kong 
Securities  Professionals  Association  and  China  Merger 
and  Acquisitions  Association  (Hong  Kong)  Limited,  the 
Company  was  awarded  the  “Best  Investor  Relations  of 
Listed Company”. In the assessment and selection of the 
“4th  Session  of  Excellent  IR  in  China”  jointly  organized 
by  Roadshow  China  and  Excellent  IR,  the  Company  was 
awarded  the  “Best  Communication  with  the  Capital 
Market  Award”,  the  “Best  Digital  Investor  Relations 
Award” and the “Best Leader Award”, and was nominated 
by  the  IR  Magazine,  a  global  magazine  for  investor 
relations,  for  the  2020  Excellent  Award  for  the  Greater 
China Region.

CHANGES OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

During  the  Reporting  Period,  the  Company  did  not  make 
any amendments to the Articles of Association.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

T h e  C o m p a n y  h a s  c o n s i s t e n t l y  c o m p l i e d  w i t h  t h e 
regulatory requirements of relevant regulatory authorities, 
such  as  the  SSE,  the  HKSE,  the  U.S.  Securities  and 
Exchange  Commission  (the  “SEC”)  and  the  New  York 
Stock  Exchange,  with  respect  to  corporate  internal 
control.

Internal Control

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 Section 404 of the “U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act”,  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  CBIRC,  the  Company  has  carried  out  a  lot 
of  work  on  its  internal  control  system  establishment, 
rules  implementation  and  risk  management  by  strictly 
f o l l o w i n g  i t s  c o r p o r a t e  g o v e r n a n c e  s t r u c t u r e .  T h e 
Company  has  also  formulated  and  issued  the  “Internal 
Control  Implementation  Manual  of  China  Life  Insurance 
Company  Limited  (2020  Edition)”  to  strengthen  the 
implementation  of  internal  control  standards  and  internal 
control  assessments,  and  actively  promoted  the  culture 
and  philosophy  of  internal  control,  thereby  continuously 
enhancing the internal control of the Company.

101

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernancePursuant to the requirements of the “Notice on the Proper 
Preparation  for  Disclosure  of  2020  Annual  Reports  of 
Companies Listed on the Main Board” and the “Business 
Guide  for  the  Periodic  Reports  of  Listed  Companies” 
promulgated  by  the  SSE,  the  Company  shall  release  an 
Internal  Control  Self-assessment  Report  simultaneously 
with the publication of its 2020 annual report. Meanwhile, 
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  2020  in  its  Form  20-F  (U.S.  Annual 
Report)  to  be  submitted  to  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  2020.  Such  assessments 
are  conducted  on  an  annual  basis  and  in  two  stages, 
namely, interim assessment and supplementary test. The 
Company  has  confirmed  after  the  assessments  that  its 
internal  controls  were  effective.  The  Company  has  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  2020. 
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 to 
be 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 Board of Supervisors supervises 
the internal control assessments performed by the Board. 
The  Company  has  established  the  Risk  Management 
Department  in  its  headquarters  and  branches.  The 
C o m p a n y  a l s o  c o n d u c t s  t e s t s  o n  t h e  m a n a g e m e n t 
level,  assesses  the  effectiveness  of  the  established  and 
implemented internal control systems in accordance with 
the  regulatory  requirements  of  the  jurisdictions  where 
the Company is listed, and reports to the Board, the Audit 
Committee and the management.

In  compliance  with  regulatory  requirements  and  having 
c o n s i d e r e d  t h e  c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s  o f  i t s  b u s i n e s s  a n d 
management requirements, the Company has 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. By strictly complying with relevant PRC laws and 
regulations as well as the internal rules and regulations of 
the  Company,  the  quality  of  accounting  information  has 
been improved.

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,  such  as  individual  insurance,  bancassurance, 
group  insurance  and  health  insurance.  This  internal 
control  system  regulates  the  relevant  authorizations 
a n d  o p e r a t i o n a l  w o r k f l o w s ,  a n d  e f f e c t i v e l y  a d o p t s 
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  insurance  preservation. 
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.

In  accordance  with  relevant  laws  and  regulations  such 
as  the  “Accounting  Law  of  the  People’s  Republic  of 
China”  and  the  “Enterprise  Accounting  Standards”  and 
taking  into  account  the  needs  of  the  Company  for  its 
business  development,  operation  and  management,  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”. 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.

102

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceThe  Company  has  formulated  the  “Measures  on  the 
Administration  of  the  Accountability  System  for  Major 
Errors  in  Periodic  Report  Disclosures  of  China  Life 
Insurance  Company  Limited”,  which  set  forth  provisions 
governing  the  basic  responsibilities  of  periodic  report 
disclosures, the major errors in periodic report disclosures 
and  the  responsibility  attribution.  As  at  31  December 
2020,  there  has  been  no  major  error  in  periodic  report 
disclosures  of  the  Company.  In  order  to  enhance  the 
confidentiality  of  its  inside  information  and  regulate  the 
collection,  management  and  reporting  of  its  material 
information, the Company has formulated the “Measures 
for  the  Administration  of  Persons  Who  Have  Knowledge 
of  Inside  Information  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company 
Limited”  and,  after  taking  into  account  the  regulatory 
requirements, revised the “Rules for the Administration of 
Information  Disclosure  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company 
Limited”  and  the  “System  of  Internal  Reporting  of 
Material  Information  of  China  Life  Insurance  Company 
Limited”  in  2018.  In  particular,  the  internal  report  on 
material  information  has  been  included  in  the  indicator 
system under the internal control report of the Company. 
Persons  responsible  for  reporting  material  information 
(including  all  departments,  branches,  subsidiaries  and 
affiliates  of  the  Company,  the  controlling  shareholder 
and  the  shareholders  holding  over  5%  of  shares  of 
the  Company)  obtain  and  identify  potential  material 
information  at  the  level  of  operation  and  management 
by  making  use  of  various  information  technologies,  and 
submit  and  report  such  information  to  the  President  and 
the  Board  of  the  Company  as  earlier  as  possible.  The 
Board then makes the final decision on whether to release 
the material information, and discloses the same to such 
extent as it considers reasonable and practicable.

The  Company  has  established  a  well-developed  system 
relating  to  investment  decisions  in  accordance  with  the 
relevant  laws  and  regulations  and  based  on  the  actual 
situation of investment management. The system defines 
the  approval  and  decision-making  authority,  authorization 
mechanism  and  specific  decision-making  procedures  for 
investment  management.  All  major  investment  decisions 
shall  be  approved  and  implemented  in  strict  compliance 
with the internal decision-making process of the Company 
and  the  requirements  of  its  investment  management 
system.  The  Investment  Decisions  Committee  is  a 
permanent body of the Company for investment decisions, 
which is responsible for reviewing major investments and 
providing  support  to  any  investment  decisions  made  by 
the management.

T h e   C o m p a n y   h a s   e s t a b l i s h e d   a   c o m p r e h e n s i v e 
information  technology  system  to  cover  all  aspects  of 
IT  work  and  formed  a  closed-loop  control  mechanism 
focusing  on  centralized  review  and  publication,  periodic 
inspection  and  continuous  improvement.  By  conducting 
measures such as the inspection and evaluation of system 
implementation  on  a  regular  basis,  the  Company  has 
facilitated  the  effective  implementation  of  the  system 
and  enhanced  the  standardization  and  normalization  of 
various  IT  work.  Further,  the  Company  has  constantly 
promoted the construction of the systems of information 
safety and risk control, and formulated and implemented a 
series of effective information safety control measures at 
various stages of the life cycle of the IT system, thereby 
effectively  ensuring  the  safe  and  steady  operation  of 
the  Company.  In  2020,  the  Company  conducted  several 
internal  and  external  risk  assessments  to  promote 
construction  by  inspection,  with  a  view  to  consistently 
enhancing  its  capability  of  managing  information  safety 
risks.

103

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceThe Risk Management Department, the Audit Department 
a n d  t h e  L e g a l  a n d  C o m p l i a n c e  D e p a r t m e n t  o f  t h e 
C o m p a n y  a r e  r e s p o n s i b l e  f o r  t h e  s u p e r v i s i o n  a n d 
inspection of its internal control measures. The Company 
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, 
e n h a n c e  l e g a l  c o m p l i a n c e  a n d  p u r s u e  r e s p o n s i b l e 
persons.  In  2020,  the  Company  actively  adapted  to  the 
stringent regulatory environment in the PRC and overseas 
financial industry and strictly complied with the regulatory 
requirements  to  constantly  improve  the  organizational 
structure  of  internal  audit  and  further  strengthen  the 
m e c h a n i s m  f o r  i n t e r n a l  a u d i t  m a n a g e m e n t ,  w h i c h 
effectively  performed  the  supervisory  role  of  audit.  The 
Company carried out the economic responsibility audit on 
managers at all levels, performed a series of special audits 
closely related to the Company’s reform for development, 
and  conducted  a  variety  of  regular  audits  on  anti-money 
laundering,  connected  transactions,  assets  and  liabilities 
management,  solvency  system  construction,  internal 
control over the application of insurance funds, IT system, 
compliance  of  intermediary  business,  and  anti-insurance 
fraud  management  pursuant  to  regulatory  requirements. 
Meanwhile,  the  Company  has  put  more  efforts  on  the 
application of audit results, and played a proactive role to 
supervise  and  direct  the  implementation  of  rectification 
measures for any issues identified in audit, facilitating the 
standardized  management  and  compliance  operation  of 
the  Company.  The  Company  has  formulated  regulations 
with  respect  to  the  reporting,  investigation,  handling 
of  and  responsibility  attribution  for  cases  involving 
any  violations  of  laws  and  regulations  by  employees, 
each  being  implemented  by  the  Legal  and  Compliance 
Department,  which  ensures  that  cases  involving  any 
violations  of  laws  and  regulations  by  employees  are 
handled  in  a  timely  manner,  and  the  persons  involved 
will  be  attributed  to  proper  responsibility.  The  Legal 
and  Compliance  Department  reports  the  criminal  cases 
involving  practitioners  and  manages  the  responsibility 
attribution  of  such  cases  in  accordance  with  regulations 
such as the “Measures for the Administration of Criminal 
Cases  Involving  Banking  and  Insurance  Institutions  (for 
Trial  Implementation)”  issued  by  the  CBIRC  and  internal 
policies  such  as  the  “Measures  for  the  Administration 
of  Criminal  Cases  (for  Trial  Implementation)”  and  the 
“Implementing  Rules  for  Responsibility  Attribution  of 
Cases”.  The  Company  has  constantly  optimized  three 
lines of defense for compliance management to establish 
an  efficient  compliance  management  system,  with  a 
view  to  identifying,  guarding  against  and  mitigating 
m a t e r i a l  c o m p l i a n c e  r i s k s .  T h e  C o m p a n y  h a s  a l s o 

fostered  the  concept  of  compliance  creating  value,  and 
promoted  a  good  interaction  between  the  compliance 
management  functional  department  of  the  Company  and 
external  regulators,  with  a  view  to  enhancing  the  overall 
compliance  management  standard  of  the  Company  and 
ensuring  the  achievement  of  its  goal  of  high-quality 
development.

Risk Management

Risk Management System

The  Company  has  established  an  organizational  system 
for  comprehensive  risk  management  with  the  ultimate 
responsibility  assumed  by  the  Board,  under  the  direct 
l eaders hi p  of  t he  m anag em ent ,  ha v i ng  re l i ance  o n 
the  risk  management  departments  and  with  the  close 
cooperation  among  the  relevant  functional  departments, 
and  developed  a  5-tier  organizational  structure  for  risk 
management  covering  the  corporate  governance  level, 
the  headquarters  level,  the  provincial  branches  level,  the 
local  or  city  branches  level,  and  the  county  sub-branches 
level.  With  the  reliance  on  the  5-tier  risk  management 
and  control  structure,  the  Company  has  put  in  place 
three  lines  of  defense  that  focus  on  risk  management: 
the  first  line  of  defense  consists  of  branches  and  sub-
branches  at  all  levels  and  various  functional  departments 
that  identify,  assess,  address,  monitor  and  report  risks 
at  the  front  end  of  business;  the  second  line  of  defense 
is  composed  of  the  Risk  Management  and  Consumer 
Rights Protection Committee of the Board, as well as the 
Risk  Management  Committee  and  the  Risk  Management 
Department of the Company that take lead in formulating 
the  system,  standard  and  limit  for  a  variety  of  risks  and 
make  recommendations  to  address  such  risks;  the  third 
line  of  defense  comprises  the  Audit  Committee  of  the 
Board,  as  well  as  the  internal  audit  department,  the 
Office  of  the  Discipline  Inspection  Committee  and  other 
departments  of  the  Company  that  supervise  the  risk 
management  workflows  established  by  the  Company 
and  the  procedures  and  actions  for  control  of  various 
risks.  The  three  lines  of  defense  have  been  coordinated 
with  each  other  in  a  proactive  manner  to  organize  and 
commence  any  work  in  relation  to  risk  management. 
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.

104

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceWork in relation to Risk Management

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  CBIRC  on  the  China 
Risk  Oriented  Solvency  System  (C-ROSS),  the  Company 
pushed  forward  the  establishment  of  a  solvency  risk 
management system, and built a “1+7+N” comprehensive 
risk  management  system  with  the  “Comprehensive  Risk 
Management  Rules”  as  the  general  principles,  seven 
types  of  risks  (including  insurance  risk,  market  risk, 
credit  risk,  operational  risk,  strategic  risk,  reputation 
risk  and  liquidity  risk)  as  the  key  focuses,  and  having 
reliance  on  a  series  of  implementing  rules  for  business 
such  as  the  “Measures  for  the  Administration  of  Risk 
Preference System”. The Company actively implemented 
key  risk  monitoring  and  risk  pre-warning  classification 
management, and consistently reinforced the mechanism 
for  formation,  transmission  and  application  of  the  risk 
preference system, which created a system for the normal 
management  of  risk  preference  with  the  statement  on 
risk  preference  as  the  carrier,  and  the  risk  tolerance  and 
limit  indicators  as  the  focus.  Through  the  combination 
of  risk  preference  with  various  lines  of  operation  and 
management, the Company maintained a good interaction 
between  risk  management  and  business  development. 
The  Company  conducts  a  self-assessment  on  solvency 
risk management capability every year so as to assess all 
work  in  relation  to  risk  management  in  two  dimensions: 
the soundness of the system and the effectiveness of its 
implementation.  The  Company  took  specific  rectification 
measures against its own shortcomings and weaknesses, 
which  helped  enhanced  its  risk  management  standard  in 
all aspects.

The  Company  consistently  followed  the  requirements 
under  anti-money  laundering  laws  and  regulations, 
kept  on  improving  the  system  for  money-laundering 
risk  management  and  performed  legal  responsibilities 
including  client  identity  verification,  documentation  of 
client identity information and transaction records, money 
laundering  risk  classification  and  report  of  large  sums 
and  suspicious  transaction  data.  Meanwhile,  pursuant  to 
external regulatory requirements, the Company conducted 
special  governance  on  illegal  fund-raising  activities  and 
carried  out  the  self-inspection  and  rectification  in  key 
risk  areas,  which  effectively  improved  the  Company’s 
precaution capability in key risk areas.

I n   2 0 2 0 ,   t h e   C o m p a n y   v i g o r o u s l y   p r o m o t e d   t h e 
informatization  of  risk  management,  actively  applied 
the  latest  advanced  technologies  such  as  big  data  and 
artificial  intelligence,  and  further  promoted  the  intelligent 
a p p l i c a t i o n  o f  a n t i - m o n e y  l a u n d e r i n g ,  t h u s  m a k i n g 
significant  breakthroughs  in  the  intelligent  identification 
of  illegal  fund-raising  risks,  monitoring  of  sale  risk 
p r e - w a r n i n g ,  a n d  r i s k  m a n a g e m e n t  d a t a  m a r t .  T h e 
informatization and intellectualization of risk management 
improved significantly, and the risk management capability 
of  the  Company  reached  a  new  level,  which  provided  a 
strong  support  to  the  high-quality  development  of  the 
Company.

Risk Identification and Control

The major risks of the Company in the course of operation 
and  management  include  insurance  risk,  market  risk, 
credit  risk,  operational  risk,  strategic  risk,  reputation  risk, 
liquidity risk and information safety risk.

Insurance Risk

Insurance  risk  refers  to  the  risk  that  exposes  insurance 
companies  to  unexpected  losses  due  to  the  adverse 
deviation  of  the  actual  situation  from  the  projections  of 
assumptions  such  as  loss  ratio,  expense  rate  and  lapse 
rate.

The  Company  assessed  and  monitored  insurance  risks 
through  sensitivity  analysis  and  other  actuarial  appraisal 
m e t h o d s ,  w i t h  a  f o c u s  o n  t h e  i m p a c t  o f  m o r t a l i t y 
r a t e ,  m o r b i d i t y  r a t e ,  l a p s e  r a t e  a n d  o t h e r  r e l e v a n t 
a s s u m p t i o n s  o n  t h e  C o m p a n y ’ s  o p e r a t i n g  r e s u l t s . 
The  Company  managed  insurance  risks  through  the 
following  mechanisms  and  processes:  (1)  establishing 
an  organizational  structure  and  a  system  for  insurance 
risk  management,  so  that  insurance  risk  management 
can  be  performed  within  a  scientific,  comprehensive  and 
effective  management  system;  (2)  devising  a  system  for 
risk  limit  indicators  and  carrying  out  normal  monitoring 
analysis, so as to contain risks within a controllable range; 
(3)  implementing  an  effective  product  development  and 
management  system  to  strictly  control  product  pricing 
risks, and strengthening empirical analysis to offer support 
to  pricing  assumptions  and  assessing  assumptions,  in 
order  to  prevent  and  control  insurance  risks  from  the 
front  end  of  products;  (4)  effectively  guarding  against 
adverse  selection  risks  and  insurance  frauds  through  the 
establishment  and  implementation  of  a  well-developed 
system  for  verification  of  insurance  policies  and  claims, 
as  well  as  the  practical  operation  regulations;  and  (5) 
transferring  and  mitigating  insurance  risk  through  a 
scientific and reasonable reinsurance arrangement.

105

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceCredit Risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that exposes the Company to 
unexpected losses due to non-performance or delay in the 
performance of contractual obligations by counterparties, 
or adverse changes in their credit standings.

The  credit  risks  that  the  Company  is  exposed  to  mainly 
relate  to  investment  deposits,  bond  investments,  non-
standard  financial  product  investments  and  reinsurance 
arrangements, etc.

Credit Risk of Investment Business

To  address  the  credit  risks  of  investment  business, 
the  Company  developed  and  continuously  improved 
the  organizational  structure  of  credit  risk  management, 
and  constantly  optimized  the  process  for  credit  risk 
management.  Meanwhile,  the  Company  established 
and  made  amendments  to  the  management  system 
and  strengthened  the  implementation  of  such  system 
pursuant to the regulatory requirements and management 
practices;  strengthened  the  research  on  risks  and  kept 
on  improving  risk  analysis,  assessment,  monitoring,  pre-
warning  and  emergency  response  standard.  By  relying 
on  information  technology,  the  Company  consistently 
e n h a n c e d  t h e  s t a n d a r d  o f  q u a n t i t a t i v e  a n a l y s i s  o n 
credit  risks  and  diversified  the  methods  used  for  risk 
management and control. The Company primarily adopted 
the  following  measures  in  2020:  (1)  facilitating  the 
implementation  of  centralized  credit  rating  projects  to 
enhance the credit risk management standard; (2) carrying 
out credit risk limit management in multiple dimensions, in 
order to enhance the level of preventing credit risks prior 
to  investment;  (3)  strengthening  the  monitoring  of  credit 
risk indicators for the purposes of indicating risk exposure 
and any change of risk distribution in an effective manner 
and  closely  tracking  down  negative  information;  and  (4) 
stepping up efforts on the research and feasibility study of 
any industries and sectors for key investment to enhance 
the  capability  of  the  Company  in  risk  management  and 
control during and after investment.

After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the 
Company  took  prompt  actions  to  offer  comprehensive 
insurance  protection  for  its  customers  and  continued  to 
monitor  related  insurance  risks  through  its  convenient 
online  customer  services.  So  far,  there  has  been  limited 
impact  of  the  Covid-19  pandemic  on  the  insurance  risks 
of  the  Company.  The  Company  managed  insurance  risks 
in  a  regulated  and  orderly  manner,  with  sufficient  and 
reasonable  provisions  of  minimum  capital  for  insurance 
risks. The Company will continuously keep a watch on the 
development trend of insurance risks and further enhance 
its capability of managing insurance risks.

Market Risk

Market risk refers to the risk that exposes the Company to 
unexpected losses due to adverse movement in (amongst 
others) interest rate, equity prices, real estate prices and 
exchange rate.

In  order  to  address  the  market  risks,  the  Company 
continued to pay attention to the risk exposures of interest 
rate,  equity  prices,  real  estate  prices  and  exchange  rate, 
monitored  value  at  risk/mark  to  market  (VaR/MTM),  yield 
volatility,  duration  and  other  key  market  risk  indicators 
on  a  regular  basis,  set  up  a  2-tier  risk  limit  indicator  and 
corresponding  threshold  values,  carried  out  sensitivity 
analysis and stress test to measure the risk losses to the 
Company under stress scenarios and gave pre-warning of 
market risks. Currently, the proportion of each investment 
asset  is  in  line  with  the  requirements  of  the  CBIRC  and 
the  internal  management  provisions  of  the  Company. 
According  to  the  results  of  the  risk  indicator  monitoring 
and  stress  test,  the  market  risk  of  the  Company  was 
within a normal controllable range. The Company primarily 
adopted  the  following  risk  control  measures  in  2020: 
(1)  stepping  up  efforts  on  the  study  of  macro  economy, 
currency  and  financial  policies  to  assess  domestic  and 
international  economic  and  market  trends  in  a  timely 
manner;  (2)  reviewing  the  risks  of  major  assets  and  the 
characteristics  of  their  returns  on  a  regular  basis,  so  as 
to  constantly  optimize  the  model  of  assets  allocation; 
(3) carrying out the effective management of open market 
equity  exposure  and  making  reasonable  allocations; 
(4) increasing investment in interest rate bonds with long 
duration  when  appropriate  opportunities  arose,  with  a 
view  to  extending  the  duration  of  assets  and  narrowing 
the  gap  arising  from  the  duration  mismatch  of  assets 
and liabilities; and (5) conducting analyses on investment 
risks  with  the  aid  of  the  new  system  for  investment  risk 
management and the ancillary quantitative analysis tools, 
and meanwhile enhancing risk monitoring and pre-warning 
to strengthen risk emergency management.

106

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceReinsurance Risk

Reinsurance  credit  risk  refers  to  the  credit  risk  that  may 
possibly  be  faced  by  the  Company  in  connection  with 
the  obligations  to  be  undertaken  by  reinsurers  due  to 
their failure to perform reinsurance contracts. To address 
the  reinsurance  credit  risks,  the  Company  adopted  the 
following  measures:  (1)  properly  setting  self-retained 
risk  limits  through  an  effective  reinsurance  management 
system,  and  using  reinsurance  as  an  effective  tool  to 
transfer  risks  to  reinsurers  with  a  high  level  of  solvency; 
(2)  reviewing  the  relevant  information  of  a  reinsurer  in 
the  reinsurance  registration  system  in  strict  compliance 
with  the  regulatory  requirements  prior  to  the  execution 
of  a  reinsurance  contract  to  ensure  that  the  reinsurer 
in  cooperation  with  the  Company  satisfies  with  the 
regulatory  requirements;  and  (3)  conducting  credit 
assessment on reinsurers through internal rating to select 
reinsurers  that  have  higher  credit  standing  to  mitigate 
credit risks.

a  loss  data  room  for  operational  risks  to  carry  out  the 
loss  data  collection  and  analysis  of  operational  risks  on 
a  regular  basis;  (3)  establishing  a  key  indicator  room 
for  operational  risks  to  organize  regular  monitoring  of 
any  risks  that  may  cause  losses  and  to  take  relevant 
control  measures  against  them;  (4)  conducting  self-
assessments  on  the  operational  risk  management  and 
effect on a regular basis and identifying any issues in the 
management and control of operational risks, with a view 
to  constantly  increasing  the  capability  of  the  Company 
in  operational  risk  management;  and  (5)  promoting  a 
culture  of  operational  risk  management  by  organizing 
and  conducting  training  courses  on  operational  risk 
management.  In  2020,  the  operational  risk  management 
was  satisfactory,  and  losses  from  operational  risks 
were  controllable.  With  the  continual  improvement  of 
the  operational  risk  control  system,  the  management 
f o u n d a t i o n   o f   t h e   C o m p a n y   w a s   s t r e n g t h e n e d 
consistently.

Operational Risk

Strategic Risk

Operational  risk  refers  to  the  risk  of  direct  or  indirect 
losses  arising  from  incomplete  internal  operational 
processes, personnel, systems or external events.

The  Company  consistently  implemented  regulatory 
requirements  and  its  operational  risk  management 
strategies,  optimized  the  operational  risk  management 
system,  and  regulated  the  operational  risk  management 
p r o c e s s e s ,  s o  a s  t o  e n h a n c e  t h e  e f f e c t i v e n e s s  o f 
operational  risk  management  policies,  systems  and 
process management on an ongoing basis. The Company 
established  an  operational  risk  management  system 
that  combines  three  management  tools,  namely  self-
assessment  of  operational  risk  and  its  control,  loss 
data  room  for  operational  risks  and  key  risk  indicators 
monitoring,  and  further  reinforced  the  operational  risk 
management  at  all  levels  of  branches,  so  as  to  facilitate 
the  vertical  expansion  of  operational  risk  management 
network.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  Company  reported 
operational  risk  governance  to  the  senior  management 
o n   a   q u a r t e r l y   b a s i s .   T h e   o p e r a t i o n a l   r i s k   c o n t r o l 
measures  adopted  by  the  Company  mainly  included  the 
following:  (1)  carrying  out  the  classification  management 
for  operational  risk  and  developing  an  operational  risk 
management  process  compatible  with  the  nature,  scale 
and  risk  characteristics  of  the  Company’s  business, 
i n c l u d i n g  t h e  i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ,  a s s e s s m e n t ,  c o n t r o l , 
monitoring  and  reporting  mechanisms;  (2)  establishing 

Strategic  risk  refers  to  the  risk  of  mismatch  between 
strategies,  market  conditions  and  capabilities  of  the 
C o m p a n y   a r i s i n g   f r o m   i n e f f e c t i v e   f o r m u l a t i o n   o r 
implementation  of  strategies  or  changes  in  operational 
environment.

The  Company  set  up  a  relatively  well-developed  system 
for  strategic  risk  management,  and  established  an 
organizational  system  for  strategic  risk  management 
with  the  ultimate  responsibility  assumed  by  the  Board, 
under  the  direct  leadership  of  the  management  and 
with  the  division  of  labour  and  collaboration  among 
the  relevant  functional  departments.  By  taking  into  full 
account  of  various  factors  such  as  market  conditions, 
risk  preference  and  capital  position,  the  Company  made 
planning  for  its  medium-  and  long-term  development 
and  put  the  same  into  practice  in  annual  business  plans 
and  work  plans,  so  as  to  strengthen  the  formulation, 
a p p r o v a l ,  i m p l e m e n t a t i o n  a n d  e v a l u a t i o n  o f  w h o l e 
process  management  of  strategic  and  development 
planning.  The  Company  also  created  an  indicator  system 
for  the  daily  monitoring  of  strategic  risks  to  monitor  and 
analyze  strategic  risks  on  a  regular  basis,  which  ensured 
an  effective  execution  of  the  Company’s  strategic  risk 
management.  In  2020,  the  soundness  of  the  Company’s 
strategic  risk  management  system  and  the  effectiveness 
of its implementation were maintained.

107

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceReputation Risk

Information Safety Risk

Rep ut a tion  risk  refers  to  the  ri s k  o f  l o s se s  d ue  to 
t h e  n e g a t i v e  c o m m e n t s  t o  t h e  C o m p a n y  f r o m  t h e 
stakeholders arising from the operation and management 
of  the  Company  or  external  events.  Reputation  risk 
may  exist  in  all  aspects  of  operation  and  management, 
including corporate governance, product design, sales and 
promotion,  claim  services,  application  of  capital,  client 
complaints, petition through letters and visits and stability 
maintenance,  information  safety,  remuneration  plans, 
personnel management and information disclosure.

The  Company  established  a  system  for  reputation  risk 
management  to  define  the  organizational  structure  and 
responsibilities  of  reputation  risk  management  in  strict 
compliance  with  the  regulatory  requirements.  Further, 
the  Company  developed  a  mechanism  for  the  evaluation 
and  responsibility  attribution  of  reputation  risks,  and 
optimized  the  processes  covering  the  identification 
a n d  e x - a n t e  e v a l u a t i o n ,  m o n i t o r i n g ,  r e s p o n s e  a n d 
disposal,  reporting,  and  rectification  of  reputation  risk. 
By  leveraging  on  technologies,  the  Company  enhanced 
the  intellectualization  of  reputation  risk  management  to 
promptly  identify  reputation  risk  events  and  give  pre-
warning  in  respect  thereof.  The  Company  also  continued 
to  offer  training  courses  and  exercises  on  reputation  risk 
management to raise the risk awareness of all employees, 
which  helped  enhance  its  risk  response  capability.  In 
2020,  the  Company  constantly  made  improvements  to 
its system for reputation risk management, strengthened 
coordinated  management  between  client  complaints  and 
reputation  risks,  focused  on  source  management,  and 
took  proper  measures  against  such  risk.  As  a  result,  no 
major reputation risk events have occurred for the year.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk refers to the risk that the Company does not 
have  access  to  sufficient  funds  in  time  or  at  reasonable 
costs to meet its liabilities or other payment obligations as 
they become due.

The  Company  established  a  system  for  liquidity  risk 
management  to  define  the  organizational  structure  and 
responsibilities  of  liquidity  risk  management.  Further, 
the  Company  developed  the  processes  covering  the 
identification,  evaluation,  monitoring,  response  and 
disposal,  reporting,  and  rectification  of  liquidity  risk,  and 
organized  regular  emergency  exercises  on  liquidity  risks. 
Overall, the liquidity risk of the Company was insignificant. 
The Company will constantly step up its effort on liquidity 
risk management pursuant to the regulatory requirements 
and  its  own  regulations  to  ensure  the  performance  of  its 
obligation and give insurance benefits as scheduled.

Information  safety  risk  refers  to  the  operational,  legal 
and  reputation  risks  caused  by  natural  factors,  human 
factors,  technological  loopholes  or  management  defects 
in  the  process  of  applying  information  technology  in  the 
Company.

The  Company  attached  great  importance  to  information 
safety  risk  management.  Firstly,  the  Company  set  up 
organizations to offer protection for information safety. It 
established the information safety functional departments 
at  the  headquarters  and  provincial  levels  for  performing 
the duty of information safety management at each level. 
Secondly,  the  Company  developed  various  systems 
and  strictly  implemented  such  systems  to  ensure  the 
standardization  of  information  management.  Thirdly,  the 
Company optimized the safety management requirements 
for the full life cycle of its IT system. By conducting safety 
tests and quality checks on the IT system before and after 
it  was  put  online,  the  Company  consistently  enhanced 
the safety of such system. The Company also formulated 
contingency plans for regular exercises in a bid to enhance 
its  emergency  response  capability  to  address  cyber 
attacks  or  safety  accidents.  Through  the  application  of 
new  cutting-edge  technologies  such  as  cloud  computing 
and  big  data  in  all  aspects,  the  Company  built  a  security 
situational awareness platform for the centralized analysis 
and  coordinated  disposal  of  various  safety  risks.  In 
addition,  the  Company  constantly  stepped  up  efforts  on 
education for the safety awareness of employees to foster 
a  corporate  culture  of  “everyone  places  emphasis  on 
safety”,  and  conducted  several  assessments  on  internal 
and  external  risks,  which  further  enhanced  the  capability 
of  the  Company  in  information  safety  risk  management. 
In  2020,  the  Company  has  not  had  any  circumstances 
where its operation was affected due to the breakdown of 
computers or security breach.

For other analysis on the insurance risk, market risk, credit 
risk and liquidity risk of the Company, please refer to the 
“Risk Management” section in Note 4 in the Notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements of this annual report.

It should be stated that the risk management and internal 
control of the Company are designed with the objectives 
to  reasonably  ensure  the  legal  compliance  of  business 
operation and management, safety of assets, truthfulness 
and  completeness  of  financial  reports  and  relevant 
information,  improvement  of  operating  efficiency  and 
effect,  and  accomplishment  of  development  strategy. 
Given  the  inherent  limitations  on  risk  management  and 
internal control, the Company can only provide reasonable 
assurance  with  respect  to  the  accomplishment  of  the 
above objectives.

108

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Corporate GovernanceOTHER

INFORMATION

BASIC INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY

Registered Name in Chinese

Registered Name in English

中國人壽保險股份有限公司
China Life Insurance Company Limited (“China Life”)

Legal Representative

Wang Bin

Registered Office Address

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

Postal Code

100033

Current Office Address

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

Postal Code

Telephone

Fax

Website

Email

100033

86-10-63633333

86-10-66575722

www.e-chinalife.com

ir@e-chinalife.com

Hong Kong Office Address

16/F, Tower A, China Life Centre, One Harbour Gate, 18 Hung Luen Road, 
Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Telephone

852-29192628

109

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationCONTACT INFORMATION

Name

Office Address

Telephone

Fax

Email

Board Secretary

Li Mingguang

Securities Representative

Li Yinghui

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

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

86-10-63631241

86-10-66575112

86-10-63631191

86-10-66575112

ir@e-chinalife.com

liyh@e-chinalife.com

*  Ms.  Li  Yinghui,  Securities  Representative  of 
the Company, is also the main contact person 
of  the  external  Company  Secretary  engaged 
by the Company

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND PLACE FOR OBTAINING THE REPORT

Media for the Company’s  
A Share Disclosure

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

The Company’s H Share  
Disclosure Websites

The Company’s Annual Report  
may be obtained at

STOCK INFORMATION

China Securities Journal, Securities Times, Securities Daily

www.sse.com.cn

HKExnews website of Hong Kong Exchanges and  
Clearing Limited at www.hkexnews.hk
The Company’s website at www.e-chinalife.com

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

Exchanges on which the 
Stocks are Listed

Stock Short Name

Stock Code

Shanghai Stock Exchange

China Life

601628

The Stock Exchange of 
Hong Kong Limited

China Life

New York Stock Exchange

–

2628

LFC

Stock Type

A Share

H Share

ADR

110

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationOTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

H Share Registrar and 
Transfer Office

Computershare Hong Kong 
Investors Services Limited

Address: Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, 
Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, 
Wanchai, Hong Kong

Depositary of ADR

Deutsche Bank

Address: 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Domestic Legal Adviser

King & Wood Mallesons

International Legal Advisers

Latham & Watkins LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Auditors of the Company

Domestic Auditor

International Auditor

Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP

Ernst & Young

Address: Level 16, Ernst & 
Young Tower, Oriental Plaza, 
No. 1 East Changan Avenue, 
Dongcheng District, Beijing, 
P.R. China

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

Name of the Signing Auditors: 
Huang Yuedong, Xu Ting

Name of the Certified Auditor:  
Choi Kam Cheong, Geoffrey

111

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationINDEX OF INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Serial No.

Items

Date of disclosure

Investment in China Life Aged-Care Industry Investment Fund and Notice of the 
First Extraordinary General Meeting 2020

Notice of the First Extraordinary General Meeting 2020

Form of Proxy of Holders of H Shares for use at the First Extraordinary General 
Meeting 2020 of the Company to be held on Thursday, 20 February 2020

Reply Slip of Holders of H Shares

Notification Letter and Change Request Form to Registered Shareholders

Notification Letter and Request Form to Non-Registered Shareholders

Announcement – Approval of Qualification as Supervisor by the CBIRC Beijing 
Bureau and Resignation of Supervisor

Announcement of Premium Income

Election of Language and Means of Receipt of Corporate Communication

Reply Form

Announcement – Estimated Profit Increase for the Year 2019

Clarification Announcement

Indicative Announcement – Approval by the CBIRC of Gratuitous Transfer of the 
Controlling Shareholder’s Partial State-owned Shares

Announcement – Forfeiture of Unclaimed Dividends

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Resolutions Passed at the First Extraordinary General Meeting 
2020

Announcement – Approval of Qualification of Director by the CBIRC Beijing Bureau

Notice of Board Meeting

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Collection of Questions for 2019 Annual Results Briefing

Announcement of Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2019

China Life Insurance Company Limited 2019 Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG) & Social Responsibility Report

Summary of Solvency Quarterly Report of Insurance Company (Fourth Quarter of 
2019)

Announcement – Continuing Connected Transactions under New Asset Management  
Agreements and Revision of Annual Caps for Continuing Connected Transactions

Announcement – Nomination of Independent Non-Executive Director

Notice of Board Meeting

Announcement of Premium Income

Annual Report 2019

2020/1/2

2020/1/2

2020/1/2

2020/1/2

2020/1/2

2020/1/2

2020/1/3

2020/1/15

2020/1/16

2020/1/16

2020/1/19

2020/2/13

2020/2/14

2020/2/17

2020/2/18

2020/2/20

2020/3/2

2020/3/12

2020/3/12

2020/3/19

2020/3/25

2020/3/25

2020/3/25

2020/3/25

2020/3/25

2020/4/9

2020/4/14

2020/4/16

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

112

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationSerial No.

Items

Date of disclosure

Reports of the Board of Directors & the Board of Supervisors for 2019, Financial 
Report and Profit Distribution Plan for 2019, Remuneration of Directors and 
Supervisors, Election of Mr. Lam Chi Kuan as an Independent Director of the 
Sixth Session of the Board of Directors, Remuneration of Auditors for 2019 & 
Appointment of Auditors for 2020, General Mandate to Issue H Shares, Duty 
Report of the Independent Directors of the Board of Directors for 2019, Report on 
the Overall Status of Connected Transactions for 2019 & Notice of AGM

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Form of Proxy of Holders of H Shares for use at the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company to be held on Monday, 29 June 2020

Reply Slip of H Share Shareholders

Notification Letter and Change Request Form to Registered Shareholders

Notification Letter and Request Form to Non-Registered Shareholders

2020 First Quarter Report

Announcement – Resignation of Executive Director and Change of Person in 
Charge of Finance

Summary of Solvency Quarterly Report of Insurance Company  
(First Quarter of 2020)

Overseas Regulatory Announcement – China Life Insurance Company Limited – 
Announcement on Changes in Accounting Estimates

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Approval of Qualification of Person in Charge of Finance by CBIRC 
Beijing Bureau

Notice of Redemption

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Resolutions Passed at the Annual General Meeting and 
Distribution of Final Dividend

Notice on Completion of Redemption

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Resignation of Supervisor

Announcement of Premium Income

Notice of Board Meeting

Announcement – Collection of Questions for 2020 Interim Results Briefing

Announcement – Unusual Price Movement of A Shares of the Company

Announcement of Unaudited Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2020

Announcement – Connected Transaction – Formation of Partnership

Announcement – Connected Transaction – Formation of Partnership

Summary of Solvency Quarterly Report of Insurance Company  
(Second Quarter of 2020)

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

2020/4/16

2020/4/16

2020/4/16

2020/4/16

2020/4/16

2020/4/16

2020/4/23

2020/4/23

2020/4/23

2020/4/23

2020/5/14

2020/5/26

2020/5/27

2020/6/11

2020/6/29

2020/7/6

2020/7/14

2020/7/23

2020/8/12

2020/8/14

2020/8/18

2020/8/18

2020/8/26

2020/8/26

2020/8/26

2020/8/26

113

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationSerial No.

Items

Date of disclosure

Overseas Regulatory Announcement – China Life Insurance Company Limited – 
Announcement on Changes in Accounting Estimates

2020 Interim Report

Notification Letter and Change Request Form to Registered Shareholders

Notification Letter and Request Form to Non-Registered Shareholders

Announcement of Premium Income

Supplemental Announcement – Connected Transaction in relation to the Formation 
of Partnerships

Notice of Board Meeting

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Resignation of Independent Non-executive Director

2020 Third Quarter Report

Announcement – Connected Transaction – Formation of Partnership

Summary of Solvency Quarterly Report of Insurance Company  
(Third Quarter of 2020)

Overseas Regulatory Announcement – China Life Insurance Company Limited – 
Announcement on Changes in Accounting Estimates

Announcement of Premium Income

Voluntary Announcement

Announcement in relation to Relevant Representation on the 2020 Corporate Day

Materials for the China Life 2020 Corporate Day

Announcement of Premium Income

Announcement – Renewal of Continuing Connected Transactions under the 
Insurance Sales Framework Agreement

Announcement – Renewal of Continuing Connected Transactions under the Policy 
Management Agreement

Announcement – Supplementary Information regarding Compensation of Directors, 
Supervisors and Senior Management Members in 2019

Announcement – Premium Income Exceeding RMB600 Billion

2020/8/26

2020/9/10

2020/9/10

2020/9/10

2020/9/11

2020/9/29

2020/10/15

2020/10/19

2020/10/19

2020/10/28

2020/10/28

2020/10/28

2020/10/28

2020/11/12

2020/11/24

2020/12/7

2020/12/7

2020/12/11

2020/12/17

2020/12/17

2020/12/17

2020/12/21

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

114

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationDEFINITIONS AND MATERIAL RISK ALERT

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

China Life, the Company6

China Life Insurance Company Limited and its subsidiaries

CLIC

AMC

Pension Company

AMP

CLWM

CGB

CLP&C

CLI

China Life Capital

CBIRC

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

China  Life  Asset  Management  Company  Limited,  a  non-wholly  owned 
subsidiary of the Company

China Life Pension Company Limited, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company

China Life AMP Asset Management Company Limited, an indirect non-wholly 
owned subsidiary of the Company

China Life Wealth Management Company Limited, an indirect non-wholly 
owned subsidiary of the Company

China Guangfa Bank Co., Ltd., an associate of the Company

China Life Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, a non-wholly 
owned subsidiary of CLIC

China Life Investment Management Company Limited, the former China Life 
Investment Holding Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLIC

China Life Capital Investment Company, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary 
of CLIC

China  Banking  and  Insurance  Regulatory  Commission,  the  predecessors 
of  which  are  China  Insurance  Regulatory  Commission  and  China  Banking 
Regulatory Commission

CBIRC Beijing Bureau

Beijing Bureau of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission

CSRC

HKSE

SSE

Company Law

Insurance Law

Securities Law

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 risks faced by the Company primarily include risks relating to macro trends, insurance risk, market risk, credit risk, 
operational risk, strategic risk, reputation risk, liquidity risk and information safety risk. The Company has adopted various 
measures to manage and control different risks effectively. For details please refer to the “Future Prospect” in the section 
headed “Management Discussion and Analysis” and the “Internal Control and Risk Management” in the section headed 
“Corporate Governance” of this report.

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

115

China Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationChina Life Insurance Company Limited | Annual Report 2020 | Other InformationFINANCIAL

REPORT

Independent Auditor’s Report

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

OPINION

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of China Life Insurance Company Limited (the “Company”) and its 
subsidiaries (the “Group”) set out on pages 122 to 244, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position 
as  at  31  December  2020,  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 notes to the consolidated 
financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

116

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportOPINION (continued)

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  consolidated  financial  position  of 
the  Group  as  at  31  December  2020,  and  of  its  consolidated  financial  performance  and  its  consolidated  cash  flows  for 
the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and have been properly prepared in compliance with the disclosure requirements 
of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (“ISAs”)  issued  by  the  International 
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s 
responsibilities  for  the  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  section  of  our  report.  We  are  independent  of  the 
Group in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the “Code”) issued by the Hong Kong Institute 
of Certified Public Accountants, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgement,  were  of  most  significance  in  our  audit  of  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  current  period.  These  matters  were  addressed  in  the  context  of  our  audit  of 
the consolidated financial statements as a whole and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that 
context.

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance 
of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial 
statements.  The  results  of  our  audit  procedures,  including  the  procedures  performed  to  address  the  matters  below, 
provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

117

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)KEY AUDIT MATTERS (continued)

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of insurance contract liabilities

At 31 December 2020, the Group had significant insurance 
contract liabilities in the amount of RMB2,973.23 billion. 
As  disclosed  in  Notes  2.12  and  15  to  the  consolidated 
financial  statements,  the  Group’s  insurance  contract 
liabilities  are  primarily  comprised  of  long-term  insurance 
contract  liabilities.  The  Group  uses  the  discounted 
cash  flow  method  to  estimate  the  reserve  of  long-term 
insurance contracts.

Auditing  the  Group’s  long-term  insurance  contract 
liabilities  was  complex  due  to  the  complexity  of  the 
actuarial  models  and  highly  judgemental  nature  of 
the  actuarial  assumptions  used  by  management  to 
estimate the liabilities. The actuarial assumptions include 
mortality,  morbidity,  lapse  rates,  discount  rates,  and 
expenses.  Changes  in  these  assumptions  could  have 
significant  effects  on  the  valuation  of  the  long-term 
insurance contract liabilities.

The impairment test for investment in an associate

A t  3 1  D e c e m b e r  2 0 2 0 ,  t h e  G r o u p  h e l d  a  m a t e r i a l 
investment  in  an  associate,  Sino-Ocean  Group  Holding 
Limited  (“Sino-Ocean”),  a  company  listed  on  the  Stock 
Exchange  of  Hong  Kong  Limited,  with  a  carrying  value 
of  RMB11.29  billion.  As  disclosed  in  Note  9  to  the 
consolidated financial statements, as the quoted market 
price of this investment has been continuously below its 
carrying value, the Group performed an impairment test, 
and recognised an impairment loss of RMB707 million in 
2020.

Auditing  management’s  impairment  test  of  Sino-Ocean 
was  complex  due  to  the  significant  estimates  and 
judgements  involved  in  management’s  assessment  of 
its value in use, including the selling prices of properties 
u n d e r   d e v e l o p m e n t ,   r e n t a l   p r i c e s   o f   i n v e s t m e n t 
properties  included  in  the  projection  of  future  cash 
flows and the discount rates used. These estimates and 
judgements  may  be  affected  by  unexpected  changes  in 
the future market or economic conditions.

118

We  obtained  an  understanding,  evaluated  the  design 
and  tested  the  operating  effectiveness  of  controls  over 
t h e  G r o u p ’ s  l o n g - t e r m  i n s u r a n c e  c o n t r a c t  l i a b i l i t i e s 
valuation  processes.  For  example,  we  tested  controls  over 
management’s review of the actuarial models, the actuarial 
assumptions, and the data inputs used.

To  test  the  valuation  of  long-term  insurance  contract 
liabilities,  our  audit  procedures  included,  among  others, 
comparing  the  methodology,  actuarial  models  and  actuarial 
assumptions  used  by  the  Group  to  recognised  actuarial 
practices and testing the completeness and accuracy of the 
underlying  insurance  policy  data  used  in  the  valuation.  We 
involved our actuarial specialists to assist us with assessing 
the reasonableness of the assumptions by comparing them 
to  industry  data,  historical  experiences  and  expectations  of 
the Group. For a sample of selected insurance products, our 
actuarial specialists performed an independent recalculation 
of  the  long-term  insurance  contract  liabilities.  In  addition, 
our  actuarial  specialists  assisted  in  performing  analytical 
procedures  over  the  movement  of  long-term  insurance 
contract  liabilities  considering  changes  in  the  actuarial 
assumptions in the reporting period.

We  obtained  an  understanding,  evaluated  the  design  and 
tested  the  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  controls  over 
the Group’s investment impairment test of Sino-Ocean. For 
example,  we  tested  controls  over  management’s  review 
of  the  impairment  test  methodology  and  the  significant 
assumptions used in the valuation.

To  test  the  impairment  test  of  Sino-Ocean,  our  audit 
procedures  included,  among  others,  evaluating  the  Group’s 
valuation  methodology  and  testing  the  completeness  and 
accuracy  of  the  underlying  data  used  in  the  cash  flows 
projection.  We  compared  the  selling  prices  of  properties 
u n d e r  d e v e l o p m e n t  a n d  r e n t a l  p r i c e s  o f  i n v e s t m e n t 
properties used in the cash flow projection to the historical 
business  results  of  Sino-Ocean  and  industry  data.  We  also 
involved our valuation specialists to assist us with assessing 
the  reasonableness  of  the  Group’s  valuation  methodology 
with reference to valuation guidelines and industry practice. 
In  addition,  we  compared  the  discount  rate  used  by  the 
Group  with  the  discount  rate  developed  by  our  valuation 
specialists using information of comparable companies.

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)KEY AUDIT MATTERS (continued)

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Fair value of level III financial assets

A t   3 1   D e c e m b e r   2 0 2 0 ,   t h e   G r o u p   h e l d   m a t e r i a l 
investments  in  certain  level  III  financial  assets  such  as 
private equity funds, preference shares, other equity and 
debt  investments,  which  are  accounted  for  as  available-
for-sale  securities  at  fair  value  or  securities  at  fair  value 
through  profit  or  loss  with  a  combined  carrying  value 
of  RMB293.92  billion.  As  disclosed  in  Note  4.4  to  the 
consolidated financial statements, these investments are 
classified as level III in the fair value hierarchy as their fair 
values are measured using valuation methodologies with 
significant unobservable inputs.

Auditing the fair value measurement of the Group’s level 
III  financial  assets  was  complex  due  to  the  significant 
estimates  and  judgements  involved  in  the  assessment 
of  valuation  methodologies  and  significant  unobservable 
inputs,  including  discount  rates  and  discounts  for  lack 
of  marketability,  among  others.  The  use  of  different 
valuation  methodologies  and  changes  in  significant 
unobservable inputs could result in significantly different 
fair value estimates.

We  obtained  an  understanding,  evaluated  the  design  and 
tested  the  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  controls  over 
the  Group’s  fair  value  measurement  of  level  III  financial 
assets.  For  example,  we  tested  management’s  review 
controls over the valuation methodologies and the significant 
unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements.

To  test  the  fair  value  measurement  of  level  III  financial 
assets,  our  audit  procedures  included,  among  others, 
evaluating  the  Group’s  valuation  methodologies,  testing 
the  significant  unobservable  inputs  used  by  the  Group  in 
determining  the  fair  values,  and  testing  the  mathematical 
accuracy of the Group’s valuation calculations. We involved 
our  valuation  specialists  to  assist  us  with  evaluating 
t h e  G r o u p ’ s  v a l u a t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  a n d  a s s e s s i n g 
t h e  r e a s o n a b l e n e s s  o f  t h e  s i g n i f i c a n t  u n o b s e r v a b l e 
inputs,  including  discount  rates  and  discounts  for  lack 
of  marketability,  among  others  used  in  the  valuations  by 
comparing  them  to  information  available  from  third-party 
sources  and  market  data.  For  a  sample  of  the  Group’s 
level  III  financial  assets,  our  valuation  specialists  also 
independently developed fair value estimates and compared 
them to the Group’s valuation results.

OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT

The directors of the Company are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information 
included in the Annual Report, other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any 
form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and,  in  doing  so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is  materially  inconsistent  with  the  consolidated  financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work 
we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report 
that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

119

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS 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 IFRSs issued by the IASB 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  the 
consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  directors  of  the  Company  are  responsible  for  assessing  the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors of the Company either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease 
operations or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The directors of the Company are assisted by the Audit Committee in discharging their responsibilities for overseeing the 
Group’s financial reporting process.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Our report is made solely to you, as a body, and for no other purpose. We do not assume responsibility towards or accept 
liability to any other person for the contents of this report.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material  if,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  they  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  influence  the  economic  decisions  of 
users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism 
throughout the audit. We also:

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud 
or  error,  design  and  perform  audit  procedures  responsive  to  those  risks,  and  obtain  audit  evidence  that  is  sufficient 
and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis  for  our  opinion.  The  risk  of  not  detecting  a  material  misstatement  resulting  from 
fraud  is  higher  than  for  one  resulting  from  error,  as  fraud  may  involve  collusion,  forgery,  intentional  omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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  Group’s  internal 
control.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 

disclosures made by the directors.

120

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit 
evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt 
on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required 
to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such 
disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the 
date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going 
concern.

•  Evaluate  the  overall  presentation,  structure  and  content  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  including  the 
disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a 
manner that achieves fair presentation.

•  Obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  the  financial  information  of  the  entities  or  business  activities 
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, 
supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Audit Committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit 
and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We  also  provide  the  Audit  Committee  with  a  statement  that  we  have  complied  with  relevant  ethical  requirements 
regarding  independence  and  to  communicate  with  them  all  relationships  and  other  matters  that  may  reasonably  be 
thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with the Audit Committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance 
in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We 
describe  these  matters  in  our  auditor’s  report  unless  law  or  regulation  precludes  public  disclosure  about  the  matter  or 
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because 
the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such 
communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Choi Kam Cheong, Geoffrey.

Ernst & Young
Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong
25 March 2021

121

China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report Independent Auditor’s Report (continued)To the shareholders of China Life Insurance Company Limited(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
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
Derivative financial assets
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Accrued investment income
Premiums receivable
Reinsurance assets
Other assets
Deferred tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

6
7
8
9
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
12
13
14
29

52,747
3,076
14,217
239,584
1,189,369
658,535
545,667
6,333
1,215,603
161,570
–
7,947
45,200
20,730
6,095
29,021
87
56,629

4,252,410

51,758
3,520
12,141
222,983
928,751
608,920
535,260
6,333
1,058,957
141,608
428
4,467
41,703
17,281
5,161
34,029
128
53,306

3,726,734

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

122

As at 31 December 2020Consolidated Statement of Financial PositionChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Insurance contracts
Investment contracts
Policyholder dividends payable
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
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
Other equity instruments
Reserves
Retained earnings

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

15
16

17

18

19

20
29

21

36
37
38

2,973,225
288,212
122,510
19,556
2,664
34,992
3,732
122,249
55,031
53,021
104,426
15,286
191
384

3,795,479

28,265
–
237,890
183,896

450,051

6,880

456,931

2,552,736
267,804
112,593
20,045
3,091
34,990
3,859
118,088
51,019
60,898
81,114
10,330
223
602

3,317,392

28,265
7,791
197,221
170,487

403,764

5,578

409,342

4,252,410

3,726,734

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 March 2021.

Wang Bin

Director

Su Hengxuan

Director

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

123

As at 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportConsolidated Statement of Financial Position (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 on financial assets
Net fair value gains 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
Statutory insurance fund contribution
Other expenses

Total benefits, claims and expenses

Net gains on investments of associates and joint ventures
Including: 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

2020

2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

22
23
24

25
25
25
26

27

21

9

28
29

612,265
(6,053)

606,212
(1,546)

604,666

154,497
14,583
21,900
9,315

804,961

(113,609)
(52,395)
(414,797)
(9,846)
(28,279)
(84,342)
(3,747)
(37,687)
(1,229)
(12,208)

(758,139)

7,666
8,336

54,488
(3,103)

51,385

50,268
1,117

567,086
(5,238)

561,848
(1,570)

560,278

139,919
1,831
19,251
8,195

729,474

(127,877)
(50,783)
(330,807)
(9,157)
(22,375)
(81,396)
(4,255)
(40,275)
(1,163)
(9,602)

(677,690)

8,011
9,159

59,795
(781)

59,014

58,287
727

Basic and diluted earnings per share

31

RMB1.77

RMB2.05

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

124

For the year ended 31 December 2020Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive IncomeChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020

2019

Note

RMB million

RMB million

Other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or 

loss in subsequent periods:

Fair value gains 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

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

29

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:

Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures 

under the equity method

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Attributable to:

– Equity holders of the Company
– Non-controlling interests

52,547
(14,386)

69,600
(4,635)

(3,959)

(19,521)

672
(986)
(8,482)

599
237
(11,292)

25,406

34,988

344

25,750

77,135

75,967
1,168

(76)

34,912

93,926

93,134
792

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

125

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportConsolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-
controlling
interests

Total

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Other
equity
instruments

Share
capital

Reserves

Retained
earnings

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

(Note 36)

(Note 37)

(Note 38)

28,265
–
–

7,791
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

28,265

28,265
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

7,791

7,791
–
–

–

–
–
–
(7,791)

(7,791)

149,309
–
34,847

34,847

13,087
–
–
(86)
64

13,065

197,221

197,221
–
25,699

25,699

16,025
–
–
(1,055)

14,970

130,117
58,287
–

58,287

(13,087)
(4,916)
–
86
–

(17,917)

170,487

170,487
50,268
–

50,268

(16,025)
(20,834)
–
–

(36,859)

4,919
727
65

792

–
–
(133)
–
–

(133)

5,578

5,578
1,117
51

1,168

–
–
(174)
308

134

320,401
59,014
34,912

93,926

–
(4,916)
(133)
–
64

(4,985)

409,342

409,342
51,385
25,750

77,135

–
(20,834)
(174)
(8,538)

(29,546)

28,265

–

237,890

183,896

6,880

456,931

As at 1 January 2019
Net profit
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners
Appropriation to reserves (Note 38)
Dividends paid (Note 33)
Dividends to non-controlling interests
Reserves to retained earnings (Note 38)
Others

Total transactions with owners

As at 31 December 2019

As at 1 January 2020
Net profit
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners
Appropriation to reserves (Note 38)
Dividends paid (Note 33)
Dividends to non-controlling interests
Others

Total transactions with owners

As at 31 December 2020

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

126

For the year ended 31 December 2020Consolidated Statement of Changes in EquityChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

54,488

59,795

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Profit before income tax

Adjustments for:

Investment income
Net realised and unrealised gains on financial assets
Insurance contracts
Depreciation and amortisation
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)
Net gains on investments of associates and joint ventures

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Decrease/(increase) in securities at fair value through profit or loss, net
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

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Disposals and maturities:

Disposals of debt investments
Maturities of debt investments
Disposals of equity investments
Disposals of property, plant and equipment
Disposals of subsidiaries

Purchases:

Debt investments
Equity investments
Property, plant and equipment

Investments in associates and joint ventures
Decrease/(increase) in term deposits, net
Decrease/(increase) in securities purchased under agreements to resell, net
Interest received
Dividends received
Increase in policy loans, net
Cash received related to other investing activities

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

(154,497)
(36,483)
419,866
5,161
(119)
(7,666)

(21,954)
3,004
40,592
(3,263)
4,120
775

304,024

36,774
198,640
308,406
57
2,175

(593,917)
(338,306)
(7,467)
(14,942)
(10,947)
(3,850)
126,848
29,590
(25,858)
–

(292,797)

(139,919)
(21,082)
335,971
4,379
67
(8,011)

6,858
1,213
50,622
(8,636)
3,811
964

286,032

112,182
133,519
450,014
72
1,432

(504,292)
(545,657)
(11,415)
(23,389)
24,102
5,468
116,846
25,169
(32,707)
1,141

(247,515)

127

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

For the year ended 31 December 2020Consolidated Statement of Cash FlowsChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net
Interest paid
Repayment of borrowings
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Proceeds from issue of bonds
Cash received from borrowings
Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities
Cash paid for redemption of other equity instruments
Capital injected into subsidiaries by non-controlling interests
Cash received related to other financing activities
Cash paid related to other financing activities

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities

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

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

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

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

4,912
(3,779)
(6,505)
(20,834)
(161)
–
6,822
(1,478)
(9,060)
22,846
1,069
(1,592)

(7,760)

(144)

3,323

53,306

56,629

56,510
119

(73,552)
(3,072)
(365)
(4,916)
(133)
34,988
123
(1,348)
–
12,961
–
(761)

(36,075)

55

2,497

50,809

53,306

52,800
506

The notes on pages 129 to 244 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

128

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportConsolidated Statement of Cash Flows (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1  ORGANISATION 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 activities 
are the writing of life, health, accident and other types of personal insurance business; reinsurance business for personal 
insurance  business;  fund  management  business  permitted  by  national  laws  and  regulations  or  approved  by  the  State 
Council of the People’s Republic of China, etc.

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 and authorised for issue by the  Board  of  Directors on  25 
March 2021.

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.  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 compliance 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.

2.1.1  New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  adopted  by  the  Group  for  the  first  time  for  the 
financial year beginning on 1 January 2020

Standards/Amendments

Content

IFRS 3 Amendments
IAS 1 and IAS 8 Amendments
IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 

Definition of a Business
Definition of Material
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

Effective for
annual periods
beginning on or after

1 January 2020
1 January 2020
1 January 2020

Amendments

IFRS 16 Amendment

Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions (early adopted)

1 June 2020

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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 on 1 January 2020 (continued)

IFRS 3 Amendments – Definition of a Business

In  October  2018,  the  IASB  issued  amendments  to  the  definition  of  a  business  in  IFRS  3 Business  Combinations.  The 
amendments  clarify  and  provide  additional  guidance  on  the  definition  of  a  business.  The  amendments  clarify  that  for 
an  integrated  set  of  activities  and  assets  to  be  considered  a  business,  it  must  include,  at  a  minimum,  an  input  and  a 
substantive  process  that  together  significantly  contribute  to  the  ability  to  create  outputs.  A  business  can  exist  without 
including all of the inputs and processes needed to create outputs. The amendments remove the assessment of whether 
market  participants  are  capable  of  acquiring  the  business  and  continue  to  produce  outputs.  Instead,  the  focus  is  on 
whether  acquired  inputs  and  acquired  substantive  processes  together  significantly  contribute  to  the  ability  to  create 
outputs.  The  amendments  have  also  narrowed  the  definition  of  outputs  to  focus  on  goods  or  services  provided  to 
customers, investment income or other income from ordinary activities. Furthermore, the amendments provide guidance 
to assess whether an acquired process is substantive and introduce an optional fair value concentration test to permit a 
simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The Group has applied the 
amendments prospectively to transactions or other events that occurred on or after 1 January 2020. The amendments did 
not have any significant impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IAS 1 and IAS 8 Amendments – Definition of Material

In  October  2018,  the  IASB  issued  amendments  to  IAS  1  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  and  IAS  8 Accounting 
Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors to provide a new definition of material. The new definition states 
that  information  is  material  if  omitting,  misstating  or  obscuring  it  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  influence  decisions 
that  the  primary  users  of  general  purpose  financial  statements  make  on  the  basis  of  those  financial  statements.  The 
amendments clarify that materiality will depend on the nature or magnitude of information, or both. The amendments did 
not have any significant impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Amendments – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

In  September  2019,  the  IASB  issued  the  amendments  to  IFRS  9 Financial  Instruments,  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments: 
Recognition  and  Measurement  and  IFRS  7 Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures  to  respond  to  the  hedge  accounting 
induced in the Interbank Offered Rates (IBOR) reform. The amendments provide temporary reliefs which enable hedge 
accounting to continue during the period of uncertainty before the replacement of an existing interest rate benchmark. 
The amendments did not have any significant impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16 Amendment – Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions (early adopted)

In May 2020, the IASB issued the amendment to IFRS 16 Leases to provide an optional relief to lessees from applying 
IFRS 16’s guidance on lease modification accounting for rent concessions arising as a direct consequence of Covid-19. 
The amendment does not apply to lessors.

The  practical  expedient  applies  only  to  rent  concessions  occurring  as  a  direct  consequence  of  Covid-19  and  only  if  all 
of the following conditions are met: (i) the change in lease payments results in revised consideration for the lease that 
is  substantially  the  same  as,  or  less  than,  the  consideration  for  the  lease  immediately  preceding  the  change;  (ii)  any 
reduction in lease payments affects only payments originally due on or before 30 June 2021; (iii) there is no substantive 
change  to  other  terms  and  conditions  of  the  lease.  The  amendment  is  effective  retrospectively  for  annual  periods 
beginning on or after 1 June 2020 with earlier application permitted.

The Group has early adopted the amendment on 1 January 2020. Because the Group was not provided with a significant 
amount  of  rent  concessions  arising  as  a  direct  consequence  of  Covid-19,  the  amendment  did  not  have  any  significant 
impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

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2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.2  New  accounting  standards  and  amendments  that  are  effective  but  temporary  exemption  is 
applied by the Group for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2020

Standards/Amendments

Content

IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

Effective for
annual periods
beginning on or after

1 January 2018

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments

In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9, bringing together all phases of the financial instruments project 
to replace IAS 39 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. Based on the current assessment, the Group expects that the adoption of IFRS 9 
will  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial  statements.  The  Group  has  adopted  the  temporary 
exemption permitted in Amendments to IFRS 4 Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts 
(“IFRS 4 Amendments”) to apply IAS 39 rather than IFRS 9, until the effective date of IFRS 17. Refer to Note 34 for more 
details.

Classification and measurement

IFRS  9  requires  that  the  Group  classifies  debt  instruments  based  on  the  combined  effect  of  application  of  business 
models  (hold  to  collect  contractual  cash  flows,  hold  to  collect  contractual  cash  flows  and  sell  financial  assets  or  other 
business  models)  and  contractual  cash  flow  characteristics  (solely  payments  of  principal  and  interest  on  the  principal 
amount  outstanding  or  not).  Debt  instruments  not  giving  rise  to  cash  flows  that  are  solely  payments  of  principal 
and  interest  on  the  principal  amount  outstanding  would  be  measured  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss.  Other  debt 
instruments  giving  rise  to  cash  flows  that  are  solely  payments  of  principal  and  interest  on  the  principal  amount 
outstanding  would  be  measured  at  amortised  cost,  fair  value  through  other  comprehensive  income  (“FVOCI”)  or  fair 
value through profit or loss, based on their respective business models. The Group analysed the contractual cash flow 
characteristics of financial assets as at 31 December 2020 and made relevant disclosures in Note 34.

Equity instruments would generally be measured at fair value through profit or loss unless the Group elects to measure 
at  FVOCI  for  certain  equity  investments  not  held  for  trading.  This  will  result  in  unrealised  gains  and  losses  on  equity 
instruments currently classified as available-for-sale securities being recorded in income going forward. Currently, these 
unrealised gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). If the Group elects to record equity 
investments  at  FVOCI,  gains  and  losses  would  be  recognised  in  retained  earnings  when  the  instruments  be  disposed, 
except for the received dividends which do not represent a recovery of part of the investment cost.

Impairment

IFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” model with the “expected credit loss” model which is designed to include forward-
looking  information.  The  Group  is  in  the  process  of  developing  and  testing  the  key  models  required  under  IFRS  9  and 
analysing the impact on the expected loss provision; the Group believed that the provision for debt instruments of the 
Group under the “expected credit loss” model would be larger than that under the previous “incurred loss” model.

Hedge accounting

The Group does not apply the hedge accounting currently, so the Group expects that the new hedge accounting model 
under IFRS 9 will have no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

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2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.3  New accounting standards and amendments that are not yet effective and have not been early 
adopted by the Group for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2020

Standards/Amendments

Content

IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7,  
IFRS 4 and IFRS 16  
Amendments

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

IFRS 17
IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor  

Insurance Contracts

and its Associate or Joint Venture

Effective for
annual periods
beginning on or after

1 January 2021

1 January 2023
No mandatory effective
date yet determined but
available for adoption

The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 Amendments – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

In  August  2020,  the  IASB  issued  IFRS  9,  IAS  39,  IFRS  7,  IFRS  4  and  IFRS  16  Amendments  Interest  Rate  Benchmark 
Reform  –  Phase  2.  The  amendments  address  issues  not  dealt  with  in  the  previous  amendments  which  affect  financial 
reporting  when  an  existing  interest  rate  benchmark  is  replaced  with  an  alternative  benchmark  rate.  The  Phase  2 
amendments provide a practical expedient to allow the effective interest rate to be updated without adjusting the carrying 
amount  when  accounting  for  changes  in  the  basis  for  determining  the  contractual  cash  flows  of  financial  assets  and 
liabilities, if the change is a direct consequence of the interest rate benchmark reform and the new basis for determining 
the contractual cash flows is economically equivalent to the previous basis immediately preceding the change. In addition, 
the  amendments  permit  changes  required  by  the  interest  rate  benchmark  reform  to  be  made  to  hedge  designations 
and hedge documentation without the hedging relationship being discontinued. Any gains or losses that could arise on 
transition  are  dealt  with  through  the  normal  requirements  of  IFRS  9  to  measure  and  recognise  hedge  ineffectiveness. 
The amendments also provide a temporary relief to entities from having to meet the separately identifiable requirement 
when thealternative benchmark rate is designated as a risk component. The relief allows an entity, upon designation of 
the  hedge,  to  assume  that  the  separately  identifiable  requirement  is  met,  provided  the  entity  reasonably  expects  the 
risk component to become separately identifiable within the next 24 months. Furthermore, the amendments require an 
entity to disclose additional information to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of interest rate 
benchmark reform on an entity’s financial instruments and risk management strategy. The amendments are effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021 and shall be applied retrospectively, but entities are not required to 
restate the comparative information.

The  Group  had  certain  interest-bearing  bank  borrowings  denominated  in  US  dollars  and  Euros  based  on  the  London 
Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the Europe Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) as at 31 December 2020. If the 
interest rates of these borrowings are replaced by alternative benchmark rates in a future period, the Group will apply this 
practical expedient upon the modification of these borrowings when the “economically equivalent” criterion is met and 
expects that no significant modification gain or loss will arise as a result of applying the amendments to these changes.

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2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.3  New accounting standards and amendments that are not yet effective and have not been early 
adopted by the Group for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2020 (continued)

IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts

In  May  2017,  the  IASB  issued  IFRS  17  Insurance  Contracts,  a  comprehensive  new  accounting  standard  for  insurance 
contracts  covering  recognition  and  measurement,  presentation  and  disclosure,  which  replaces  IFRS  4 Insurance 
Contracts.

In contrast to the requirements in IFRS 4, which are largely based on grandfathering previous local accounting policies 
for  measurement  purposes,  IFRS  17  provides  a  comprehensive  model  (the  general  model)  for  insurance  contracts, 
supplemented  by  the  variable  fee  approach  for  contracts  with  direct  participation  features  and  the  premium  allocation 
approach mainly for short-duration which typically applies to certain non-life insurance contracts.

The main features of the new accounting model for insurance contracts are as follows:

•  The  fulfilment  cash  flows  including  the  expected  present  value  of  future  cash  flows  and  explicit  risk  adjustment, 

remeasured every reporting period;

•  A contractual service margin represents the unearned profitability of the insurance contracts and is recognised in profit 

or loss over the coverage period;

•  Certain changes in the expected present value of future cash flows are adjusted against the contractual service margin 

and thereby recognised in profit or loss over the remaining coverage period;

•  The  effect  of  changes  in  discount  rates  will  be  reported  in  either  profit  or  loss  or  OCI,  determined  by  an  accounting 

policy choice;

•  The recognition of insurance revenue and insurance service expenses in the statement of comprehensive income based 

on the concept of services provided during the period;

•  Amounts  that  the  policyholder  will  always  receive,  regardless  of  whether  an  insured  event  happens  (non-distinct 
investment components) are not presented in the statement of comprehensive income, but are recognised directly in 
the statement of financial position;

•  Insurance services results are presented separately from the insurance finance income or expense;

•  Extensive disclosures to provide information on the recognised amounts from insurance contracts and the nature and 

extent of risks arising from these contracts.

In June 2020, the IASB issued the amendments to IFRS 17 which include a deferral of the effective date of IFRS 17 to 
annual  reporting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2023.  Insurers  qualifying  for  the  deferral  of  IFRS  9  can  apply 
both IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 for the first time to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. The Group is 
currently assessing the impact of the implementation of the standard.

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2.1  Basis of preparation (continued)

2.1.3  New accounting standards and amendments that are not yet effective and have not been early 
adopted by the Group for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2020 (continued)

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint 
Venture

Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 address an inconsistency between the requirements in IFRS 10 and IAS 28 in dealing 
with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The amendments require 
a full recognition of a gain or loss when the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint 
venture constitutes a business. For a transaction involving assets that do not constitute a business, a gain or loss resulting 
from the transaction is recognised in the investor’s profit or loss only to the extent of the unrelated investor’s interest in 
that associate or joint venture. The IASB has deferred the effective date of these amendments indefinitely, but an entity 
that early adopts the amendments must apply them prospectively. The Group will apply these amendments when they 
become effective.

2.2  Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year 
ended  31  December  2020.  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:

•  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:

•  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 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.

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2.2  Consolidation (continued)

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:

•  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.

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 interest 
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 periods. 
Gains or 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 dividends received and receivable.

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2.2  Consolidation (continued)

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.

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 rights 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  the  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  for  impairment  as  part  of  the 
overall  balance.  Impairment  losses  on  goodwill  are  not  reversed.  Gains  or  losses  on  the  disposal  of  an  entity  take  into 
consideration the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

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2.3  Associates and joint ventures (continued)

The Group determines at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that the investments in associates 
and  joint  ventures  are  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 of disposal and value in use. The impairment of investments 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.

2.4  Segment reporting

The Group’s operating segments are presented in a manner consistent with the internal management reporting provided 
to the operating decision maker – 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

The Company’s functional currency is RMB. Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency and items 
included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. 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.

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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
3 to 11 years
4 to 8 years
Over the shorter of the remaining term
of the lease and the useful lives

The  residual  values,  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, investment properties or other assets 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 an item of 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.

2.7  Leases

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, 
a  lease  if  the  contract  conveys  the  right  to  control  the  use  of  an  identified  asset  for  a  period  of  time  in  exchange  for 
consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of a 
time, the Group assesses whether, throughout the period of use, the lessee has the right to obtain substantially all of the 
economic benefits from use of the identified asset and the right to direct the use of the identified asset.

As a lessee

Initial measurement

At  the  commencement  date  of  the  lease,  the  Group  recognises  right-of-use  assets  representing  the  right  to  use  the 
leased  assets,  including  buildings  and  land  use  rights,  etc.  The  Group  measures  the  lease  liability  at  the  present  value 
of  the  lease  payments  that  are  not  paid  at  that  date,  except  for  short-term  leases  and  leases  of  low-value  assets.  In 
calculating the present value of the lease payments, the lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in 
the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its own incremental borrowing rate.

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2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

2.7  Leases  (continued)

As a lessee (continued)

Initial measurement (continued)

The lease term is the non-cancellable period of a lease when the Group has the right to use lease assets. When the Group 
has an option to extend a lease and is reasonably certain to exercise that option to extend a lease, the lease term also 
comprises the periods covered by the option to extend the lease. When the Group has an option to terminate the lease 
and is reasonably certain not to exercise that option, the lease term also comprises the periods covered by the option to 
terminate the lease. The Group reassesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, to exercise a 
purchase option or not to exercise a termination option, upon the occurrence of either a significant event or a significant 
change in circumstances that are within the control of the Group and affects whether the Group is reasonably certain to 
exercise the commensurate options.

Subsequent measurement

The  Group  applies  the  straight-line  method  in  depreciating  the  right-of-use  assets.  If  it  is  reasonably  certain  that 
ownership of a leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term, the leased asset is depreciated under 
the remaining useful life of the asset. If it cannot be reasonably determined that ownership of a leased asset transfers to 
the Group at the end of the lease term, the Group depreciates the right-of-use asset from the commencement date to the 
earlier of the end of the lease term or the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset.

The  Group  uses  a  constant  periodic  rate  of  interest  to  calculate  interest  on  the  lease  liability  in  each  period  during  the 
lease term and recognises the interest in profit or loss.

Variable lease payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability are recognised in profit or loss in the period 
in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

After  the  commencement  date  of  a  lease,  when  there  is  a  change  in  in-substance  fixed  payments,  a  change  in  the 
amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, a change in future lease payments resulting from a 
change in an index or a rate used to determine those payments, a change in the assessment or actual exercise situation 
of  a  purchase  option,  an  extension  option  or  a  termination  option,  the  Group  uses  the  changed  present  value  of  lease 
payments to remeasure the lease liability and adjust the carrying amount of right-of-use asset accordingly. If the carrying 
amount  of  the  right-of-use  asset  is  reduced  to  zero  and  there  is  a  further  reduction  in  the  measurement  of  the  lease 
liability, the Group recognises any remaining amount of the remeasurement in profit or loss.

The  Group  assesses  whether  there  is  any  indication  that  a  right-of-use  asset  may  be  impaired  at  the  end  of  reporting 
period.  If  any  such  indication  exists,  the  Group  performs  the  impairment  test.  An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  in  net 
profit for the amount by which the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the 
higher of the right-of-use asset’s net selling price and value in use.

Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions

The  Group  partly  adopts  the  simplified  method  for  rental  concessions  arising  as  a  direct  consequence  of  Covid-19 
reached by the Group and the lessor on the existing lease contracts of buildings. The Group treats the rent concessions 
as variable lease payments. When a concession agreement is reached to relieve the original rent payment obligation, the 
undiscounted cash amount will be used to offset the cost of the related asset or expense, and adjust the related liability.

As a lessor

At  the  commencement  date  of  the  lease,  leases  in  which  the  Group  does  not  transfer  substantially  all  the  risks  and 
rewards incidental to ownership of an asset are classified as operating leases. Rental income arising is accounted for on 
a straight-line basis over the lease terms and is included in revenue in the statement of profit or loss.

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2.8  Investment properties

Investment properties are interests in land use rights 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 form of property ownership, equity investment, or other 
forms, have expected useful lives not longer than 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.

2.9  Financial assets

2.9.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 as 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 taking short-term profit. 
The Group may classify other financial assets as at fair value through profit or loss if they meet the criteria in IAS 39 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.

(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.

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2.9  Financial assets (continued)

2.9.b  Recognition and measurement

Purchase and sale of investments are recognised on the trade date, when the Group commits to purchase or sell assets. 
Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case of all financial assets not carried at fair value through 
profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition. Investments are derecognised when the 
rights to receive cash flows 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 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 lent capital is outstanding. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Group has the 
right to the underlying securities held by the clearing house.

2.9.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:

•  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.

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2.9  Financial assets (continued)

2.9.c  Impairment of financial assets other than securities at fair value through profit or loss (continued)

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:

•  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 
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.

2.10  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:

•  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 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 
categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described in Notes 4.4, 8, 11 and 42(c) 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.

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2.11  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.

2.12  Insurance contracts and investment contracts

2.12.1  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.

2.12.2  Insurance contracts

2.12.2.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  claims  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  the  case-by-case 
estimation  method,  average  cost  per  claim  method,  chain  ladder  method,  etc.  The  Group  calculates  the  reserves  for 
claims expenses based on the reasonable estimates of the future payments for claims expenses.

(ii)  Long-term insurance contracts

Long-term  insurance  contracts  include  whole  life  insurance,  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 expense assumptions, and based on the following principles:

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2.12  Insurance contracts and investment contracts (continued)

2.12.2  Insurance contracts (continued)

2.12.2.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:

•  guaranteed  benefits  based  on  contractual  terms,  including  payments  for  deaths,  disabilities,  diseases,  survivals, 

maturities and surrenders;

•  additional non-guaranteed benefits, such as policyholder dividends; and

•  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  amortisation  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 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.

(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:

•  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 2.12.3), which are stated in the investment contract liabilities.

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2.12  Insurance contracts and investment contracts (continued)

2.12.2  Insurance contracts (continued)

2.12.2.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.

2.12.2.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.

2.12.3  Investment contracts

For  investment  contracts  with  or  without  DPF,  the  Company’s  policy  fee  income  mainly  consists  of  acquisition  cost 
and various fees (handling fees and management fees, etc.) over the period of which the service is provided. Policy fee 
income net of certain acquisition cost is amortised over the expected life of the contracts by period and recognised in 
revenue.

Except for unit-linked contracts, of which the liabilities are carried at fair value, the liabilities of investment contracts are 
carried at amortised cost.

2.12.4  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 at 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.

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2.13  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.

2.14  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.

2.15  Bonds payable

Bonds  payable  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.

2.16  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. 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 related 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).

2.17  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  are  included  in  administrative  expenses  and  changes  after  the  vesting  period  are 
included in net fair value gains through profit or loss in net profit. The related liability is included in other liabilities.

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2.18  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.

2.19  Other equity instruments

Other equity instruments are Core Tier 2 Capital Securities issued by the Group. These securities contain no contractual 
obligation  to  deliver  cash  or  another  financial  asset;  or  to  exchange  financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities  with  another 
entity  under  conditions  that  are  potentially  unfavourable  to  the  Group;  or  to  be  settled  in  the  Group’s  own  equity 
instruments.  Therefore,  the  Group  classifies  these  securities  as  other  equity  instruments.  Fees,  commissions  and 
other  transaction  costs  of  these  securities’  issuance  are  deducted  from  equity.  The  distributions  of  the  securities  are 
recognised as profit distribution at the time of declaration.

2.20  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

The policy fee income for investment contracts mainly consists of acquisition costs and various fees (handling fees and 
management fees, etc.) over the period of which the service is provided. Policy fee income net of certain acquisition costs 
is amortised over the expected life of the contracts and recognised as 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.

2.21  Finance costs

Interest expenses for bonds payable, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, interest-bearing loans, borrowings 
and lease liabilities are recognised within finance costs in net profit using the effective interest rate method.

2.22  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 regulations are subject to interpretation.

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2.22  Current and deferred income taxation (continued)

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,  associates  and  joint 
ventures except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not be reversed 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 realised 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 and only if the Group has a legally enforceable right to set off 
current tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income tax 
levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either 
to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, 
in  each  future  period  in  which  significant  amounts  of  deferred  tax  liabilities  or  assets  are  expected  to  be  settled  or 
recovered.

2.23  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 consolidated 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.

2.24  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.

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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  Estimates 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, expense assumptions and policy dividend assumptions 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, expenses assumption and policy 
dividend  assumptions)  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 15.

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3.2  Financial instruments

The Group’s principal investments 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 2.9.c.

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 judgements. The methods and assumptions used by 
the Group in measuring the fair value of financial instruments are as follows:

•  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.

•  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,  policy  loans,  term  deposits,  interest-bearing  loans  and  borrowings, 
and  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase:  the  carrying  amounts  of  these  assets  in  the  consolidated 
statement of financial position approximate fair value.

•  fair values of other loans are obtained from valuation techniques.

For the description of valuation techniques, please refer to Note 4.4. Using different valuation techniques and parameter 
assumptions may lead to some differences of fair value estimations.

3.3  Impairment of investments in associates and joint ventures

The  Group  assesses  whether  there  are  any  indicators  of  impairment  for  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures 
at the end of each reporting period. Investments in associates and joint ventures are tested for impairment when there 
are  indicators  that  the  carrying  amounts  may  not  be  recoverable.  An  impairment  exists  when  the  carrying  value  of 
investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  exceeds  its  recoverable  amount,  which  is  the  higher  of  its  fair  value  less 
costs of disposal and its value in use. The calculation of the fair value less costs of disposal is based on available data from 
binding sales transactions in an arm’s length transaction of similar assets or observable market prices less incremental 
costs for disposing of investments in associates and joint ventures. When value in use calculations are undertaken, the 
Group  must  estimate  the  expected  future  cash  flows  from  investments  in  associates  and  joint  ventures  and  choose  a 
suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows.

3.4  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.

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3.5  Determination of control over investee

The Group applies its judgement 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 issues certain structured entities (e.g. funds and asset management products), 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 2020, the Group has consolidated 
some  funds,debt  investment  schemes  and  asset  management  products  issued  and  managed  by  the  Company’s 
subsidiaries, China Life AMP Asset Management Company (“CL AMP”), China Life Asset Management Company Limited 
(“AMC”)  and  China  Life  Wealth  Management  Company  (“CL  Wealth”)  and  some  trust  schemes  and  debt  investment 
schemes issued and managed by third parties in the consolidated financial statements. Please refer to Note 42(d) for the 
details.

4  RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk  management  is  carried  out  by  the  Company’s  Risk  Management  Committee  under  policies  approved  by  the 
Company’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  strategies,  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  reinsurance  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  the  credit  risk  associated  with  the  failure  of 
reinsurance companies to fulfil their responsibilities.

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4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

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.

The table below presents the Group’s major products of long-term insurance contracts:

Product name

RMB million

%

RMB million

%

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

Premiums of long-term insurance contracts
Xin Xiang Zhi Zun Annuity  
(Celebration Version) (a)

Xin Fu Ying Jia (b)
Kang Ning Whole Life (c)
Fu Lu Shuang Xi Participating Endowment (d)
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (e)
Others (f)

Total

Insurance benefits of long-term  

insurance contracts
Xin Xiang Zhi Zun Annuity  
(Celebration Version) (a)

Xin Fu Ying Jia (b)
Kang Ning Whole Life (c)
Fu Lu Shuang Xi Participating Endowment (d)
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (e)
Others (f)

Total

42,657
24,116
17,553
12,673
137
439,014

536,150

21
1,823
5,075
3,918
11,393
61,624

83,854

7.96%
4.50%
3.27%
2.36%
0.03%
81.88%

100.00%

0.03%
2.17%
6.05%
4.67%
13.59%
73.49%

100.00%

238
37,024
19,701
15,129
558
424,920

497,570

–
1,799
5,119
3,108
7,906
62,192

80,124

0.05%
7.44%
3.96%
3.04%
0.11%
85.40%

100.00%

–
2.25%
6.39%
3.88%
9.87%
77.61%

100.00%

Liabilities of long-term insurance contracts
Xin Xiang Zhi Zun Annuity  
(Celebration Version) (a)

Xin Fu Ying Jia (b)
Kang Ning Whole Life (c)
Fu Lu Shuang Xi Participating Endowment (d)
Hong Ying Participating Endowment (e)
Others (f)

Total

As at 31 December 2020

As at 31 December 2019

RMB million

%

RMB million

%

30,885
114,111
338,286
163,395
24,398
2,265,458

2,936,533

1.05%
3.89%
11.52%
5.56%
0.83%
77.15%

100.00%

140
86,876
309,519
152,713
35,403
1,936,680

2,521,331

0.01%
3.45%
12.28%
6.06%
1.40%
76.80%

100.00%

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4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.2  Concentration of insurance risks (continued)

(a)  Xin Xiang Zhi Zun Annuity (Celebration Version) is an annuity insurance contract with the options for regular premium 
of  3  years  and  5  years  paid  annually  or  monthly.  Its  insured  period  is  10  years.  This  product  is  applicable  to  healthy 
policyholders between 28-day-old and 68-year-old. From the first effective date after the fifth policy years to the expiration 
period, if the policyholders live to the annual corresponding effective date, the annuity payment shall be paid at 60% of 
annual premium according to the basic sum insured if the payment period is 3 years; and the annuity payment shall be paid 
at 100% of annual premium according to the basic sum insured if the payment period is 5 years. If the policyholders live 
to the annual corresponding effective date of the expiration period, the contract terminates and maturity benefit is paid 
at the basic sum insured. If death incurred over insured period, the contract terminates and death benefit is paid at the 
premium received (without interest).

(b)  Xin Fu Ying Jia Annuity is an annuity insurance contract with the options for regular premium of 3 years, 5 years or 
10 years. Its insured period extends from the effective date of Xin Fu Ying Jia Annuity to the corresponding date when 
policyholders reach the age of 88. This product is applicable to healthy policyholders between 28-day-old and 70-year-old. 
From the effective date to the contractual date starting to claim of Xin Fu Ying Jia Annuity, the annuity payment of first 
policy year is paid at 20% of the first premium of the product, and the following annuity payments are paid at 20% of the 
basic sum insured by Xin Fu Ying Jia Annuity. From the first corresponding date after the contractual date starting to claim 
of annuity, to the corresponding date when the policyholders reach the age of 88-year-old, annuity is paid at 3% of the 
basic sum insured during the insured period if policyholders live to the annual corresponding effective date; annuity is paid 
at the premium received (without interest) during the insured period if policyholders live to the contractual date starting to 
claim of annuity; the contract terminates and death benefit is paid at the premium received (without interest) or the cash 
value of the contract, whichever greater when death incurred before the contractual date starting to claim of annuity; the 
contract terminates and death benefit is paid at the cash value of the contract when death incurred after contractual date 
starting to claim of annuity; the contract terminates and accidental death benefit is paid at the premium received (without 
interest) less any death benefit paid when accidents occurred and due to which death incurred within 180 days. Death 
benefit and accidental death benefit are paid only once.

(c)  Kang Ning Whole Life is a whole life insurance contract with the options for single premium or regular premium of 10 
years or 20 years. This product is applicable to healthy policyholders under 70-year-old. The critical illness benefit is paid at 
200% of the basic sum insured. If the critical illness benefits are paid within the payment period, the insurance premium 
of each subsequent period shall be exempted, and the contract shall continue to be valid from the date of the payment of 
the critical illness benefits. Both death and disability benefits are paid at 300% of the basic sum insured less any critical 
illness benefits paid.

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4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.2  Concentration of insurance risks (continued)

(d)  Fu Lu Shuang Xi Participating Endowment is a participating insurance contract with the options for regular premium 
of 3 years, 5 years and 10 years paid annually, semiannually, quarterly or monthly. Its insured period extends from the 
effective  date  of  the  insurance  contract  to  the  corresponding  date  of  the  year  when  the  policyholders  turn  75-year-
old.  This  product  is  applicable  to  healthy  policyholders  between  30-day-old  and  60-year-old.  Starting  from  the  effective 
date of the insurance contract, the survival benefit is paid every two policy years on the corresponding date at 10% of 
the basic sum insured. If death incurred over insured period, the contract terminates and death benefit is paid at death 
benefit amount. If the policyholders live to the annual corresponding effective date of the expiration period, the contract 
terminates and maturity benefit is paid at maturity benefit amount.

(e)  Hong  Ying  Participating  Endowment  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. When accidents occurred during taking a train, a ship or a flight period, death benefit is paid at 
the basic sum multiplied by 3 insured for a single premium policy or the basic sum multiplied by 3 and times the number 
of years of premium payments insured for a regular premium policy. When accidents occurred out of the period of taking 
a train, a ship or a flight, death benefit is paid at the basic sum multiplied by 2 insured for a single premium policy or the 
basic sum multiplied by 2 and times the number of years of premium payments insured for a regular premium policy.

(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  RMB34,590  million  or  RMB35,955  million  (as  at  31 
December 2019: RMB28,045 million or RMB29,286 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  RMB707  million  or  RMB646  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB1,336 
million or RMB1,253 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  RMB114,536  million  or  RMB131,732  million  (as  at  31  December 
2019: RMB96,131 million or RMB108,946 million) higher or lower, respectively.

154

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.1  Insurance risk (continued)

4.1.3  Sensitivity analysis (continued)

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 RMB733 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB670 million) lower or higher, respectively.

The following table indicates the claim development for short-term insurance contracts without taking into account the 
impacts of ceded business:

Estimated claims expenses

Year end
1 year later
2 years later
3 years later
4 years later

Estimated accumulated  

claims expenses

Accumulated claims expenses paid

Short-term insurance contracts (accident year)

2016

27,120
27,303
26,851
26,851
26,851 

2017

33,926
34,845
34,328
34,328

2018

40,601
42,785
41,945

2019

49,727
51,051

2020

52,589

Total

26,851
(26,851)

34,328
(34,328)

41,945
(41,945)

51,051
(48,845)

52,589
(32,804)

206,764
(184,773)

Unpaid claims expenses

–

–

–

2,206

19,785

21,991

The following table indicates the claim development for short-term insurance contracts taking into account the impacts of 
ceded business:

Estimated claims expenses

Year end
1 year later
2 years later
3 years later
4 years later

Estimated accumulated  

claims expenses

Accumulated claims expenses paid

Short-term insurance contracts (accident year)

2016

26,897
27,107
26,655
26,655
26,655 

2017

33,700
34,560
34,045
34,045

2018

40,157
42,280
41,442

2019

49,175
50,414

2020

51,994

Total

26,655
(26,655)

34,045
(34,045)

41,442
(41,442)

50,414
(48,229)

51,994
(32,397)

204,550
(182,768)

Unpaid claims expenses

–

–

–

2,185

19,597

21,782

155

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 10.

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  2020,  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 RMB627 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB528 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 RMB13,906 million 
(as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB9,854  million)  lower  or  higher,  as  a  result  of  a  decrease  or  increase  in  the  fair  value  of 
available-for-sale securities.

156

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)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  mainly  because  China’s  capital  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 2020, if the prices of all the Group’s equity securities had increased or decreased by 10% with all 
other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for the year would have been RMB6,596 million (as at 31 December 2019: 
RMB5,641  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 RMB45,939 
million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB38,559 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’s  currency  risk  exposure  mainly  arises  from  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  term 
deposits, debt investments, equity investments, interest-bearing loans and borrowings denominated in currencies other 
than the functional currency, such as US dollar, HK dollar, GB pound and EUR, etc.

The following table summarises primary financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in currencies other than RMB 
as at 31 December 2020 and 2019, expressed in RMB equivalent:

As at 31 December 2020

US dollar

HK dollar GB pound

EUR

Others

Total

Financial assets
Equity securities

– Available-for-sale securities
– Securities at fair value through 

profit or loss

Debt securities

– Held-to-maturity securities
– Loans
– Available-for-sale securities
– Securities at fair value through 

profit or loss

Term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents

4,352

220
1,445
3,615

297
7,990
598

–
–
–

–
–
1,297

9,711

108,493

–

–

–

118,204

185

350

1,219

847

6,953

–
–
–

21
–
358

729

–
–
–

11
–
140

–
–
–

10
–
7

220
1,445
3,615

339
7,990
2,400

1,370

864

141,166

Total

28,228

109,975

Financial liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and  

other borrowings

Total

11,940

11,940

–

–

2,444

2,444

5,172

5,172

–

–

19,556

19,556

157

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.1  Market risk (continued)

(iii)  Currency risk (continued)

As at 31 December 2019

US dollar

HK dollar

GB pound

EUR

Others

Total

Financial assets
Equity securities

– Available-for-sale securities
– Securities at fair value through 

profit or loss

Debt securities

– Held-to-maturity securities
– Loans
– Available-for-sale securities
– Securities at fair value through 

profit or loss

Term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents

11,086

95,428

–

–

–

106,514

4,549

218
1,592
7,557

448
8,026
1,842

660

871

2,166

1,292

9,538

–
–
–

–
32
444

–
–
–

35
–
406

–
–
–

15
–
20

–
–
–

9
–
3

218
1,592
7,557

507
8,058
2,715

Total

35,318

96,564

1,312

2,201

1,304

136,699

Financial liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and  

other borrowings

Total

12,892

12,892

–

–

2,515

2,515

4,638

4,638

–

–

20,045

20,045

As at 31 December 2020, if RMB had strengthened or weakened by 10% against US dollar, HK dollar, GB pound, EUR and 
other foreign currencies, with all other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for the year would have been RMB339 million 
(as at 31 December 2019: RMB1,013 million) lower or higher, respectively, mainly as a result of foreign exchange losses 
or gains on translation of US dollar, HK dollar, GB pound, EUR and other foreign currencies 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 RMB11,593 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB10,423 million) lower or higher, 
respectively, as a result of foreign exchange losses or gains on translation of the available-for-sale equity securities at fair 
value. The actual exchange gains in 2020 were RMB119 million (2019: exchange losses of RMB67 million).

158

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

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 the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (“CBIRC”) and a 
significant portion of the portfolio is in government bonds, government agency bonds, corporate bonds with higher credit 
rating 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 to lower the credit risk.

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 
2020 and 2019.

Collateral and other credit enhancements

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are pledged by counterparties debt securities or term deposits of which 
the Group could take the ownership if the owner of the collateral defaults. Policy loans and most of premium receivables 
are  collateralised  by  their  policies  cash  value  according  to  the  terms  and  conditions  of  policy  loan  contracts  and  policy 
contracts, respectively.

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 2020, 99.9% (as at 31 December 2019: 99.8%) 
of the corporate bonds held by the Group or the issuers of these corporate bonds had credit ratings of AA/A-2 or above. 
As  at  31  December  2020,  100.0%  (as  at  31  December  2019:  100.0%)  of  the  subordinated  bonds  or  debts  held  by  the 
Group either had credit ratings of AA/A-2 or above, or were issued by national commercial banks. The bonds, debts or their 
issuers’ credit ratings are assigned by a qualified appraisal institution in the PRC and updated at each reporting date.

As  at  31  December  2020,  99.7%  (as  at  31  December  2019:  99.7%)  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 most other loans excluding policyholder loans, are guaranteed by third parties or with pledge, or have 
the fiscal 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 has not caused a material impact on the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements as at 31 December 2020 and 2019.

The  credit  risk  associated  with  securities  purchased  under  agreements  to  resell,  policy  loans  and  most  of  premium 
receivables has not caused a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements taking into consideration 
their sufficient collateral held and maturity terms of no more than one year as at 31 December 2020 and 2019.

159

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)
4.2  Financial risk (continued)
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.

The  following  tables  set  forth  the  contractual  and  expected  undiscounted  cash  flows  for  primary  financial  assets  and 
liabilities and insurance liabilities:

Contractual and expected cash flows
(undiscounted)

Later than
1 year but
not later
than
3 years

Later than
3 years but
not later
than
5 years

Not later
than
1 year

Later
than
5 years

Carrying
value

Without
maturity

700,748
1,865,794
658,535
545,667
6,333

7,947
45,200
20,730
56,629

700,748
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
136,885
235,901
75,353
297

7,947
44,197
20,730
56,629

–
349,334
219,840
329,191
6,098

–
287,939
129,813
197,867
720

–
2,260,215
173,729
1,753
–

–
565
–
–

–
438
–
–

–
–
–
–

As at 31 December 2020

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

Subtotal

3,907,583

700,748

577,939

905,028

616,777

2,435,697

Financial and insurance liabilities

Expected cash outflows
Insurance contracts
Investment contracts

2,973,225
288,212

Contractual cash outflows

Securities sold under agreements  

to repurchase

122,249

–
–

–

190,123
(29,149)

151,280
(13,861)

(93,971)
68,882

(5,618,867)
(798,317)

(122,249)

Financial liabilities at fair value 

through profit or loss

Annuity and other insurance  

balances payable

Interest-bearing loans and  

other borrowings

Bonds payable
Lease liabilities

3,732

(3,732)

–

55,031

19,556
34,992
2,664

–

–
–
–

(55,031)

(2,044)
(328)
(1,273)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(4,384)
(2,996)
(1,250)

(14,680)
(36,498)
(331)

–

–

–

–
–
(41)

Subtotal

3,499,661

(3,732)

(19,951)

128,789

(76,598)

(6,417,225)

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

407,922

697,016

557,988

1,033,817

540,179

(3,981,528)

160

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.3  Liquidity risk (continued)

Contractual and expected cash flows
(undiscounted)

Later than
1 year but
not later
than
3 years

Later than
3 years but
not later
than
5 years

Not later
than
1 year

Later
than
5 years

Carrying
value

Without
maturity

605,996
1,523,748
608,920
535,260
6,333

4,467
41,703
17,281
53,306

605,996
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
107,632
232,715
119,827
479

4,467
40,710
17,281
53,306

–
319,656
174,260
184,707
2,315

–
250,805
117,001
294,477
4,594

–
1,701,886
191,290
8,087
–

–
561
–
–

–
432
–
–

–
–
–
–

As at 31 December 2019

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

Subtotal

3,397,014

605,996

576,417

681,499

667,309

1,901,263

Financial and insurance liabilities

Expected cash outflows
Insurance contracts
Investment contracts

2,552,736
267,804

Contractual cash outflows

Securities sold under agreements  

to repurchase

118,088

–
–

–

179,925
(24,020)

209,603
(29,900)

(35,264)
23,462

(5,015,173)
(606,662)

(118,088)

Financial liabilities at fair value 

through profit or loss

Annuity and other insurance  

balances payable

Interest-bearing loans and  

other borrowings

Bonds payable
Lease liabilities

3,859

(3,859)

–

51,019

20,045
34,990
3,091

–

–
–
–

(51,019)

(4,776)
(332)
(1,331)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,572)
(2,996)
(1,491)

(16,111)
(37,996)
(440)

–

–

–

–
–
(74)

Subtotal

3,051,632

(3,859)

(19,641)

173,644

(66,349)

(5,621,909)

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

345,382

602,137

556,776

855,143

600,960

(3,720,646)

The amounts set forth in the tables above for insurance and investment contracts in each column are the undiscounted 
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, the lapse rate, the loss ratio of 
short-term insurance contracts, expense and other assumptions. Actual experience may differ from estimates.

161

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.3  Liquidity risk (continued)

The liquidity analysis above does not include policyholder dividends payable of RMB122,510 million as at 31 December 
2020  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB112,593  million).  As  at  31  December  2020,  declared  dividends  of  RMB82,154 
million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB77,512 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 undiscounted 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  be  surrendered 
immediately,  it  would  cause  a  cash  outflow  of  RMB64,445  million  and  RMB220,973  million,  respectively  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2020 (2019: RMB61,178 million and RMB204,037 million, respectively), payable within one year.

4.2.4  Capital management

The Group’s objectives for managing capital are to comply with the insurance capital requirements based on the minimum 
capital and actual capital required by the CBIRC, prevent risk in operation 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  replenishes  capital  to  improve  the  solvency  ratio  by  issuing  Core  Tier  2  Capital  Securities  and  bonds  for  capital 
replenishment according to the relevant laws and the approval of the relevant authorities.

The  Group  is  also  subject  to  other  local  capital  requirements,  such  as  statutory  deposits  –  restricted  requirement, 
statutory insurance fund requirement, statutory reserve fund requirement and general reserve requirement discussed in 
detail in Note 10.4, Note 21 and Note 38, respectively.

The Group manages capital to ensure its continuous and full compliance with the regulations mainly through monitoring 
its quarterly solvency ratios, as well as the solvency ratio based on annual stress testing.

162

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.2  Financial risk (continued)

4.2.4  Capital management (continued)

The table below summarises the core and comprehensive solvency ratio, core capital, actual capital and minimum capital 
of the Company under Insurance Institution Solvency Regulations (No.1 – No.17):

Core capital
Actual capital
Minimum capital
Core solvency ratio
Comprehensive solvency ratio

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

1,031,947
1,066,939
396,749
260%
269%

952,030
987,067
356,953
267%
277%

According  to  the  solvency  ratios  results  mentioned  above,  and  the  unquantifiable  evaluation  results  of  operational 
risk,  strategic  risk,  reputational  risk  and  liquidity  risk  of  insurance  companies,  the  CBIRC  evaluates  the  comprehensive 
solvency of insurance companies and supervises insurance companies by classifying them into four categories:

(i)  Category  A:  solvency  ratios  meet  the  requirements,  and  the  operational  risk,  strategic  risk,  reputational  risk  and 
liquidity risk are very low;

(ii)  Category  B:  solvency  ratios  meet  the  requirements,  and  the  operational  risk,  strategic  risk,  reputational  risk  and 
liquidity risk are low;

(iii)  Category  C:  solvency  ratios  do  not  meet  the  requirements  or  solvency  ratios  meet  the  requirements  but  one  or 
several risks in operation, strategy, reputation and liquidity are high;

(iv)  Category  D:  solvency  ratios  do  not  meet  the  requirements  or  solvency  ratios  meet  the  requirements  but  one  or 
several risks in operation, strategy, reputation and liquidity are severe.

According to the Supervision Information System of the China Risk Oriented Solvency System, the latest Integrated Risk 
Rating result of the Company was Category A.

4.3  Disclosures about interest in unconsolidated structured entities

The  Group’s  interest  in  unconsolidated  structured  entities  are  recorded  as  securities  at  fair  value  through  profit  or 
loss, available-for-sale securities and loans. These structured entities typically raise funds by issuing securities or other 
beneficiary  certificates.  The  purpose  of  these  structured  entities  is  primarily  to  generate  management  service  fees, 
or  provide  finance  to  public  and  private  infrastructure  construction.  Refer  to  Note  3.5  for  the  Group’s  consolidation 
judgements related to structured entities.

These structured entities that the Group has interest in are guaranteed by third parties with higher credit ratings, or by 
pledging, or by having the fiscal budget income as the source of repayment, or by borrowers with higher credit ratings.

The Group did not guarantee or provide any financing support for the structured entities that the Group had interest in or 
sponsored.

163

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4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Disclosures about interest in unconsolidated structured entities (continued)

(i)  The unconsolidated structured entities that the Group has interest in

The Group believes that the maximum exposure approximates the carrying amount of interest in these unconsolidated 
structured entities. The size of unconsolidated structured entities as well as the Group’s carrying amount of the assets 
recognised  in  the  financial  statements  relating  to  its  interest  in  unconsolidated  structured  entities  and  the  Group’s 
maximum exposure are shown below:

Unconsolidated structured entities

Carrying
amount 
of assets

Size

Maximum
exposure

Interest held by
the Group

As at 31 December 2020

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

Funds managed by affiliated entities

Funds managed by third parties
Trust schemes managed by affiliated entities
Trust schemes managed by third parties
Debt investment schemes managed by  

affiliated entities

Debt investment schemes managed by  

third parties

Others managed by affiliated entities Note 2

Others managed by third parties Note 2

158,182

Note 1
2,096
Note 1
18,275

Note 1

290,937

Note 1

8,232

99,649
1,298
63,229
9,172

27,747

12,681

75,551

8,232

99,649
1,298
63,229
9,172

27,747

12,681

75,551

Investment income
and service fee
Investment income
Investment income
Investment income
Investment income
and service fee
Investment income

Investment income
and service fee
Investment income

Unconsolidated structured entities

Carrying
amount 
of assets

Size

Maximum
exposure

Interest held by
the Group

As at 31 December 2019

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

Funds managed by affiliated entities

185,158

6,497

6,497

Funds managed by third parties
Trust schemes managed by affiliated entities

Trust schemes managed by third parties
Debt investment schemes managed by  

affiliated entities

Debt investment schemes managed by  

third parties

Others managed by affiliated entities Note 2

Others managed by third parties Note 2

Note 1
6,400

Note 1
34,025

Note 1

452,814

Note 1

106,205
3,588

71,707
14,832

37,112

10,827

98,003

106,205
3,588

71,707
14,832

37,112

10,827

98,003

Investment income
and service fee
Investment income
Investment income
and service fee
Investment income
Investment income
and service fee
Investment income

Investment income
and service fee
Investment income

Note 1:  Funds, trust schemes, debt investment schemes and others managed by third parties were sponsored by third party financial institutions and the 

information related to size of these structured entities were not publicly available.

Note 2:  Others included wealth management products, special asset management schemes, and asset-backed plans, etc.

164

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.3  Disclosures about interest in unconsolidated structured entities (continued)

(ii)  The unconsolidated structured entities that the Group has sponsored but does not have interest in

As  at  31  December  2020,  the  size  of  the  unconsolidated  structured  entities  that  the  Group  sponsored  but  had  no 
interest  was  RMB686,989  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB600,223  million),  which  were  mainly  funds,  special 
asset management schemes, pension security products and pension products, etc., sponsored by the Group to generate 
management  service  fee  income.  In  2020,  the  management  service  fee  from  these  structured  entities  was  RMB2,092 
million  (2019:  RMB1,749  million),  which  was  recorded  as  other  income.  The  Group  did  not  transfer  assets  to  these 
structured entities.

4.4  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 values 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, 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 a price quote from independent third-party pricing services. In this 
instance,  the  Group’s  valuation  team  may  choose  to  apply  an  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.

As  at  31  December  2020,  assets  classified  as  Level  1  accounted  for  approximately  36.56%  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  with  public  market 
price  quotations.  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 funds’ 
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 the reporting date as their fair market value and classified the investments as Level 1.

As  at  31  December  2020,  assets  classified  as  Level  2  accounted  for  approximately  41.77%  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,  analyse  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.

165

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.4  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

At  31  December  2020,  assets  classified  as  Level  3  accounted  for  approximately  21.67%  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, the comparable companies approach, 
etc. The determination of Level 3 is primarily based on the significance of certain unobservable inputs.

For the accounting policies regarding the determination of fair values of financial assets and liabilities, see Note 3.2.

The following table presents the Group’s quantitative disclosures of the fair value measurement hierarchy for assets and 
liabilities measured at fair value as at 31 December 2020:

Fair value measurement using

Quoted prices
in active
markets
Level 1

Significant
observable
inputs
Level 2

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

97,476
278,255
–
–
11,038

5,838
25,297
2,408
6,244
–

16,731
48,334
41

336
972
2,957
–

495,927

(3,732)

(10)

(3,742)

–
22,994
–
13,013
41,401

43,418
143,716
133,617
75,551
816

104
524
221

1,302
3,450
83,837
2,752

566,716

–

–

–

–
–
53,778
–
96,232

–
–
–
–
143,905

–
–
–

–
–
9
–

97,476
301,249
53,778
13,013
148,671

49,256
169,013
136,025
81,795
144,721

16,835
48,858
262

1,638
4,422
86,803
2,752

293,924

1,356,567

–

–

–

(3,732)

(10)

(3,742)

Assets measured at fair value
Available-for-sale securities

– Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Preferred stocks
Wealth management products
Others
– Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Subordinated bonds/debts
Others

Securities at fair value through profit or loss

– Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Others
– Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Others

Total

Liabilities measured at fair value
Financial liabilities at fair value through  

profit or loss

Investment contracts at fair value through  

profit or loss

Total

166

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.4  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 financial instruments for the year ended 31 December 2020:

Available-for-sale securities

Securities
at fair value
through
profit or loss

Derivative
financial
assets

Total

Debt
securities

Equity
securities

Debt
securities

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

Opening balance
Purchases
Total gains/(losses) recorded in 

profit or loss

Total gains/(losses) recorded in 
other comprehensive income

Disposals or exercises
Maturity

Closing balance

105,650
38,486

128,899
19,953

–

653
–
(884)

–

7,127
(5,969)
–

143,905

150,010

16
–

(7)

–
–
–

9

428
–

(121)

–
(307)
–

–

234,993
58,439

(128)

7,780
(6,276)
(884)

293,924

167

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.4  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The following table presents the Group’s quantitative disclosures of the fair value measurement hierarchy for assets and 
liabilities measured at fair value as at 31 December 2019:

Fair value measurement using

Quoted prices
in active
markets
Level 1

Significant
observable
inputs
Level 2

Significant
unobservable
inputs
Level 3

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

102,349
214,206
–
–
–

2,620
24,305
5,360
1,069
–

16,023
40,070
–

33
362
7,999
–
–

–
22,117
–
32,640
28,319

21,138
146,884
143,095
52,853
6,817

78
211
20

8
6,497
69,200
1,091
–

–
–
58,314
–
70,585

–
–
–
–
105,650

–
–
–

–
–
16
–
428

102,349
236,323
58,314
32,640
98,904

23,758
171,189
148,455
53,922
112,467

16,101
40,281
20

41
6,859
77,215
1,091
428

414,396

530,968

234,993

1,180,357

(3,859)

(10)

(3,869)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,859)

(10)

(3,869)

Assets measured at fair value
Available-for-sale securities

– Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Preferred stocks
Wealth management products
Others
– Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Subordinated bonds/debts
Others

Securities at fair value through profit or loss

– Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Others
– Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Others

Derivative financial assets

Total

Liabilities measured at fair value
Financial liabilities at fair value through  

profit or loss

Investment contracts at fair value through 

profit or loss

Total

168

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.4  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 financial instruments for the year ended 31 December 2019:

Available-for-sale securities

Securities
at fair value
through
profit or loss

Derivative
financial
assets

Total
assets

Derivative
financial
liabilities

Total
liabilities

Debt
securities

Equity
securities

Debt
securities

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

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

Disposals or exercises
Maturity

79,248
35,453
–
–

100,000
46,561
–
(15,866)

–

–

221
(200)
(9,072)

3,205
(4,000)
(1,001)

Closing balance

105,650

128,899

–
–
16
–

–

–
–
–

16

–
–
–
–

428

–
–
–

428

179,248
82,014
16
(15,866)

(1,877)
–
–
–

(1,877)
–
–
–

428

404

404

3,426
(4,200)
(10,073)

234,993

–
1,473
–

–

–
1,473
–

–

The assets and liabilities whose fair value measurements are classified under Level 3 above do not have material impact 
on the profit or loss of the Group.

For  the  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis,  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2020, 
RMB12,084  million  (2019:  RMB13,307  million)  debt  securities  were  transferred  from  Level  1  to  Level  2  within  the  fair 
value hierarchy, whereas RMB9,825 million (2019: RMB9,716 million) debt securities were transferred from Level 2 to 
Level 1. No material equity securities were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 (2019: same), whereas no material equity 
securities were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 (2019: RMB853 million).

For  the  years  ended  31  December  2020  and  2019,  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  2020  and  2019,  significant  unobservable  inputs  such  as  discount  rate  and  discounts  for  lack  of 
marketability were used in the valuation of primary assets and liabilities at fair value classified as Level 3. The fair value 
was not significantly sensitive to reasonable changes in these significant unobservable inputs.

169

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4  RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

4.4  Fair value hierarchy (continued)

The table below presents information about the significant unobservable inputs used for primary financial instruments at 
fair value classified as Level 3 as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019:

Fair value

Equity  

securities

31 December 2020:  28,162
31 December 2019:  26,265

31 December 2020:  36,697
31 December 2019:  28,346
31 December 2020:  84,212
31 December 2019:  72,477

Valuation
techniques

Comparable 

companies 
approach
Net asset value 
method

Discounted cash 
flow method

Significant
unobservable
inputs

Range

Relationships
between fair value and
unobservable inputs

Discounts for lack  
of marketability

31 December 2020: 12%-35%
31 December 2019: 11%-35%

The fair value is inversely related to the 
discounts for lack of marketability

N/A

N/A

N/A

Discount rate

31 December 2020: 3.80%-6.07%
31 December 2019: 3.80%-6.38%

The  fair value is inversely  related  to 

discount rate

Debt  

securities

31 December 2020: 143,905
31 December 2019: 105,666

Discounted cash 
flow method

Discount rate

31 December 2020: 3.88%-9.82%
31 December 2019: 3.02%-6.22%

The  fair value is inversely related  to 

discount rate

Derivative 
financial 
assets

31 December 2020: 
31 December 2019: 

–
428

Comparable 

companies 
approach

Discounts for lack  
of marketability

31 December 2020: N/A
31 December 2019: 15%

The fair value is inversely related to the 
discounts for lack of marketability

170

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

(iv)  Other businesses (Others)

Other businesses relate primarily to income and cost of the agency business in respect of transactions with CLIC, etc., 
as described in Note 35, net share of profit of associates and joint ventures, income and expenses of subsidiaries, and 
unallocated income and expenditure of the Group.

5.2  Allocation basis of income and expenses

Investment income, net realised gains on financial assets, net fair value gains through profit or loss and foreign exchange 
gains/(losses) within other expenses are allocated among segments in proportion to the respective segments’ 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, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and derivative financial liabilities are allocated among 
segments in proportion to the respective segments’ average liabilities of insurance contracts and investment contracts 
at  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  year.  Insurance  and  investment  contract  liabilities  are  presented  under  the  respective 
segments. The remaining assets and liabilities are not allocated.

171

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)5  SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2020

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 on financial assets
Net fair value gains through profit or loss
Other income

Including: inter-segment revenue

Segment 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
Statutory insurance fund contribution
Other expenses

Including: inter-segment expenses

480,593
2,674
73,747
109,275
294,897
479,600
140,963
13,523
17,727
1,284
–

653,097

115,089
–
–
–
–
109,091
9,202
877
1,148
75
–

120,393

16,583
–
–
–
–
15,975
462
44
58
–
–

16,539

(108,862)

(4,714)

(33)

–
(382,132)
(9,494)

(28,129)
(60,841)
(2,798)
(23,360)
(833)
(8,575)
(2,292)

(44,987)
(32,445)
(352)

(150)
(15,921)
(183)
(8,677)
(302)
(1,051)
(148)

(7,408)
(220)
–

–
(5,315)
(7)
(2,649)
(94)
(241)
(8)

–
–
–
–
–
–
3,870
139
2,967
10,404
2,448

17,380

–

–
–
–

–
(2,265)
(759)
(3,001)
–
(4,789)
–

Segment benefits, claims and expenses

(625,024)

(108,782)

(15,967)

(10,814)

Net gains on investments of  

associates and joint ventures
Including: share of profit of associates 

and joint ventures

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

172

–

–

–

–

–

–

28,073

11,611

572

7,666

8,336

14,232

23,685

3,086

1,534

1,118

78

351

402

606

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2,448)
(2,448)

(2,448)

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
2,448
2,448

2,448

–

–

–

–

–

612,265

604,666
154,497
14,583
21,900
9,315
–

804,961

(113,609)

(52,395)
(414,797)
(9,846)

(28,279)
(84,342)
(3,747)
(37,687)
(1,229)
(12,208)
–

(758,139)

7,666

8,336

54,488

(3,103) 
51,385 

50,268
1,117

25,699

5,161

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

As at 31 December 2020

Life

Health

Accident

Others

Elimination

Total

RMB million

3,537,020
10,076

222,559
14,939

3,547,096

237,498

10,964
675

11,639

117,237
239,584

356,821

Assets
Financial assets
Others

Segment assets

Unallocated
Property, plant and equipment
Others

Total

Liabilities
Insurance contracts
Investment contracts
Securities sold under agreements to 

repurchase

Others

2,767,642
271,757

195,487
16,455

10,096
–

109,156
84,668

7,070
6,013

358
370

–
–

5,665
23,288

28,953

Segment liabilities

3,233,223

225,025

10,824

Unallocated
Others

Total

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

3,887,780
265,274

4,153,054

52,747
46,609

4,252,410

2,973,225
288,212

122,249
114,339

3,498,025

297,454

3,795,479

173

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2019

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 on financial assets
Net fair value gains through profit or loss
Other income

Including: inter-segment revenue

Segment 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
Statutory insurance fund contribution
Other expenses

Including: inter-segment expenses

446,562
2,584
61,612
113,950
268,416
445,719
129,334
1,646
16,947
1,110
–

594,756

105,581
–
–
–
–
99,575
7,849
100
1,027
60
–

108,611

14,943
–
–
–
–
14,984
443
6
58
–
–

15,491

(124,194)

(3,649)

(34)

–
(303,479)
(8,810)

(22,251)
(57,071)
(3,288)
(25,328)
(797)
(7,120)
(1,573)

(44,613)
(27,209)
(347)

(124)
(16,554)
(200)
(9,075)
(273)
(692)
(95)

(6,170)
(119)
–

–
(5,443)
(12)
(2,962)
(93)
(169)
(5)

Segment benefits, claims and expenses

(552,338)

(102,736)

(15,002)

–

–

–

–

–

–

42,418

5,875

489

Net gains on investments of associates  

and joint ventures
Including: share of profit of associates 

and joint ventures

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

–
–
–
–
–
–
2,293
79
1,219
8,698
1,673

12,289

–

–
–
–

–
(2,328)
(755)
(2,910)
–
(3,294)
–

(9,287)

8,011

9,159

11,013

31,861

1,931

109

312

946

479

Depreciation and amortisation

2,671

917

174

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1,673)
(1,673)

(1,673)

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
1,673
1,673

1,673

–

–

–

–

–

567,086

560,278
139,919
1,831
19,251
8,195
–

729,474

(127,877)

(50,783)
(330,807)
(9,157)

(22,375)
(81,396)
(4,255)
(40,275)
(1,163)
(9,602)
–

(677,690)

8,011

9,159

59,795

(781)

59,014

58,287
727

34,847

4,379

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

As at 31 December 2019

Life

Health

Accident

Others

Elimination

Total

RMB million

Assets
Financial assets
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

3,111,140
8,953

3,120,093

183,142
12,109

195,251

10,080
572

10,652

76,907
222,983

299,890

2,385,407
252,362

158,800
15,442

106,377
80,820

6,447
5,687

2,824,966

186,376

8,529
–

365
346

9,240

–
–

4,899
23,904

28,803

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

3,381,269
244,617

3,625,886

51,758
49,090

3,726,734

2,552,736
267,804

118,088
110,757

3,049,385

268,007

3,317,392

175

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Office 
equipment, 
furniture and 
fixtures

Buildings

44,771
6,010
222
–
(575)

50,428

(11,811)
(1,582)
308

(13,085)

(24)
–
–

(24)

8,368
3
626
–
(906)

8,091

(5,484)
(725)
776

(5,433)

–
–
–

–

32,936

37,319

2,884

2,658

Motor 
vehicles

Assets under 
construction

Leasehold 
improvements

Total

RMB million

1,364
–
131
–
(143)

1,352

(841)
(189)
139

(891)

–
–
–

–

523

461

14,378
(6,456)
5,509
(2,098)
–

11,333

–
–
–

–

(1)
–
–

(1)

2,619
322
–
–
(143)

2,798

(1,581)
(377)
137

(1,821)

–
–
–

–

71,500
(121)
6,488
(2,098)
(1,767)

74,002

(19,717)
(2,873)
1,360

(21,230)

(25)
–
–

(25)

14,377

11,332

1,038

977

51,758

52,747

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Transfers upon completion
Additions
Transfers into investment properties
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Impairment
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

176

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Office 
equipment, 
furniture and 
fixtures

Buildings

37,262
7,171
415
–
(77)

44,771

(10,414)
(1,397)
(48)
48

(11,811)

(24)
–
–

(24)

7,658
288
1,026
–
(604)

8,368

(5,443)
(620)
–
579

(5,484)

–
–
–

–

26,824

32,936

2,215

2,884

Motor 
vehicles

Assets under 
construction

Leasehold 
improvements

Total

RMB million

1,340
–
195
–
(171)

1,364

(813)
(190)
–
162

(841)

–
–
–

–

527

523

16,902
(8,164)
8,656
(2,977)
(39)

14,378

–
–
–
–

–

(1)
–
–

(1)

2,191
532
3
–
(107)

2,619

(1,377)
(283)
–
79

(1,581)

–
–
–

–

65,353
(173)
10,295
(2,977)
(998)

71,500

(18,047)
(2,490)
(48)
868

(19,717)

(25)
–
–

(25)

16,901

14,377

814

1,038

47,281

51,758

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Transfers upon completion
Additions
Transfers into investment properties
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Other additions
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Impairment
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

As  at  31  December  2020,  the  net  book  value  of  buildings  above  which  were  in  process  to  obtain  title  certificates  was 
RMB6,159 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB8,852 million).

177

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7  LEASES

(a)  Right-of-use assets

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Impairment
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Impairment
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Buildings

Others

Total

RMB million

4,686
1,157
(413)

5,430

(1,167)
(1,517)
329

(2,355)

–
–
–

–

3,519

3,075

2
1
(1)

2

(1)
(1)
1

(1)

–
–
–

–

1

1

4,688
1,158
(414)

5,432

(1,168)
(1,518)
330

(2,356)

–
–
–

–

3,520

3,076

Buildings

Others

Total

RMB million

2,554
2,262
(130)

4,686

–
(1,196)
29

(1,167)

–
–
–

–

2,554

3,519

1
1
–

2

–
(1)
–

(1)

–
–
–

–

1

1

2,555
2,263
(130)

4,688

–
(1,197)
29

(1,168)

–
–
–

–

2,555

3,520

The Group had no significant profit or loss from subleasing right-of-use assets or sale and leaseback transactions for the 
year ended 31 December 2020 (2019: same).

The Group’s right-of-use assets include the above assets and land use rights disclosed in Note 14.

178

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7  LEASES  (continued)

(b)  The amounts recognised in profit or loss in relation to leases are as follows:

Interest on lease liabilities
Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets
Expense relating to short-term leases
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets  

(except for short-term lease liabilities)

Total

8  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Additions

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Additions

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

Fair value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

113
1,518
259

2

1,892

106
1,197
440

3

1,746

Buildings

RMB million

12,898
2,487

15,385

(757)
(411)

(1,168)

12,141

14,217

14,870

17,285

179

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Fair value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Buildings

RMB million

10,227
3,022
(351)

12,898

(480)
(325)
48

(757)

9,747

12,141

12,449

14,870

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  categorised  as  property,  plant  and  equipment  of  the  Group  in  the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group has no restrictions on the use of its investment properties and no contractual obligations to each investment 
property purchased, constructed or developed or for repairs, maintenance and enhancements.

As at 31 December 2020, the net book value of investment properties which were in process to obtain title certificates 
was RMB1,044 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB5,809 million).

The  fair  value  of  investment  properties  of  the  Group  as  at  31  December  2020  amounted  to  RMB17,285  million  (as  at 
31 December 2019: RMB14,870 million), which was estimated by the Group having regards to valuations performed by 
independent appraisers. The investment properties were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

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.

180

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

As at 1 January
Change of the cost
Share of profit or loss
Declared dividends
Other equity movements
Impairment

As at 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

222,983
13,997
8,336
(5,253)
228
(707)

239,584

198,772
18,590
9,159
(3,227)
1,189
(1,500)

222,983

Accounting 
method

As at 
31 December 
2019

Cost

Change of 
the cost

Share of 
profit 
or loss

Other 
equity 
movements

As at 
31 December 
2020

Percentage 
of equity 
interest

Accumulated 
amount of 
impairment

Provision of 
impairment

Declared 
dividends

Movement

Associates

China Guangfa Bank Co., Ltd.  

(“CGB”) (i)

Equity Method

45,176

75,180

Sino-Ocean Group Holding Limited 

(“Sino-Ocean”) (ii)

Equity Method

11,245

11,387

China Life Property & Casualty 
Insurance Company Limited 
(“CLP&C”)

COFCO Futures Company Limited 

Equity Method

(“COFCO Futures”)

Equity Method

Sinopec Sichuan to East China Gas 

6,000

1,339

9,332

1,550

Pipeline Co., Ltd.  
(“Pipeline Company”)
China United Network 

Communications Limited  
(“China Unicom”) (iii)

Others (iv)

Subtotal

Joint ventures

Equity Method

20,000

21,433

Equity Method
Equity Method

21,801
42,391

22,068
29,755

147,952

170,705

Joy City Commercial Property  

Fund L.P. (“Joy City”)

Mapleleaf Century Limited (“MCL”)
Others (iv)

Equity Method
Equity Method
Equity Method

Subtotal

Total

6,281
7,656
42,786

56,723

5,849
5,140
41,289

52,278

–

–

–

–

–

(28)
13,160

13,132

–
–
865

865

6,185

717

746

73

(550)

(178)

(271)

(10)

1,231

(1,998)

516
(1,032)

8,436

100
(477)
277

(100)

(193)
(789)

(3,989)

(154)
–
(1,110)

(1,264)

(5,253)

204,675

222,983

13,997

8,336

(841)

66

813

(1)

10

70
461

578

(16)
73
(407)

(350)

228

–

79,974

43.686%

–

(707)

11,285

29.59%

(3,217)

–

–

–

–
–

10,620

40.00%

1,612

35.00%

20,676

43.86%

10.29%

22,433
41,555

–

–

–

–
–

(707)

188,155

(3,217)

66.67%
75.00%

–
–
–

–

5,779
4,736
40,914

51,429

–
–
–

–

(707)

239,584

(3,217)

181

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.  INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)

(i)  The 2019 final dividend of RMB0.0639 in cash per ordinary share was approved and declared in the Annual General 
Meeting of CGB on 23 June 2020. The Company received a cash dividend of RMB550 million.

(ii)  The  2019  final  dividend  of  HKD0.026  in  cash  per  ordinary  share  was  approved  and  declared  in  the  Annual  General 
Meeting of Sino-Ocean on 20 May 2020. The Company received a cash dividend equivalent to RMB54 million. The 2020 
interim dividend of HKD0.062 in cash per ordinary share was approved and declared by the Board of Directors of Sino-
Ocean on 17 August 2020. The Company received a cash dividend equivalent to RMB124 million.

Sino-Ocean,  the  Group’s  associate  is  listed  in  Hong  Kong.  On  31  December  2020,  the  stock  price  of  Sino-Ocean  was 
HKD1.55 per share. As at 31 December 2019, the cumulative impairment loss of RMB2.51 billion for the investment in 
Sino-Ocean had been recognised by the Group. The Group performed an impairment test to this investment on 30 June 
2020. A further impairment loss of RMB707 million was recognised for this investment valued using the discounted future 
cash  flow  method.  On  31  December  2020,  the  Group  continued  to  perform  an  impairment  test  to  this  investment  and 
no further impairment loss should be made, which involved significant assumptions including selling prices of properties 
under development, rental prices of investment properties and discount rates, and the Group used 10% as the discount 
rate  of  cash  flow  for  properties  under  development  and  investment  properties  (As  at  31  December  2019:  10%  for 
properties under development and 8% for investment properties).

(iii)  The 2019 final dividend of RMB0.0604 in cash per ordinary share was approved and declared in the Annual General 
Meeting of China Unicom on 22 May 2020. The Company received a cash dividend of RMB193 million. On 31 December 
2020, China Unicom’s share price was RMB4.46 per share.

(iv)  The Group invested in real estate, industrial logistics assets and other industries through these enterprises.

(v)  There is no significant restriction for the Group to dispose of its associates and joint ventures.

As at 31 December 2020, the major associates and joint ventures of the Group are as follows:

Place of incorporation

Percentage of 
equity interest held

PRC
Hong Kong, PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC

The British Cayman Islands
The British Virgin Islands

43.686%
29.59%
40.00%
35.00%
43.86%
10.29%

66.67%
75.00%

Name

Associates
CGB
Sino-Ocean
CLP&C
COFCO Futures
Pipeline Company
China Unicom

Joint ventures
Joy City
MCL

182

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)

As at 31 December 2019, the major associates and joint ventures of the Group are as follows:

Name

Associates
CGB
Sino-Ocean
CLP&C
COFCO Futures
Pipeline Company
China Unicom

Joint ventures
Joy City
MCL

Place of incorporation

Percentage of 
equity interest held

PRC
Hong Kong, PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC

The British Cayman Islands
The British Virgin Islands

43.686%
29.59%
40.00%
35.00%
43.86%
10.29%

66.67%
75.00%

The  following  table  illustrates  the  financial  information  of  the  Group’s  major  associates  and  joint  ventures  as  at  31 
December 2020 and for the year ended 31 December 2020:

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
Gross carrying value of the investments
Impairment
Net carrying value of the investments

Total revenues
Net profit/(loss)
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

CGB

Sino-Ocean

CLP&C

COFCO 
Futures

Pipeline 
Company

China 
Unicom

Joy City

MCL

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

3,027,972
2,809,822
218,150

173,159
2,612

175,771
43.686%
79,974
–
79,974

80,525
13,812
(1,944)
11,868

263,528
193,806
69,722

52,273
(6,528)

45,745
29.59%
14,502
(3,217)
11,285

61,271
4,675
630
5,305

106,930
80,379
26,551

26,551
–

26,551
40.00%
10,620
–
10,620

77,990
1,730
1,991
3,721

20,567
17,512
3,055

3,048
–

3,048
35.00%
1,612
–
1,612

2,193
208
(5)
203

34,933
1,068
33,865

33,865
427

34,292
43.86%
20,676
–
20,676

5,259
2,823
–
2,823

582,475
251,001
331,474

147,709
16,981

164,690
10.29%
22,433
–
22,433

306,490
12,525
(1,706)
10,819

10,306
85
10,221

10,221
(1,552)

8,669
66.67%
5,779
–
5,779

360
339
(25)
314

24,196
13,342
10,854

10,854
(4,540)

6,314
75.00%
4,736
–
4,736

853
185
650
835

183

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)

The  following  table  illustrates  the  financial  information  of  the  Group’s  major  associates  and  joint  ventures  as  at  31 
December 2019 and for the year ended 31 December 2019:

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
Gross carrying value of the investments
Impairment
Net carrying value of the investments

Total revenues
Net profit/(loss)
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

CGB

Sino-Ocean

CLP&C

COFCO 
Futures

Pipeline 
Company

China 
Unicom

Joy City

MCL

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

2,632,798
2,423,234
209,564

164,573
412

164,985
43.686%
75,180
–
75,180

76,312
12,581
643
13,224

243,700
178,088
65,612

49,909
(6,209)

43,700
29.59%
13,897
(2,510)
11,387

56,704
4,166
152
4,318

91,167
67,837
23,330

23,330
–

23,330
40.00%
9,332
–
9,332

69,498
2,123
1,310
3,433

12,671
9,792
2,879

2,872
–

2,872
35.00%
1,550
–
1,550

793
153
1
154

36,327
777
35,550

35,550
449

35,999
43.86%
21,433
–
21,433

5,008
2,635
–
2,635

564,231
240,735
323,496

143,327
17,454

160,781
10.29%
22,068
–
22,068

291,435
11,264
(501)
10,763

10,281
168
10,113

10,113
(1,339)

8,774
66.67%
5,849
–
5,849

306
287
–
287

24,381
13,620
10,761

10,761
(3,908)

6,853
75.00%
5,140
–
5,140

795
348
–
348

(i) 

Including adjustments for the difference of accounting policies, fair value and others.

The Group had no contingent liabilities with the associates and joint ventures as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 
2019. The Group had a capital contribution commitment of RMB25,364 million with joint ventures as at 31 December 2020 
(as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB24,430  million).  The  capital  contribution  commitment  amount  has  been  included  in  the 
capital commitments in Note 41.

184

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  FINANCIAL ASSETS

10.1  Held-to-maturity securities

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 overseas
Unlisted (i)

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

265,198
617,515
201,988
104,668

1,189,369

215,671
148
70
973,480

1,189,369

215,928
401,799
198,322
112,702

928,751

209,123
157
62
719,409

928,751

(i)  Unlisted debt securities include those traded on the Chinese interbank market.

As at 31 December 2020, an accumulated impairment loss of RMB20 million (2019: RMB17 million) for the investment of 
held-to-maturity securities has been recognised by the Group.

Debt securities – fair value and hierarchy

Level 1

Level 2

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Total

As at 31 December 2020

As at 31 December 2019

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Subordinated bonds/debts

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

37,134
71,715
4,433
12,332

238,636
559,488
205,440
96,362

275,770
631,203
209,873
108,694

125,614

1,099,926

1,225,540

15,749
57,955
7,914
–

81,618

212,449
357,058
198,879
118,571

886,957

228,198
415,013
206,793
118,571

968,575

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 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

25,520
146,463
206,134
811,252

1,189,369

24,454
128,266
241,372
534,659

928,751

185

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

10.2  Loans

Policy loans (i)
Other loans

Total

Impairment

Net value

Maturing:

Within one year
After one year but within five years
After five years but within ten years
After ten years

Total

Impairment

Net value

(i)  As at 31 December 2020, maturities of policy loans were within 6 months (as at 31 December 2019: same).

10.3  Term deposits

Maturing:

Within one year
After one year but within five years
After five years but within ten years

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

200,730
460,248

660,978

(2,443)

658,535

174,872
436,766

611,638

(2,718)

608,920

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

231,291
287,196
114,885
27,606

660,978

(2,443)

658,535

213,937
229,415
129,596
38,690

611,638

(2,718)

608,920

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

63,079
480,848
1,740

545,667

107,039
420,191
8,030

535,260

As  at  31  December  2020,  the  Group’s  term  deposits  of  RMB750  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB3,491  million) 
were deposited in banks to back overseas borrowings and are restricted to use.

186

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

10.4  Statutory deposits – restricted

Contractual maturity schedule:

Within one year
After one year but within five years

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

–
6,333

6,333

180
6,153

6,333

Insurance companies in China are required to deposit an amount that equals 20% of their registered capital with banks in 
compliance with regulations of the CBIRC. These funds may not be used for any purpose other than for paying off debts 
during liquidation proceedings.

10.5  Available-for-sale securities

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
Wealth management products
Others (i)

Subtotal

Available-for-sale securities, at cost

Equity securities

Others (i)

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

49,256
169,013
136,025
81,795
144,721

580,810

97,476
301,249
53,778
13,013
148,671

614,187

23,758
171,189
148,455
53,922
112,467

509,791

102,349
236,323
58,314
32,640
98,904

528,530

20,606

20,636

1,215,603

1,058,957

(i)  Other available-for-sale securities mainly include unlisted equity investments, private equity funds, trust schemes and perpetual bonds.

187

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

10.5  Available-for-sale securities (continued)

Debt securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Unlisted

Subtotal

Equity securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed in Hong Kong, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

42,154
538,656

580,810

200,254
108,493
278
325,768

634,793

46,505
463,286

509,791

152,293
95,428
1,458
299,987

549,166

1,215,603

1,058,957

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 quotations, wealth management products and private equity funds.

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 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

36,870
125,202
271,394
147,344

580,810

26,075
155,110
226,421
102,185

509,791

188

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

10.6  Securities at fair value through profit or loss

Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Others

Subtotal

Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Others

Subtotal

Total

Debt securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed in Hong Kong, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Equity securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed in Hong Kong, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

1,638
4,422
86,803
2,752

95,615

16,835
48,858
262

65,955

41
6,859
77,215
1,091

85,206

16,101
40,281
20

56,402

161,570

141,608

32,333
72
262
62,948

95,615

51,629
80
4,213
10,033

65,955

35,804
102
167
49,133

85,206

39,770
611
6,418
9,603

56,402

161,570

141,608

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 quotations.

189

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10  FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

10.7  Derivative financial assets

Forward contracts

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

–

428

The  derivative  financial  assets  of  the  Company  above  were  all  forward  contracts  to  purchase  equity  securities.The  fair 
value was based on active quoted price of the equity security with consideration of discounts for lack of marketability, 
which was classified as Level 3.

10.8  Securities purchased under agreements to resell

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

7,947

7,947

4,467

4,467

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

12,570
26,454
6,176

45,200

44,197
1,003

45,200

12,310
25,048
4,345

41,703

40,710
993

41,703

Maturing:

Within 30 days

Total

10.9  Accrued investment income

Bank deposits
Debt securities
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

190

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  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 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

1,189,369
658,535
545,667
6,333
1,194,997
161,570
–

7,947
56,629
(288,212)

928,751
608,920
535,260
6,333
1,038,321
141,608
428

4,467
53,306
(267,804)

1,225,540
667,545
545,667
6,333
1,194,997
161,570
–

7,947
56,629
(276,521)

968,575
623,840
535,260
6,333
1,038,321
141,608
428

4,467
53,306
(260,592)

(3,732)

(3,859)

(3,732)

(3,859)

(122,249)
(34,992)
(19,556)

(118,088)
(34,990)
(20,045)

(122,249)
(35,602)
(19,556)

(118,088)
(35,551)
(20,045)

Held-to-maturity securities (ii)
Loans (iii)
Term deposits
Statutory deposits – restricted
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
Securities at fair value through profit or loss
Derivative financial assets
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
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(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  is  determined  by  reference  with  other  debt  securities  which  are  measured  by  fair value.  Please  refer  to 

Note 4.4.

(iii)  Investment contracts at fair value through profit or loss have quoted prices in active markets, and therefore, their fair value was classified as Level 1.

The fair value of policy loans approximated its carrying value. The fair values of other loans and investment contracts at amortised cost were determined 
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 values of other 
loans and investment contracts at amortised cost were classified as Level 3.

12  PREMIUMS RECEIVABLE

As at 31 December 2020, the carrying value of premiums receivable within one year was RMB20,458 million (as at 31 
December 2019: RMB17,205 million).

191

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13  REINSURANCE ASSETS

Long-term insurance contracts ceded (Note 15)
Due from reinsurance companies
Ceded unearned premiums (Note 15)
Claims recoverable from reinsurers (Note 15)

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

14  OTHER ASSETS

Land use rights (i)
Disbursements
Automated policy loans
Tax prepaid
Investments receivable and prepaid
Due from related parties
Prepayments to constructors
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

4,228
1,135
523
209

6,095

1,867
4,228

6,095

3,839
808
369
145

5,161

1,318
3,843

5,161

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

8,056
5,866
3,522
2,257
1,559
722
187
6,852

29,021

19,706
9,315

29,021

7,830
5,946
3,377
5,615
2,665
757
847
6,992

34,029

24,175
9,854

34,029

(i)  The Group’s right-of-use assets include the above land use rights and right-of-use assets disclosed in Note 7.

192

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15  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 the 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  the  rate  assumptions,  the  Group  considers  investment  experience,  the  current  investment 
portfolio and the trend of the relevant yield curves. The assumed discount rates reflect the future economic outlook as 
well as the Group’s investment strategy. The assumed discount rates with risk margin are as follows:

As at 31 December 2020
As at 31 December 2019

Discount rate assumptions

4.85%
4.85%

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 spot discount rates with risk margin are as follows:

As at 31 December 2020
As at 31 December 2019

Discount rate assumptions

3.09%~4.80%
3.52%~4.83%

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 the 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 with the age of the insured and contract type.

The  Group  bases  its  mortality  assumptions  on  China  Life  Insurance  Mortality  Table  (2010-2013),  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. Firstly, wide-ranging lifestyle changes 
could  result  in  future  deterioration  in  morbidity  experience.  Secondly,  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.

193

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15  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 determines expense assumptions based on information obtained at the end 
of each reporting period and risk margin. Components of expense assumptions include the 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 2020
As at 31 December 2019

45.00
45.00

0.85%~0.90%
0.85%~0.90%

25.00
25.00

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 bring 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 a consistent method to determine risk margin. The Group considers risk margin for the discount 
rate, mortality and morbidity and expense assumptions to compensate for the uncertain amount and timing of future cash 
flows. When determining risk margin, the Group considers historical experience, future expectations and other factors. 
The Group determines the 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.

194

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(b)  Net liabilities of insurance contracts

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 13)
Short-term insurance contracts

– Claims and claim adjustment expenses (Note 13)
– Unearned premiums (Note 13)

Total, ceded

Net
Long-term insurance contracts
Short-term insurance contracts

– Claims and claim adjustment expenses
– Unearned premiums

Total, net

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

2,936,533

2,521,331

21,991
14,701

18,404
13,001

2,973,225

2,552,736

(4,228)

(3,839)

(209)
(523)

(4,960)

(145)
(369)

(4,353)

2,932,305

2,517,492

21,782
14,178

18,259
12,632

2,968,265

2,548,383

(c)  Movements in liabilities of short-term insurance contracts

The table below presents movements in claims and claim adjustment expense reserve:

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

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

2,781
15,623

18,404

(32,804)
(16,682)

52,589
484

21,991

4,319
17,672

21,991

2,536
12,269

14,805

(33,244)
(14,551)

49,727
1,667

18,404

2,781
15,623

18,404

195

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  INSURANCE CONTRACTS (continued)

(c)  Movements in liabilities of short-term insurance contracts (continued)

The table below presents movements in unearned premium reserves:

As at 1 January
Increase
Release

As at 31 December

2020

RMB million

2019

RMB million

Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net

13,001
14,701
(13,001)

14,701

(369)
(523)
369

(523)

12,632
14,178
(12,632)

11,432
13,001
(11,432)

14,178

13,001

(370)
(369)
370

(369)

11,062
12,632
(11,062)

12,632

(d)  Movements in liabilities of long-term insurance contracts

The table below presents movements in the liabilities of long-term insurance contracts:

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

As at 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

2,521,331

2,189,794

536,150
(288,959)
129,679

35,071
3,472
(211)

497,570
(282,189)
114,234

(4,906)
7,308
(480)

2,936,533

2,521,331

(i) 

(ii) 

The release of liabilities mainly consists of release due to death or other benefits and related expenses, release of residual margin and change of 
reserves for claims and claim adjustment expenses.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the change in other assumptions was mainly caused by the change in morbidity rate assumptions of certain 
products, which increased insurance contract liabilities by RMB2,081 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  increased  insurance  contract 
liabilities by RMB1,391 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the change in other assumptions was mainly caused by the change in morbidity rate assumptions of certain 
products, which increased insurance contract liabilities by RMB4,737 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  increased  insurance  contract 
liabilities by RMB2,571 million.

196

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  INVESTMENT CONTRACTS

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

17  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Maturity date

Interest rate

11 January 2020
6 November 2020
6 December 2020
4 January 2021
13 January 2021
18 January 2021(iii)
9 March 2022
8 September 2023
25 June 2024
16 September 2024
27 September 2024

1.50%

LIBOR+2.70%(i)
EURIBOR+3.80%(ii)

1.80%
1.50%
2.50%

EURIBOR+3.00%(iv)

3.10%
3.08%
3.30%

USD LIBOR+1.00%(v)

Guaranteed loans
Credit loans
Guaranteed loans
Credit loans
Guaranteed loans
Credit loans
Guaranteed loans
Guaranteed loans
Credit loans
Credit loans
Credit loans

Total

(i)  2.70% when LIBOR is negative.

(ii)  3.80% when EURIBOR is negative.

(iii)  The loan has been repaid in advance.

(iv)  3.00% when EURIBOR is negative.

(v)  1.00% when USD LIBOR is negative.

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

64,950

61,657

223,252
10

288,212

206,137
10

267,804

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

61,657

59,129

5,000
(3,008)
(39)
1,340

64,950

4,238
(2,959)
(38)
1,287

61,657

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

–
–
–
626
1,015
–
883
2,648
2,444
5,611
6,329

989
126
3,126
–
–
523
–
–
2,515
5,999
6,767

19,556

20,045

197

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18  BONDS PAYABLE

As at 31 December 2020, all bonds payable were the bonds for capital replenishment (the “Bond”) with a total carrying 
value of RMB34,992 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB34,990 million), and the fair value of RMB35,602 million (as 
at 31 December 2019: RMB35,551 million). The fair value of the Bond was classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 
The following table presents the par value of the bonds payable:

Issue date

Maturity date

Interest rate p.a.

22 March 2019

22 March 2029

4.28%

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

35,000

35,000

35,000

35,000

The fair value of bonds payable is based on the valuation results of China Central Depository & Clearing Co., Ltd.

On 20 March 2019, the Company issued a bond in the national inter-bank bond market at a principal amount of RMB35 
billion, and completed the issuance on 22 March 2019. The bond has a 10-year maturity and a fixed coupon rate of 4.28% 
per annum. The Company has a conditional right to redeem the bonds at the end of the fifth year. If the Company does 
not redeem the bonds at the end of the fifth year, the coupon rate per annum for the remaining 5 years will be raised to 
5.28%.

Bonds payable are measured at amortised cost as described in Note 2.15.

19  SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Interbank market
Stock exchange market

Total

Maturing:

Within 30 days
More than 30 days within 90 days
After 90 days

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

97,974
24,275

122,249

122,101
140
8

122,249

63,631
54,457

118,088

117,928
–
160

118,088

As  at  31  December  2020,  bonds  with  a  carrying  value  of  RMB113,454  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB92,011 
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 2020, the carrying value of 
securities deposited in the collateral pool was RMB256,062 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB256,700 million). The 
collateral is restricted from trading during the period of the repurchase transaction.

198

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  OTHER LIABILITIES

Payable to the third-party holders of consolidated structured entities
Interest payable to policyholders
Salary and welfare payable
Brokerage and commission payable
Payable to constructors
Agent deposits
Interest payable of debt instruments
Tax payable
Stock appreciation rights (Note 32)
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

As at 
31 December 
2020

As at 
31 December 
2019

RMB million

RMB million

42,654
16,139
11,318
7,051
2,594
1,811
1,320
889
493
20,157

104,426

104,426
–

104,426

21,400
14,113
11,475
7,418
3,329
1,998
1,327
674
748
18,632

81,114

81,114
–

81,114

21  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  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.

199

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22  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

Total

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

44,757
22,695
3,482

24,185
798
25,860
31,948
772

38,229
21,373
3,546

21,823
981
26,695
27,111
161

154,497

139,919

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  the  interest  income  included  in  investment  income  was  RMB129,514  million 
(2019: RMB117,115 million). All interest income was accrued using the effective interest method.

23  NET REALISED GAINS ON FINANCIAL ASSETS

Debt securities

Realised gains (i)
Impairment (ii)

Subtotal

Equity securities

Realised gains (i)
Impairment (ii)

Subtotal

Total

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

1,287
288

1,575

24,925
(11,917)

13,008

14,583

3,714
(3,749)

(35)

4,504
(2,638)

1,866

1,831

(i)  Realised gains were generated mainly from available-for-sale securities.

(ii)  During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group recognised an impairment charge of RMB111 million (2019: RMB888 million) of available-for-sale 
funds, an impairment charge of RMB11,732 million (2019: RMB1,750 million) of available-for-sale sale stock securities, an impairment charge of RMB74 
million  (2019:  nil)  of  available-for-sale  other  equity  securities,  an  impairment  reverse  of  RMB16  million  (2019:  an  impairment  charge  of  RMB1,027 
million) of available-for-sale debt securities, an impairment reverse of RMB275 million (2019: an impairment charge of RMB2,718 million) of loans and 
an impairment charge of RMB3 million (2019: RMB4 million) of held-to-maturity securities, for which the Group determined that objective evidence of 
impairment existed.

200

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  NET FAIR VALUE GAINS THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

Debt securities
Equity securities
Stock appreciation rights
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Derivative financial instruments

Total

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

(583)
22,997
255
(648)
(121)

21,900

778
18,279
(258)
(380)
832

19,251

25  INSURANCE BENEFITS AND CLAIMS EXPENSES

For the year ended 31 December 2020
Life insurance death and other benefits
Accident and health claims and claim adjustment expenses
Increase in insurance contract liabilities

Total

For the year ended 31 December 2019
Life insurance death and other benefits
Accident and health claims and claim adjustment expenses
Increase in insurance contract liabilities

Total

Gross

Ceded

Net

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

117,129
53,073
415,186

585,388

130,975
51,394
331,523

513,892

(3,520)
(678)
(389)

(4,587)

(3,098)
(611)
(716)

(4,425)

113,609
52,395
414,797

580,801

127,877
50,783
330,807

509,467

26  INVESTMENT CONTRACT BENEFITS

Benefits of investment contracts are mainly the interest credited to investment contracts.

201

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27  FINANCE COSTS

Interest expenses for securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Interest expenses for bonds payable
Interest expenses for interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Interest on lease liabilities

Total

28  PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX

Profit before income tax is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:

Employee salaries and welfare costs
Housing benefits
Contribution to the defined contribution pension plan
Depreciation and amortisation
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)
Remuneration in respect of audit services provided by auditors

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

1,565
1,503
566
113

3,747

2,392
1,168
589
106

4,255

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

19,523
1,317
2,455
5,161
(119)
63

20,125
1,189
2,905
4,379
67
60

29  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 tax authority.

(a)  The amount of taxation charged to net profit represents:

Current taxation – Enterprise income tax
Deferred taxation

Total tax charges

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

6,588
(3,485)

3,103

614
167

781

202

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  TAXATION  (continued)

(b)  The reconciliation between the Group’s effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate of 25% in the PRC (2019: same) 
is as follows:

Profit before income tax

Tax computed at the statutory tax rate
Adjustment on current income tax of previous period (i)
Non-taxable income (ii)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (ii)
Unused tax losses
Others

Income tax at the effective tax rate

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

54,488

13,622
(464)
(10,787)
202
495
35

3,103

59,795

14,949
(5,228)
(9,589)
313
239
97

781

(i)  According  to  Cai  Shui  [2019]  No.72,  Notice  on  Pre-tax  Deduction  Policy  of  Commissions  and  Handling  Charges  for  Insurance  Companies,  the 
commissions and handling charges incurred by insurance companies related to its operating activities, which do not exceed 18% of the total premium 
income of the year after deducting surrender premium, etc., are allowed to be deducted in calculating the taxable income, and the excessive part is 
allowed to be brought forward to subsequent years. This notice issued above was effective from 1 January 2019 and applicable to the final settlement 
and payment of enterprise income tax filing for the year ended 31 December 2018. Accordingly, the Company’s current income tax for the year ended 
31 December 2019 was deducted by RMB5,154 million regarding to the final settlement and payment.

(ii)  Non-taxable  income  mainly  includes  interest  income  from  government  bonds,  dividend  income  from  applicable  equity  securities,  etc.  Expenses  not 
deductible  for  tax  purposes  mainly  include  donations  and  other  expenses  that  do  not  meet  the  criteria  for  deduction  according  to  the  relevant  tax 
regulations.

(c)  As at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, the amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets
Net deferred tax liabilities

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

17,174
(32,373)

87
(15,286)

13,352
(23,554)

128
(10,330)

203

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  TAXATION  (continued)

(c)  As at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, the amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows 
(continued):

As at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, deferred income tax was calculated in full on temporary differences 
under  the  liability  method  using  the  principal  tax  rate  of  25%.  The  movements  in  net  deferred  income  tax  assets  and 
liabilities during the period were as follows:

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Insurance

Investments

Others

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

As at 1 January 2019
(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

As at 31 December 2019

As at 1 January 2020
(Charged)/credited to net profit
(Charged)/credited to other 
comprehensive income
– Available-for-sale securities
– Portion of fair value changes on 

(i)

(5,308)
1,985

(ii)

3,927
(2,428)

–

(16,260)

4,880
–

1,557

1,557
1,787

–
88

(14,673)

(14,673)
1,759

–

(9,446)

available-for-sale securities attributable 
to participating policyholders

– Others

As at 31 December 2020

990
–

4,334

–
(26)

(iii)

2,638
276

–

–
–

2,914

2,914
(61)

–

–
–

1,257
(167)

(16,260)

4,880
88

(10,202)

(10,202)
3,485

(9,446)

990
(26)

(22,386)

2,853

(15,199)

(i)  The deferred tax liabilities arising from the insurance category are 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 
dividends payable.

(ii)  The deferred tax arising from the investments category is mainly related to the temporary differences of unrealised gains/(losses) on available-for-sale 

securities, securities at fair value through profit or loss, and others.

(iii)  The deferred tax arising from the others category is mainly related to the temporary differences of employee salaries and welfare costs payable.

Unrecognised  deductible  tax  losses  of  the  Group  amounted  to  RMB3,300  million  as  at  31  December  2020  (as  at  31 
December  2019:  RMB1,321  million).  Unrecognised  deductible  temporary  differences  of  the  Group  amounted  to  RMB1 
million as at 31 December 2020 (as at 31 December 2019: RMB1 million).

204

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  TAXATION  (continued)

(d)  The analysis of net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:

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

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

10,882
6,292

17,174

(28,107)
(4,266)

(32,373)

(15,199)

7,508
5,844

13,352

(19,906)
(3,648)

(23,554)

(10,202)

30  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 RMB44,594 million (2019: RMB53,205 million).

31  EARNINGS PER SHARE

There is no difference between the basic and diluted earnings per share. The basic and diluted earnings per share for the 
year ended 31 December 2020 are calculated based on the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of 
the Company and the weighted average of 28,264,705,000 ordinary shares (2019: same).

205

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32  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. 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.

As at 31 December 2020, there were 55.01 million units outstanding and exercisable (as at 31 December 2019: same). As 
at 31 December 2020, the amount of intrinsic value for the vested stock appreciation rights was RMB480 million (as at 31 
December 2019: RMB735 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 35% to 40%, an expected dividend yield of no higher 
than 6% and a risk-free interest rate ranging from 0.03% to 0.51%.

The  Company  recognised  a  gain  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 2020 (2019: 
fair value loss of RMB258 million). RMB480 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 2020 (as at 31 
December 2019: RMB735 million and RMB13 million), respectively. There was no unrecognised compensation cost for 
the stock appreciation rights as at 31 December 2020 (as at 31 December 2019: nil).

33  DIVIDENDS

Pursuant  to  the  shareholders’  approval  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  29  June  2020,  a  final  dividend  of  RMB0.73 
(inclusive  of  tax)  per  ordinary  share  totalling  RMB20,633  million  in  respect  of  the  year  ended  31  December  2019  was 
declared and paid in 2020. The dividend has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2020.

A  distribution  of  RMB201  million  (inclusive  of  tax)  to  the  holders  of  Core  Tier  2  Capital  Securities  was  approved  by 
management  in  2020  according  to  the  authorisation  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  which  was  delegated  by  the  General 
Meeting.

Pursuant to a resolution passed at the meeting of the Board of Directors on 25 March 2021, a final dividend of RMB0.64 
(inclusive of tax) per ordinary share totalling approximately RMB18,089 million for the year ended 31 December 2020 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 2020.

206

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)34  DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM IFRS 9

According  to  IFRS  4  Amendments,  the  Company  made  the  assessment  based  on  the  Group’s  financial  position  of  31 
December  2015,  concluding  that  the  carrying  amount  of  the  Group’s  liabilities  arising  from  contracts  within  the  scope 
of  IFRS  4,  which  includes  any  deposit  components  or  embedded  derivatives  unbundled  from  insurance  contracts,  was 
significant compared to the total carrying amount of all its liabilities. The percentage of the total carrying amount of its 
liabilities  connected  with  insurance  relative  to  the  total  carrying  amount  of  all  its  liabilities  is  greater  than  90  percent. 
There had been no significant change in the activities of the Group since then that requires reassessment. Therefore, the 
Group’s activities are predominantly connected with insurance, meeting the criteria to apply temporary exemption from 
IFRS 9.

Sino-Ocean,  China  Unicom,  CGB  and  certain  associates  of  the  Group,  have  adopted  IFRS  9.  According  to  IFRS  4 
Amendments,  the  Group  elected  not  to  apply  uniform  accounting  policies  when  using  the  equity  method  for  these 
associates.

(a)  The  tables  below  present  the  fair  value  of  the  following  groups  and  fair  value  changes  for  the  years  of  financial 
assets(i) under IFRS 9:

Held for trading financial assets
Financial assets that are managed and whose performance are evaluated on 

a fair value basis
Other financial assets

– Financial assets with contractual terms that give rise on specified dates 
to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the 
principal amount outstanding (“SPPI”)

– Financial assets with contractual terms that do not give rise to SPPI

Total

Held for trading financial assets
Financial assets that are managed and whose performance are evaluated on 

a fair value basis
Other financial assets

– Financial assets with contractual terms that give rise to SPPI
– Financial assets with contractual terms that do not give rise to SPPI

Total

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

161,570

141,608

–

–

1,978,361
929,597

3,069,528

1,615,856
860,644

2,618,108

Fair value changes
for the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

22,414

19,057

–

–

(11,064)
55,151

66,501

6,029
77,741

102,827

(i)  Only including securities at fair value through profit or loss, loans (excluding policy loans), available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

207

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34  DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM IFRS 9 (continued)

(b)  The table below presents the credit risk exposure(ii) for aforementioned financial assets with contractual terms that 
give rise to SPPI:

Carrying amount(iii)

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

719,142
1,207,034
4,197
170
3,000

1,933,543

657,905
893,336
7,671
1,163
3,000

1,563,075

–
25
3,654
45
112
13
24

3,873

30
4,014
3,541
35
135
14
25

7,794

1,937,416

1,570,869

Domestic

Rating not required(iv)
AAA
AA+
AA
AA-

Subtotal

Overseas
AAA
A+
A
A-
BBB+
BBB-
Not rated

Subtotal

Total

208

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34  DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM IFRS 9 (continued)

(c)  The table below presents financial assets without low credit risk for aforementioned financial assets with contractual 
terms that give rise to SPPI:

Domestic
Overseas

Total

Domestic
Overseas

Total

As at 31 December 2020

Carrying
amount(iii)

Fair value

RMB million

RMB million

7,367
24

7,391

4,966
4

4,970

As at 31 December 2019

Carrying
amount(iii)

Fair value

RMB million

RMB million

11,834
25

11,859

8,237
9

8,246

(ii)  Credit risk ratings for domestic assets are provided by domestic qualified external rating agencies and credit risk ratings for overseas assets are provided 

by overseas qualified external rating agencies.

(iii)  For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the carrying amount before adjusting impairment allowance is disclosed here.

(iv)  Mainly including government bonds and policy financial bonds.

35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a)  Related parties with control relationship

Information of the parent company is as follows:

Relationship
with the Company

Immediate and
ultimate holding 
company

Nature of 
ownership

State-owned

Legal 
representative

Wang Bin

Name

CLIC

Location of 
registration

Beijing, China

Principal business

I n s u r a n c e  s e r v i c e s  i n c l u d i n g  r e c e i p t 
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; 
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.

209

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(b)  Subsidiaries

Refer to Note 42(d) for the basic and related information of subsidiaries.

(c)  Associates and joint ventures

Refer to Note 9 for the basic and related information of associates and joint ventures.

(d)  Other related parties

Significant related parties

Relationship with the Company

China Life Real Estate Co., Limited (“CLRE”)
China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company Limited (“CL Overseas”)
China Life Investment Management Company Limited (Formerly known 

Under common control of CLIC
Under common control of CLIC
Under common control of CLIC

as “China Life Investment Holding Company Limited”)(“CLI”)

China Life Ecommerce Company Limited (“CL Ecommerce”)
China Life Healthcare Investment company limited (“CLHI”)
China Life Enterprise Annuity Fund (“EAP”)

Under common control of CLIC
Under common control of CLIC
A pension fund jointly set up by 

the Company and others

(e)  Registered capital of related parties with control relationship and changes during the year

Name of related party

As at
31 December
2019

Increase

Decrease

As at
31 December
2020

million

million

million

million

CLIC
AMC
China Life Pension Company Limited 

(“Pension Company”)

China Life (Suzhou) Pension and 

Retirement Investment Company Limited 
(“Suzhou Pension Company”)

CL AMP
CL Wealth
Shanghai Rui Chong Investment Co., Limited 

(“Rui Chong Company”)

RMB4,600
RMB4,000
RMB3,400

RMB1,991

RMB1,288
RMB200
RMB6,800

China Life (Beijing) Health Management 

RMB1,530

Co., Limited (“CL Health”)

China Life Franklin (Shenzhen) Equity 

USD2

Investment Fund Management Co., Limited 
(“Franklin Shenzhen Company”)

Xi’an Shengyi Jingsheng Real Estate Co., Ltd. 

RMB1,131

(“Shengyi Jingsheng”)

Dalian Hope Building Company Ltd. 

RMB484

(“Hope Building”)

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

RMB4,600
RMB4,000
RMB3,400

RMB1,991

RMB1,288
RMB200
RMB6,800

RMB1,530

USD2

RMB1,131

RMB484

The table above does not include the partnerships and the subsidiaries which were not set up or invested in Mainland 
China that having control relationship with the Group. These partnerships and subsidiaries do not have related information 
about registered capital.

210

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(f)  Percentages of holding of related parties with control relationship and changes during the year

Shareholder

As at 31 December 2019

As at 31 December 2020

CLIC

RMB19,324

68.37%

–

–

RMB19,324

68.37%

Percentage
of holding

Amount

million

Increase

Decrease

Amount

million

million

million

Percentage
of holding

Subsidiaries

As at 31 December 2019

As at 31 December 2020

AMC

Pension Company

Amount

million

RMB1,680

RMB2,746

China Life Franklin Asset Management 

HKD130

Company Limited (“AMC HK”)

Suzhou Pension Company

CL AMP

CL Wealth

Golden Phoenix Tree Limited

King Phoenix Tree Limited

Rui Chong Company

New Aldgate Limited

Glorious Fortune Forever Limited

CL Hotel Investor, L.P.

Golden Bamboo Limited

Sunny Bamboo Limited

Fortune Bamboo Limited

RMB1,786

RMB1,095

RMB200

–

–

RMB6,800

RMB1,167

–

–

RMB1,993

RMB1,876

RMB2,435

China Century Core Fund Limited

USD1,125

CL Health

Franklin Shenzhen Company

RMB1,530

USD2

Percentage
of holding

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
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
indirectly

Increase

Decrease

Amount

million

million

million

–

–

–

RMB205

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

RMB95

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

RMB1,680

RMB2,746

HKD130

RMB1,991

RMB1,095

RMB200

–

–

RMB6,800

RMB1,167

–

RMB95

RMB1,993

RMB1,876

RMB2,435

USD1,125

RMB1,530

USD2

Percentage
of holding

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
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
directly
100.00%
indirectly

211

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(f)  Percentages of holding of related parties with control relationship and changes during the year (continued)

Subsidiaries

As at 31 December 2019

As at 31 December 2020

Guo Yang Guo Sheng

New Capital Wisdom Limited

New Fortune Wisdom Limited

Amount

million

RMB3,150

–

–

Wisdom Forever Limited Partnership

USD452

Shanghai Yuan Shu Yuan Jiu Investment 
Management Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“Yuan Shu Yuan Jiu”)
Shanghai Yuan Shu Yuan Pin Investment 
Management Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“Yuan Shu Yuan Pin”)
Shanghai Wansheng Industry Partnership 

(Limited Partnership) (“Shanghai 
Wansheng”)

RMB606

RMB606

RMB4,000

Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area Bai 

RMB1,680

Ning Investment Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“Bai Ning”)

Hope Building

Wuhu Yuanxiang Tianfu Investment 
Management Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“Yuanxiang Tianfu”)
Wuhu Yuanxiang Tianyi Investment 

Management Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“Yuanxiang Tianyi”)

RMB484

RMB533

RMB533

Shengyi Jingsheng

RMB1,063

CBRE Global Investors U.S. Investments I, 

RMB2,859

LLC (“CG Investments”)

China Life Guangde(Tianjin) Equity 

RMB10

Investment Fund Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) (“CL Guang De”)
Beijing China Life Pension Industry 

Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) 
(“CL Pension Industry”) (i)

China Life Qihang Phase I (Tianjin) 

Equity Investment Fund Partnership 
(Limited Partnership) (“China Life 
Qihang Fund I”) (i)

–

–

Percentage
of holding

Increase

Decrease

Amount

million

million

million

Percentage
of holding

99.997%
directly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
indirectly
99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

100.00%
indirectly
99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

100.00%
indirectly
99.99%
directly
99.95%
directly

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

RMB315

RMB2,835

–

–

–

–

–

USD452

RMB35

RMB571

RMB35

RMB571

RMB12

–

–

–

–

–

RMB801

RMB285

RMB9

RMB1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

RMB4,012

RMB1,680

RMB484

RMB533

RMB533

RMB1,063

RMB3,660

RMB295

RMB9

RMB1

89.997%
directly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
indirectly
100.00%
indirectly
99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

100.00%
indirectly
99.98%
directly

99.98%
directly

100.00%
indirectly
99.99%
directly
99.95%
directly

99.90%
directly

99.99%
directly

(i)  CL Pension Industry and China Life Qihang Fund I were newly included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 

December 2020.

212

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(g)  Transactions with significant related parties

The following table summarises significant transactions carried out by the Group with its significant related parties:

Transactions with CLIC and its subsidiaries
Policy management fee received from CLIC
Asset management fee received from CLIC
Distribution of dividends from the Company to CLIC
Distribution of profits from AMC to CLIC
Asset management fee received from CL Overseas
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
Rental and a service fee received from CLP&C
Dividend from CLP&C (Note 9)
Payment of rental, project fee and other expenses to CLRE
Property leasing expenses charged by CLI
Retained asset management fee received from CLI
Payment of asset management fee to CLI
Property leasing income received from CLI
Payment of real estate purchase to CLI
Payment of a operation management service fee to CLHI

Transactions between CGB and the Group
Interest on deposits received from CGB
Commission expenses charged by CGB
Dividend from CGB (Note 9)

Transactions between Sino-Ocean and the Group

Dividend from Sino-Ocean (Note 9)
Interest of corporate bonds received from Sino-Ocean
Management fee charged by Sino-Ocean
Transaction between EAP and the Group

Contribution to EAP

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

(i) (viii)
(ii.a)

(ii.b)
(ii.c)

(iii) (viii)

(iv)

(ii.d) (viii)

(vii)

(v)

564
125
14,106
147
73
41
52
14
2,211
54
271
43
71
3
651
63
135
106

2,938
189
550

178
26
30

575
89
3,092
122
86
14
48
16
2,297
51
–
43
78
13
653
39
5
–

2,584
158
284

369
27
2

1,140

1,003

Transaction between other associates and joint ventures and the Group

Distribution of profits from other associates and joint ventures 

to the Group (Note 9)

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

Rental received from Pension Company
Agency fee received from Pension Company for entrusted 

(ii.e) (viii)

sales of annuity funds and other businesses

(vi)

Marketing fee income for promotion of annuity business from Pension 

Company

4,254

2,089
220

68

57

14

2,574

1,353
183

54

54

8

213

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(g)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

The  following  table  summarises  significant  transactions  carried  out  by  the  Group  with  its  significant  related  parties: 
(continued)

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

Transaction between AMC HK and the Company
Payment of an asset management fee to AMC HK

(ii.f)

Transaction between Suzhou Pension Company and the Company

Capital contribution to Suzhou Pension Company

Transaction between Rui Chong Company and the Company

Rental fee charged by Rui Chong Company

Transaction between CL Hotel Investor, L.P. and the Company

Capital contribution to CL Hotel Investor, L.P.

Transaction between CL Health and the Company

Capital withdrawal from CL Health

Transaction between Guo Yang Guo Sheng and the Company

Capital withdrawal from Guo Yang Guo Sheng

Transaction between Yuan Shu Yuan Jiu and the Company

Capital withdrawal from Yuan Shu Yuan Jiu

Transaction between Yuan Shu Yuan Pin and the Company

Capital withdrawal from Yuan Shu Yuan Pin

Transaction between Shanghai Wansheng and the Company

Capital contribution to Shanghai Wansheng

Transaction between CG Investments and the Company

Capital contribution to CG Investments

Transaction between CL Guang De and the Company

Capital contribution to CL Guang De

Transaction between other associates and joint ventures 

and the Company
Distribution of profits from other associates and joint ventures 

to the Company

Transactions between the consolidated structured entities/ 

other subsidiaries and the Company
Distribution of profits from the consolidated structured entities 

to the Company

Distribution of profits from the other subsidiaries to the Company

18

205

45

95

–

–

35

35

12

801

285

18

200

47

–

200

100

–

–

–

–

10

3,864

2,210

14,429
301

10,965
206

214

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(g)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Notes:

(i) 

(ii.a) 

On 26 December 2017, the Company and CLIC renewed a renewable insurance agency agreement, effective from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 
2020. The Company performs its duties of insurance agents in accordance with the agreement, but does not acquire any rights and profits or assume 
any obligations, losses and risks as an insurer of the non-transferable policies. The policy management fee was payable semi-annually, and is equal to 
the sum of (1) the number of policies in force as at the last day of the period, multiplied by RMB8.0 per policy and (2) 2.5% of the actual premiums and 
deposits received 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. On 31 December 2020, the Company and the CLIC renewed the insurance agency agreement. This agreement 
is effective from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.

In December 2018, CLIC renewed an asset management agreement with AMC, entrusting AMC to manage and make investments for its insurance 
funds. The agreement is effective from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. In accordance with the agreement, 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 on a monthly basis and payable on a 
seasonal basis, by multiplying the average book value of the assets under management (after deducting the funds and interests of positive repurchase 
transactions  and  deducting  the  principal  and  interests  of  debt  and  equity  investment  schemes,  project  asset-backed  schemes  and  customised 
non-standard products) at the beginning and the end of any given month by the rate of 0.05%, divided by 12. According to specific projects, debt 
investment  schemes,  equity  investment  plans,  project  asset-backed  plans,  and  customised  non-standard  products  are  based  on  the  contractual 
agreed rate, without paying for an extra management fee. At the end of each year, CLIC assessed the investment performance of the assets managed 
by AMC, compared the actual results against benchmark returns and made adjustment to the basic service fee. In July 2020, CLIC revised the asset 
management agreement with AMC, effective from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2022. The annual rate of the basic service fee has been changed from 
0.05% to 0.08%, and the other terms mentioned above remain unchanged.

(ii.b) 

In  2018,  CL  Overseas  renewed  an  investment  management  agreement  with  AMC  HK,  effective  from  1  January  2018  to  31  December  2022.  In 
accordance  with  the  agreement,  CL  Overseas  entrusted  AMC  HK  to  manage  and  make  investments  for  its  insurance  funds  and  paid  AMC  HK  a 
basic  investment  management  fee  and  an  investment  performance  fee.  The  basic  investment  management  fee  was  accrued  by  multiplying  the 
weighted average total funds by the basic fee rate. The investment performance fee was calculated based on the difference between the total actual 
annual yields and predetermined net realised 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)  On  15  May  2018,  CLP&C  renewed  an  agreement  for  the  management  of  insurance  funds  with  AMC,  entrusting  AMC  to  manage  and  make 
investments  for  its  insurance  funds,  effective  from  1  January  2018  to  31  December  2019.  The  agreement  was  subject  to  an  automatic  one-year 
renewal  if  no  objections  were  raised  by  both  parties  upon  expiry.  From  1  January  2020,  the  agreement  automatically  renewed  for  one  year.  In 
accordance with the agreement, CLP&C paid AMC a fixed service fee and a variable service fee. The fixed service fee was calculated on a monthly 
basis and payable on an annual basis, by multiplying the average net asset value of assets of each category 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 payable on an 
annual basis, and linked to investment performance. On 1 July 2020, CLP&C formulated asset management investment guidelines. The guidelines 
were effective from 1 July 2020 and modified the fixed service fee rate with AMC from the annual investment management fee rate for assets of each 
category under management to 0.08%, while the other terms above remained unchanged.

(ii.d)  On  31  December  2018,  the  Company  and  CLI  renewed  a  management  agreement  of  alternative  investment  of  insurance  funds,  effective  from 
1  January  2019  to  31  December  2020.  In  accordance  with  the  agreement,  the  Company  entrusted  CLI  to  engage  in  investment,  operation  and 
management of equities, real estate and related financial products, and securitised financial products under the instructions of the annual guidelines. 
The  Company  paid  CLI  an  asset  management  fee  and  a  performance  related  bonus  based  on  the  agreement.  For  fixed-income  projects,  the 
management fee rate was between 0.05% and 0.6% according to different ranges of returns; for non-fixed-income projects, the management fee rate 
for invested projects was 0.3%, the management fee rates for newly signed projects were between 0.05% and 0.3% according to CLI’s involvement 
in project management and the performance-related bonus is based on the internal return rate upon expiry of the project. In addition, the Company 
adjusts the investment management fees for fixed-income projects and non-fixed-income projects based on the annual evaluation results on CLI’s 
performance. The adjustment (variable management fee) ranges from negative 10% to positive 15% of the investment management fee in the current 
period.

(ii.e)  On 28 December 2018, the Company and AMC renewed the agreement for the management of insurance funds, effective from 1 January 2019 to 31 
December 2021. In accordance with the agreement, the Company entrusted AMC to manage and make investments for its insurance funds and paid 
AMC a fixed investment management service fee and a variable investment management service fee. The fixed annual service fee was calculated 
and payable on a seasonal basis, by multiplying the average net value of the assets under management by the rate of 0.05%; the variable investment 
management service fee was payable annually, based on the results of performance evaluation, at 20% of the fixed service fee per annum. On 1 July 
2020, the Company and AMC revised the agreement for the management of insurance funds, effective from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2022. The 
calculation method of the fixed annual service fee has been changed from five ten thousandths of the net value of the total investment assets to daily 
accrued fixed service fee by multiplying the net value of the total investment assets on the day by the variety-based annual investment management 
fee rate divided by 360. The other terms above remain unchanged. Asset management fees charged to the Company by AMC are eliminated in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

215

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(g)  Transactions with significant related parties (continued)

Notes (continued):

(ii.f)  On  31  December  2018,  the  Company  and  AMC  HK  renewed  the  management  agreement  of  insurance  funds  investment,  which  is  effective from 
1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. In accordance with the agreement, the Company entrusted AMC HK to manage and make investments for 
its insurance funds and paid AMC HK an asset management fee on a seasonal basis and the maximum investment management fee paid annually 
is RMB30 million. The management fee rate for financial products, such as investment plans, project asset-backed plans, customised products and 
insurance  asset  management  products,  set  up  by  AMC  HK  in  the  industry  permitted  by  regulatory  policies,  is  set  according  to  contractual  terms. 
The management fee rate for the directive investment operation of term deposits, common stocks, funds, financial products and other investment 
products, universal account B-2 and entrusted assets account alike was 0.02%; the management fee rate for unlisted equity investment was 0.3%; 
the management fee rate for customised investment portfolio was agreed upon the management fee of market-oriented entrusted investment. Asset 
management fees charged to the Company by AMC HK are eliminated in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

(iii)  On 31 January 2018, the Company and CLP&C signed a new insurance agency framework agreement, whereby CLP&C entrusted the Company to act 
as an agent to sell designated insurance products in certain authorised jurisdictions. The agency fee was determined based on cost (tax included) plus 
a margin. The agreement is effective for three years, from 8 March 2018 to 7 March 2021.

(iv)  On 29 December 2017, the Company renewed a property leasing agreement with CLI, effective from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020, pursuant 
to  which  CLI  leased  to  the  Company  certain  buildings  of  its  own.  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. On 31 December 
2020, the Company renewed a property leasing agreement with CLI, effective from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.

(v) 

On  19  October  2018,  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 sale 
of insurance products, collecting premiums and paying benefits. The Company paid the agency commission by multiplying the net amount of total 
premiums  received  from  the  sale  of  each  category  individual  insurance  products  after  deducting  the  surrender  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. On 22 August 2020, the Company and CGB renewed an insurance agency agreement 
to distribute insurance products, effective from the signing date to 22 August 2022.

On 28 December 2018, the Company and CGB signed another insurance agency agreement to distribute corporate group insurance products. The 
corporate group insurance products suitable for distribution through bancassurance channels are included in the agreement. The Company paid the 
agency commission by multiplying the net amount of total premiums received from the sale of each category group insurance product after deducting 
the surrender premiums, by the responding fixed commission rate. The commission rates for various insurance products sold by CGB are agreed by 
reference to comparable market prices of independent third-parties. The commissions are paid on a monthly basis. The agreement is effective for two 
years from 1 January 2019, with an automatic one-year renewal if no objections were raised by either party upon expiry.

(vi)  On  1  January  2019,  the  Company  and  Pension  Company  renewed  an  entrusted  agency  agreement  for  pension  business  acted  by  life  business. 
The agreement is effective from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. The business means that Pension Company entrusted the Company to sell 
enterprise annuity funds, pension security business, occupational pension business and the third-party asset management business. The commissions 
agreed upon in the agreement include the daily business commissions and the annual promotional plans commissions. According to the agreement, 
the commissions for the entrusting service of enterprise annuity fund management, which is the core business of Pension Company, are calculated 
at  30%  to  80%  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 charged for the first year, regardless of the 
duration of the agreement. The commissions for investment management services, 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), decreasing annually. The commissions of the group 
pension plan are, in accordance with the duration of the contracts, calculated at 50% to 3% of the annual investment management fee, decreasing 
annually; the commissions of the personal pension plan are calculated at 30% to 50% of the annual investment management fee according to the 
various  rates  of  the  daily  management  fee  applied  to  the  various  individual  pension  management  products  in  all  of  the  management  years;  the 
commissions  of  occupation  annuity  and  third-party  asset  management  business  are  in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  annual  promotional  plans, 
which should be determined by both parties on a separate occasion. The commissions charged to Pension Company by the Company are eliminated 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income of the Group.

(vii)  On 25 November 2020, the Company and CLHI signed a new aged-care projects management service agreement, effective from 1 January 2020 to 
31  December  2021.  In  accordance  with  the  agreement,  the  Company  entrusted  CLHI  to  operate  and  manage  existed  aged-care  projects  and  paid 
CLHI a management service fee. The management service fee was calculated and payable on a seasonal basis, by multiplying the total amount of the 
investments under management (based on the daily weighted average investment amount) by the annual rate of 2.7%.

(viii)  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.

216

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(h)  Amounts due from/to significant related parties

The following table summarises the balances due from and to significant related parties. The balances of the Group are 
all unsecured. The balances of the Group are non-interest-bearing and have no fixed repayment dates except for deposits 
with CGB, wealth management products and other securities of CGB, and corporate bonds issued by Sino-Ocean.

The resulting balances due from and to significant related parties of the Group

Amount due from 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 due to CLHI
Amount deposited with CGB
Wealth management products and other financial instruments of CGB
Amount due from CGB
Amount due to CGB
Corporate bonds of Sino-Ocean
Amount due from Sino-Ocean
Amount due from CL Ecommerce
Amount due to CL Ecommerce

The resulting balances due from and to subsidiaries of the Company

Amount due to AMC
Amount due to AMC HK
Amount due from Pension Company
Amount due to Pension Company
Amount due from Rui Chong Company

(i)  Key management personnel compensation

Salaries and other benefits

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

348
43
245
(22)
32
(447)
2
(38)
71,419
603
1,240
(51)
361
7
12
(17)

(1,293)
(8)
39
(43)
114

334
56
334
(31)
18
(401)
2
–
59,420
844
894
(75)
922
8
13
(68)

(381)
(9)
30
(35)
118

For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

15

29

The total compensation package for the Company’s key management personnel for the year ended 31 December 2020 
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 2019 has been approved by the relevant 
authorities. The total compensation of 2019 was RMB29 million, including a deferred payment about RMB6 million.

217

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35  SIGNIFICANT RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(j)  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  31  December  2020,  most  of  the  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  2020,  a  large  portion  of  group  insurance  business  of  the  Group  was  with  state-owned  enterprises;  the 
majority of bancassurance commission charges were paid to state-owned banks and postal offices; and the majority of the 
reinsurance agreements of the Group were entered into with a state-owned reinsurance company.

36  SHARE CAPITAL

Registered, authorised, issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of RMB1 each

28,264,705,000

28,265

28,264,705,000

28,265

As at 31 December 2020

As at 31 December 2019

No. of shares

RMB million

No. of shares

RMB million 

As at 31 December 2020, 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 2020

No. of shares

RMB million

19,323,530,000
8,941,175,000
1,500,000,000
7,441,175,000

28,264,705,000

19,324
8,941
1,500
7,441

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 Limited and the New York Stock Exchange.

218

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37  OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

(a)  Basic information

Core Tier 2 Capital Securities

Total

As at
31 December
2019

Increase

Decrease

As at
31 December
2020

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

7,791

7,791

–

–

(7,791)

(7,791)

–

–

The  Company  issued  Core  Tier  2  Capital  Securities  at  par  with  the  nominal  value  of  USD1,280  million  on  3  July  2015, 
and listed such securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on  6  July 2015. The securities were  issued in 
the  specified  denomination  of  USD200,000  and  integral  multiples  of  USD1,000  in  excess  thereof.  After  a  deduction 
of  the  issue  expense,  the  total  amount  of  the  proceeds  raised  from  this  issuance  was  USD1,274  million  or  RMB7,791 
million. The issued capital securities have a term of 60 years, extendable upon expiry. Distributions shall be payable on 
the securities semi-annually and the Company has the option to redeem the securities at the end of the fifth year after 
issuance  and  on  any  distribution  payment  date  thereafter.  The  initial  distribution  rate  for  the  first  five  interest-bearing 
years  is  4.00%  and  if  the  Company  does  not  exercise  this  option,  the  rate  of  distribution  will  be  reset  based  on  the 
comparable US treasury yield plus a margin of 2.294% at the end of the fifth year and every five years thereafter. The 
Company has redeemed the securities at the end of the fifth year.

(b)  Equity attributable to equity holders

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

Equity attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company
Equity attributable to other equity instruments holders of the Company

Equity attributable to non-controlling interests

Equity attributable to ordinary equity holders of non-controlling interests

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

450,051
450,051
–
6,880
6,880

403,764
395,973
7,791
5,578
5,578

Refer to Note 33 for the information of distribution to other equity instruments holders of the Company for the year ended 
31 December 2020.

219

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38  RESERVES

As at 1 January 2019
Other comprehensive income 

for the year

Appropriation to reserves
Other comprehensive income 

to retained earnings

Others

As at 31 December 2019

As at 1 January 2020
Other comprehensive income 

for the year

Appropriation to reserves
Others

Other
comprehensive
income
reclassifiable
to profit or
loss under
the equity
method

Unrealised
gains/
(losses)
from
available-
for-sale
securities

Share
premium

Other
reserves

Other
comprehensive
income non-
reclassifiable
to profit or
loss under
the equity
method

Exchange
differences
on translating
foreign
operations

Total

Statutory
reserve
fund

Discretionary
reserve fund

General
reserve

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

53,860

1,084

(5,412)

(a)

(b)

(c)

34,659

33,370

31,933

(254)

–

149,309

–
–

–
–

53,860

53,860

–
–
–

–
–

–
64

1,148

1,148

–
–
(1,055)

93

34,006
–

–
–

28,594

28,594

25,674
–
–

54,268

69

687
–

–
–

756

756

646
–
–

–
5,857

–
–

40,516

40,516

–
5,009
–

–
1,275

–
–

34,645

34,645

–
5,857
–

–
5,955

–
–

37,888

37,888

–
5,159
–

230
–

–
–

(24)

(24)

(965)
–
–

(989)

(76)
–

(86)
–

(162)

(162)

344
–
–

182

34,847
13,087

(86)
64

197,221

197,221

25,699
16,025
(1,055)

237,890

As at 31 December 2020

53,860

1,402

45,525

40,502

43,047

(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 RMB5,009 million for the year ended 31 December 2020 (2019: RMB5,857 million).

(b)  Approved at the Annual General Meeting in June 2020, the Company appropriated RMB5,857 million to the discretionary reserve fund for the year ended 

31 December 2019 based on net profit under CAS (2019: RMB1,275 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 2020, the Company appropriated 10% of net profit under CAS which amounted to RMB5,009 million to the general reserve 
for future uncertain catastrophes, which cannot be used for dividend distribution or conversion to share capital increment (2019: RMB5,857 million). 
In addition, pursuant to the CAS, the Group appropriated RMB150 million to the general reserve of its subsidiaries attributable to the Company in the 
consolidated financial statements (2019: RMB98 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 the subsequent years.

220

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

Interest-
bearing
loans and
borrowings

Bonds
payable

Lease
liabilities

Other liability-
payable to
the third-party
holders of
consolidated
structured
entities

Other
liability-
interest
payable
related to
financing
activities

Securities
sold under
agreements to
repurchase

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

20,150

–

2,185

192,141

9,407

252

224,135

(242)
137

34,988
–

(1,348)
–

(73,552)
–

11,993
–

(3,072)
–

(31,233)
137

At 1 January 2019
Changes from financing 

cash flows

Foreign exchange movement
Changes arising from losing 
control of consolidated 
structured entities

New leases
Interest expense
Others

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2020
Changes from financing 

cash flows

Foreign exchange movement
Changes arising from losing 
control of consolidated 
structured entities

New leases
Interest expense
Others

–
–
–
–

20,045

20,045

317
(806)

–
–
–
–

–
–
2
–

34,990

34,990

–
–

–
–
2
–

At 31 December 2020

19,556

34,992

–
2,239
106
(91)

3,091

3,091

(1,618)
–

–
1,156
113
(78)

2,664

(501)
–
–
–

118,088

118,088

4,912
–

(751)
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

21,400

21,400

21,254
–

–
–
–
–

122,249

42,654

–
–
4,147
–

1,327

1,327

(3,639)
–

–
–
3,632
–

1,320

(501)
2,239
4,255
(91)

198,941

198,941

21,226
(806)

(751)
1,156
3,747
(78)

223,435

221

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40  PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES

The following is a summary of the significant contingent liabilities:

Pending lawsuits

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

403

523

The Group involves in certain lawsuits arising from the ordinary course of business. In order to accurately disclose the 
contingent liabilities for pending lawsuits, the Group analysed all pending lawsuits case by case at the end of each interim 
and  annual  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 2020 and 2019, the 
Group had other contingent liabilities but disclosure of such was not practical because the amounts of liabilities could not 
be reliably estimated and were not material in aggregate.

41  COMMITMENTS

(a)  Capital commitments

The Group had the following capital commitments relating to property development projects and investments:

Contracted, but not provided for

Investments
Property, plant and equipment

Total

(b)  Operating lease commitments

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

78,954
3,063

82,017

64,866
3,941

68,807

As lessor, the future minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

768
1,526
193

2,487

578
1,133
231

1,942

Not later than one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Total

222

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS

Statement of financial position

As at 31 December 2020

ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
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
Derivative financial assets
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Accrued investment income
Premiums receivable
Reinsurance assets
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Insurance contracts
Investment contracts
Policyholder dividends payable
Lease liabilities
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
Other equity instruments
Reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

Notes

RMB million

RMB million

42(a)
42(b)
42(c)
42(d)
42(e)
42(f)
42(g)
42(h)
42(i)
42(j)
42(k)
10.7
42(l)
42(m)
12
13
42(n)

15
16

18
42(p)

42(q)
42(o)
21

36
42(r)
42(s)

50,159
2,823
6,162
88,951
157,401
1,188,509
638,849
521,886
5,653
1,187,153
127,404
–
5,888
44,582
20,730
6,095
24,479
50,692

4,127,416

2,973,225
288,212
122,510
2,416
34,992
116,584
55,031
53,021
59,219
15,909
384

3,721,503

28,265
–
234,071
143,577

405,913

49,230
3,272
3,914
63,228
154,501
927,892
594,913
528,754
5,653
1,037,629
117,473
428
1,963
41,005
17,281
5,161
29,081
48,802

3,630,180

2,552,736
267,804
112,593
2,842
34,990
113,189
51,019
60,898
56,701
10,890
602

3,264,264

28,265
7,791
194,168
135,692

365,916

4,127,416

3,630,180

223

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(a)  Property, plant and equipment

Office
equipment
furniture and
fixtures

Buildings

Motor
vehicles

Assets
under
construction

Leasehold
improvements

RMB million

Total

68,361
(121)
6,317
(2,098)
(1,761)

70,698

(19,106)
(2,762)
1,354

(20,514)

(25)
–
–

(25)

13,658
(6,451)
5,459
(2,098)
–

10,568

–
–
–

–

(1)
–
–

(1)

2,571
318
–
–
(143)

2,746

(1,543)
(372)
137

(1,778)

–
–
–

–

13,657

10,567

1,028

968

49,230

50,159

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Transfers upon completion
Additions
Transfers into investment properties
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Impairment
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

42,699
6,010
147
–
(575)

48,281

(11,411)
(1,511)
308

(12,614)

(24)
–
–

(24)

8,092
2
580
–
(901)

7,773

(5,329)
(690)
771

(5,248)

–
–
–

–

31,264

35,643

2,763

2,525

1,341
–
131
–
(142)

1,330

(823)
(189)
138

(874)

–
–
–

–

518

456

224

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(a)  Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Office
equipment
furniture and
fixtures

Buildings

Motor
vehicles

Assets
under
construction

Leasehold
improvements

RMB million

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Transfers upon completion
Additions
Transfers into investment properties
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Impairment
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

35,837
6,864
75
–
(77)

42,699

(10,123)
(1,336)
48

(11,411)

(24)
–
–

(24)

7,458
234
1,002
–
(602)

8,092

(5,308)
(598)
577

(5,329)

–
–
–

–

25,690

31,264

2,150

2,763

1,319
–
193
–
(171)

1,341

(797)
(188)
162

(823)

–
–
–

–

522

518

Total

60,791
(172)
9,258
(520)
(996)

68,361

(17,574)
(2,398)
866

(19,106)

(25)
–
–

(25)

14,031
(7,802)
7,988
(520)
(39)

13,658

–
–
–

–

(1)
–
–

(1)

2,146
532
–
–
(107)

2,571

(1,346)
(276)
79

(1,543)

–
–
–

–

14,030

13,657

800

1,028

43,192

49,230

225

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(b)  Right-of-use assets

Buildings

Others

Total

RMB million

4,447
1,103
(490)

5,060

(1,176)
(1,453)
391

(2,238)

–
–
–

–

3,271

2,822

1
–
–

1

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

1

1

4,448
1,103
(490)

5,061

(1,176)
(1,453)
391

(2,238)

–
–
–

–

3,272

2,823

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Impairment
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

226

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42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(b)  Right-of-use assets (continued)

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Impairment
As at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Buildings

Others

Total

RMB million

2,578
1,999
(130)

4,447

–
(1,205)
29

(1,176)

–
–
–

–

2,578

3,271

1
–
–

1

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

1

1

2,579
1,999
(130)

4,448

–
(1,205)
29

(1,176)

–
–
–

–

2,579

3,272

The Group had no significant profit or loss from subleasing right-of-use assets or sale and leaseback transactions for the 
year ended 31 December 2020 (2019: same).

227

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(c)  Investment properties

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
Additions

As at 31 December 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Additions

As at 31 December 2020

Net book value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

Fair value
As at 1 January 2020

As at 31 December 2020

Cost
As at 1 January 2019
Additions
Deductions

As at 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 January 2019
Additions

As at 31 December 2019

Net book value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Fair value
As at 1 January 2019

As at 31 December 2019

Buildings

RMB million

4,387
2,409

6,796

(473)
(161)

(634)

3,914

6,162

5,462

7,878

Buildings

RMB million

3,883
520
(16)

4,387

(358)
(115)

(473)

3,525

3,914

4,886

5,462

The fair value of investment properties of the Company as at 31 December 2020 amounted to RMB7,878 million (as at 31 
December 2019: RMB5,462 million), which was 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.

228

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(d)  Investments in subsidiaries

Unlisted investments at cost

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

88,951

63,228

(i)  The table below presents the basic information of the Company’s subsidiaries as at 31 December 2020:

Name

AMC (i)
Pension Company (i)

Place of incorporation
and operation

Percentage of
equity interest held

PRC
PRC

AMC HK
Suzhou Pension Company (i)

Hong Kong, PRC
PRC

CL AMP (i)
CL Wealth (i)
Golden Phoenix Tree Limited
King Phoenix Tree Limited
Rui Chong Company (i)
New Aldgate Limited
Glorious Fortune Forever Limited
CL Hotel Investor, L.P.
Golden Bamboo Limited
Sunny Bamboo Limited
Fortune Bamboo Limited
China Century Core Fund Limited
CL Health (i)
Franklin Shenzhen Company (i)
Guo Yang Guo Sheng (ii)
New Capital Wisdom Limited
New Fortune Wisdom Limited
Wisdom Forever Limited Partnership
Yuan Shu Yuan Jiu (ii)
Yuan Shu Yuan Pin (ii)
Hope Building (i)
Shanghai Wansheng (ii)
Bai Ning (ii)
Yuanxiang Tianfu (ii)
Yuanxiang Tianyi (ii)
Shengyi Jingsheng (i)
CG Investments
CL Guang De (ii)
CL Pension Industry (ii)
China Life Qihang Fund I (ii)

PRC
PRC
Hong Kong, PRC
The British Jersey Island
PRC
Hong Kong, PRC
Hong Kong, PRC
USA
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands
The British Cayman Islands
PRC
PRC
PRC
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands
The British Cayman Islands
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
USA
PRC
PRC
PRC

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
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% directly
100.00% indirectly
100.00% directly
100.00% indirectly
89.997% directly
100.00% indirectly
100.00% indirectly
100.00% indirectly
99.98% directly
99.98% directly
100.00% indirectly
99.98% directly
99.98% directly
99.98% directly
99.98% directly
100.00% indirectly
99.99% directly
99.95% directly
99.90% directly
99.99% directly

Registered capital

Principal activities

RMB4,000 million
RMB3,400 million

Asset management
Pension and annuity

Not applicable
RMB1,991 million

RMB1,288 million
RMB200 million
Not applicable
Not applicable
RMB6,800 million
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
RMB1,530 million
USD2 million
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
RMB484 million
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
RMB1,131 million
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable

Asset management
Investment in
retirement properties
Fund management
Financial service
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Health management
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment

(i)  The above subsidiaries are registered as limited companies in accordance of the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China.

(ii)  The above subsidiaries are registered as limited liability partnerships in accordance of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Partnerships.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are not significant to the Company.

229

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(d)  Investments in subsidiaries (continued)

(ii)  The  table  below  presents  the  basic  information  of  the  Company’s  major  consolidated  structured  entities  as  at  31 
December 2020:

Name

CL Asset-Yuanliu No.1 Insurance Asset  

Management Product

CL Investment-China Eastern Airlines Group 

Equity Investment Scheme

Percentage
of shares held

37.72% directly
and indirectly
100.00% directly

Trust/
investments
received

Principal
activities

RMB21,103 million

Investment management

RMB11,000 million

Investment management

Kun Lun Trust • Tianjin Urban Communications 

99.99% directly

RMB10,001 million

Investment management

Construction No. 1 Collective Fund Trust Scheme

Jiao Yin Guo Xin • Shaanxi Coal and Chemical 

Industry Group Co., Ltd. Debt-to-Equity Swap 
Collective Fund Trust Scheme

75.00% directly
and indirectly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Shan Guo Tou • Jing Tou Corporate Trust Loan 

100.00% directly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Collective Funds Trust Scheme

China Life-China Hua Neng Debt-to-Equity Swap 

100.00% directly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Investment Scheme

Jiao Yin Guo Xin • China Aluminium Co., Ltd. 

99.99% directly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Supply-side Reform Collective Fund Trust Scheme

Jian Xin Trust • CL Guo Xin Collective Fund 

99.99% directly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Trust Scheme

Guang Da • Hui Ying No. 8 Collective Fund 

89.00% directly

RMB10,000 million

Investment management

Trust Scheme

Chongqing Trust Fund • Guo Rong No.4 Collective 

85.00% directly

RMB9,998 million

Investment management

Fund Trust Scheme

Jiao Yin Guo Xin • Jing Tou Corporate Collective 

91.93% directly

RMB9,988 million

Investment management

Funds Trust Scheme

Shang Xin-Ningbo Wu Lu Si Qiao PPP Collective 

88.02% directly

RMB9,343 million

Investment management

Fund Trust Scheme

China Life-Yanzhou Coal Mining Debt Investment 

100.00% directly

RMB9,000 million

Investment management

Scheme

Zhong Hang Trust Fund • Tian Qi [2020] No.372 

99.99% directly

RMB9,000 million

Investment management

China Eastern Airlines Equity Instrument 
Investment Collective Fund Trust Scheme

Kun Lun Trust-China Metallurgical No.1 Collective 

86.25% directly

RMB8,000 million

Investment management

Fund Trust Scheme

Jiang Su Trust-Xin Bao Sheng No.144 (Jing Tou) 

84.00% directly

RMB8,000 million

Investment management

Collective Fund Trust Scheme

China Life-Huaneng International Infrastructure 

88.61% directly

RMB7,900 million

Investment management

Debt Investment Scheme

Zhong Xin Jing Cheng • Tianjin Port Group Loans 

100.00% directly

RMB6,000 million

Investment management

Collective Fund Trust Scheme

CL Investment-COSCO Marine Debt Investment 

71.67% directly

RMB6,000 million

Investment management

Scheme

Guang Da • Hui Ying No. 11 Collective Fund 

72.41% directly

RMB5,800 million

Investment management

Trust Scheme

China Life-Tianjin Metro Infrastructure Debt 

93.91% directly

RMB5,750 million

Investment management

Investment Scheme

230

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(d)  Investments in subsidiaries (continued)

(ii)  The  table  below  presents  the  basic  information  of  the  Company’s  major  consolidated  structured  entities  as  at  31 
December 2020 (continued):

Name

Bridge Heng Yi 604 Collective Fund Trust Scheme

China Life-Hua Neng Development of Infrastructure 

Debt Investment Scheme

Percentage
of shares held

80.97% directly
and indirectly
100% directly

Trust/
investments
received

Principal
activities

RMB5,330 million

Investment management

RMB5,000 million

Investment management

Kun Lun Trust • Jizhong Energy Group Loan 

99.98% directly

RMB5,000 million

Investment management

Collective Fund Trust Scheme

Jiao Yin Guo Xin • CLI-China Nonferrous Metal 

99.98% directly

RMB5,000 million

Investment management

Collective Fund Trust Scheme

(e)  Investments in associates and joint ventures

As at 1 January
Investments in associates and joint ventures

As at 31 December

(f)  Held-to-maturity securities

Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Subordinated bonds/debts

Total

Debt securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Unlisted

Total

2020

2019

RMB million

RMB million

154,501
2,900

157,401

137,257
17,244

154,501

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

264,983
617,515
201,343
104,668

1,188,509

215,457
973,052

1,188,509

215,715
401,799
197,676
112,702

927,892

208,909
718,983

927,892

Unlisted debt securities include those traded on the Chinese interbank market.

The estimated fair value of all held-to-maturity securities was RMB1,224,617 million as at 31 December 2020 (as at 31 
December 2019: RMB967,662 million).

231

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(f)  Held-to-maturity securities (continued)

As  at  31  December  2020,  no  accumulated  impairment  loss  for  the  investment  of  held-to-maturity  securities  has  been 
recognised by the Company (as at 31 December 2019: same).

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

25,267
146,287
205,928
811,027

1,188,509

24,227
128,078
241,155
534,432

927,892

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

200,730
440,562

641,292
(2,443)

638,849

174,872
422,759

597,631
(2,718)

594,913

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

231,084
279,286
103,666
27,256

641,292
(2,443)

638,849

213,096
221,464
124,531
38,540

597,631
(2,718)

594,913

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

(g)  Loans

Policy loans
Other loans

Total
Impairment

Net value

Maturing:

Within one year
After one year but within five years
After five years but within ten years
After ten years

Total
Impairment

Net value

232

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(h)  Term deposits

Maturing:

Within one year
After one year but within five years
After five years but within ten years

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

60,324
459,822
1,740

521,886

102,483
418,441
7,830

528,754

As at 31 December 2020, the Company’s term deposits of RMB750 million (as at 31 December 2019: RMB 1,491 million) 
were deposited in banks to back overseas borrowings and are restricted to use. Please refer to Note 10.3 for the details.

(i)  Statutory deposits – restricted

Contractual maturity schedule:

Within one year
After one year but within five years

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

–
5,653

5,653

–
5,653

5,653

Insurance companies in China are required to deposit an amount that equals to 20% of their registered capital with banks 
in compliance with regulations of the CBIRC. These funds may not be used for any purpose other than for paying off debts 
during liquidation proceedings.

233

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42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(j)  Available-for-sale securities

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
Wealth management products
Others (i)

Subtotal

Available-for-sale securities, at cost

Equity securities

Others (i)

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

49,148
168,912
134,513
81,795
130,734

565,102

96,308
301,106
53,778
13,013
137,287

601,492

23,647
171,108
147,109
53,922
101,569

497,355

101,787
236,241
58,314
32,640
90,733

519,715

20,559

20,559

1,187,153

1,037,629

(i)  Other available-for-sale securities mainly include unlisted equity investments, private equity funds and perpetual bonds.

Debt securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Unlisted

Subtotal

Equity securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed in Hong Kong, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

41,466
523,636

565,102

199,859
108,493
278
313,421

622,051

45,900
451,455

497,355

151,940
95,428
1,458
291,448

540,274

1,187,153

1,037,629

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 quotations, wealth management products and private equity funds.

234

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42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(j)  Available-for-sale securities (continued)

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

(k)  Securities at fair value through profit or loss

Debt securities

Government bonds
Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds
Others

Subtotal

Equity securities

Funds
Common stocks
Others

Subtotal

Total

Debt securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Equity securities

Listed in Mainland, PRC
Listed in Hong Kong, PRC
Listed overseas
Unlisted

Subtotal

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

36,802
124,578
266,057
137,665

565,102

25,578
146,914
224,393
100,470

497,355

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

1,469
2,715
68,569
1,485

74,238

9,771
43,133
262

53,166

32
4,633
64,838
942

70,445

9,699
37,309
20

47,028

127,404

117,473

26,132
217
47,889

74,238

39,540
64
4,213
9,349

53,166

31,523
136
38,786

70,445

31,058
581
6,418
8,971

47,028

127,404

117,473

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 quotations.

235

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(l)  Securities purchased under agreements to sell

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

5,888

5,888

1,963

1,963

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

12,298
26,093
6,191

44,582

43,602
980

44,582

12,039
24,723
4,243

41,005

40,025
980

41,005

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

7,509
5,349
3,522
2,257
1,554
714
3,574

24,479

16,907
7,572

24,479

7,265
5,430
3,377
5,615
2,619
661
4,114

29,081

21,741
7,340

29,081

Maturing:

Within 30 days

Total

(m)  Accrued investment income

Bank deposits
Debt securities
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

(n)  Other assets

Land use rights
Disbursements
Automated policy loans
Tax prepaid
Investments receivable and prepaid
Due from related parties
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

236

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(o)  Deferred tax

(i)  The movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year are as follows:

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Insurance

Investments

Others

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

As at 1 January 2019
(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

As at 31 December 2019

As at 1 January 2020
(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

As at 31 December 2020

(5,308)
1,985

4,174
(3,070)

–

(16,181)

4,880

1,557

1,557
1,787

–

(15,077)

(15,077)
1,710

–

(9,422)

990

4,334

–

(22,789)

2,515
115

–

–

2,630

2,630
(84)

–

–

2,546

1,381
(970)

(16,181)

4,880

(10,890)

(10,890)
3,413

(9,422)

990

(15,909)

(ii)  The analysis of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities during the year is as follows:

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

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

10,051
6,006

16,057

(27,921)
(4,045)

(31,966)

(15,909)

6,854
5,588

12,442

(19,835)
(3,497)

(23,332)

(10,890)

237

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(p)  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Interbank market
Stock exchange market

Total

Maturing:

Within 30 days
After 30 days within 90 days
After 90 days

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

95,901
20,683

116,584

116,436
140
8

116,584

61,539
51,650

113,189

113,029
–
160

113,189

As  at  31  December  2020,  bonds  with  a  carrying  value  of  RMB111,233  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB89,779 
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 2020, the carrying 
value  of  securities  deposited  in  the  collateral  pool  was  RMB250,407  million  (as  at  31  December  2019:  RMB253,520 
million). The collateral is restricted from trading during the period of the repurchase transaction.

(q)  Other liabilities

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

16,139
10,060
7,051
2,410
1,811
1,249
634
493
19,372

59,219

59,219
–

59,219

14,113
10,300
7,418
3,065
1,998
1,238
409
748
17,412

56,701

56,701
–

56,701

Interest payable to policyholders
Salary and welfare payable
Brokerage and commission payable
Payable to constructors
Agent deposits
Interest payable of debt instruments
Tax payable
Stock appreciation rights (Note 32)
Others

Total

Current
Non-current

Total

238

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(r)  Other equity instruments

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

Equity attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company
Equity attributable to other equity instruments holders of the Company

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

405,913
405,913
–

365,916
358,125
7,791

Refer to Note 33 for the information of distribution to other equity instruments holders for the year ended 31 December 
2020.

(s)  Reserves

As at 1 January 2019
Other comprehensive income  

for the year

Appropriation to reserves

As at 31 December 2019

As at 1 January 2020
Other comprehensive income  

for the year

Appropriation to reserves
Others

As at 31 December 2020

Share
premium

Other
reserves

Unrealised gains/
(losses) from 
available-for-sale
securities

Statutory
reserve fund

Discretionary
reserve fund

General
reserve

Total

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

RMB million

53,860

–
–

53,860

53,860

–
–
–

53,860

–

–
–

–

–

–
–
(1,269)

(1,269)

(6,010)

33,901
–

27,891

27,891

25,297
–
–

53,188

34,611

–
5,857

40,468

40,468

–
5,009
–

45,477

33,370

–
1,275

34,645

34,645

–
5,857
–

40,502

31,447

147,278

–
5,857

37,304

37,304

–
5,009
–

42,313

33,901
12,989

194,168

194,168

25,297
15,875
(1,269)

234,071

(t)  Provisions and contingencies

The following is a summary of the significant contingent liabilities:

Pending lawsuits

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

403

523

239

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND NOTES TO KEY ITEMS (continued)

(u)  Commitments

(i)  Capital commitments

Capital commitments of the Company relating to property development projects and investments:

Contracted, but not provided for

Investments
Property, plant and equipment

Total

(ii)  Operating lease commitments

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

94,586
3,051

97,637

65,339
3,505

68,844

As lessor, the future minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Total

As at
31 December
2020

As at
31 December
2019

RMB million

RMB million

553
953
162

1,668

400
739
188

1,327

240

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT’S REMUNERATION

The total compensation package for the directors, supervisors, chief executive and senior management for the year ended 
31  December  2020  in  accordance  with  the  related  measures  for  compensation  management  of  the  Company  has  not 
yet been finalised. The amount of the compensation not provided for is not expected to have a significant impact on the 
Group’s 2020 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 2020 are as follows:

Name

Wang Bin (iii)
Su Hengxuan (iii)
Li Mingguang
Zhao Peng (i)
Yuan Changqing (iii)
Liu Huimin (iii)
Yin Zhaojun (iii)
Wang Junhui (iii)
Chang Tso Tung Stephen (ii)
Robinson Drake Pike
Tang Xin
Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Remuneration 
paid

Benefits 
in kind

Pension scheme 
contributions

RMB thousand

–
–
1,253.0
–
–
–
–
–
320.0
320.0
320.0
300.0

–
–
139.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
86.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total

–
–
1,479.0
–
–
–
–
–
320.0
320.0
320.0
300.0

(i)  Zhao  Peng  was  appointed  as  executive  director  on  20  February  2020  and  resigned  as  executive  director  on  23  April  2020.  He  did  not  receive 

remuneration from the Company.

(ii)  Chang  Tso  Tung  Stephen  resigned  as  independent  non-executive  director  on  19  October  2020.  He  will  continue  to  perform  as  independent  non-

executive director until the qualification of new independent non-executive director is approved by CBIRC.

(iii)  Wang Bin, Su Hengxuan and other non-executive directors did not receive remuneration from the Company.

(iv)  The above remuneration was calculated based on the relevant employment period during the reporting period.

241

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43  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 2019 are as follows:

Name

Wang Bin
Su Hengxuan
Xu Hengping
Xu Haifeng
Li Mingguang
Yuan Changqing
Liu Huimin
Yin Zhaojun
Wang Junhui
Chang Tso Tung Stephen
Robinson Drake Pike
Tang Xin
Leung Oi-Sie Elsie

Performance 
related 
bonuses

Basic 
salaries

Deferred 
payment 
included in 
salary income

Subtotal 
of salary 
income

Pension 
scheme 
contributions

Benefits 
in kind

RMB thousand

–
–
8.5
530.6
596.7
–
–
–
–
250.0
250.0
250.0
250.0

–
–
–
522.1
596.7
–
–
–
–
70.0
70.0
70.0
50.0

–
–
8.5
1,052.7
1,193.4
–
–
–
–
320.0
320.0
320.0
300.0

–
–
–
313.3
358.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
17.9
59.8
60.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
41.1
36.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Deferred 
payment 
included 
in total

Actual paid 
included 
in total

–
–
–
313.3
358.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
26.4
840.3
931.6
–
–
–
–
320.0
320.0
320.0
300.0

Total

–
–
26.4
1,153.6
1,289.6
–
–
–
–
320.0
320.0
320.0
300.0

The compensation amounts disclosed above for these directors and the chief executive for the year ended 31 December 
2019 were restated based on the finalised amounts determined during 2020.

The directors and chief executive received the compensation amounts disclosed above during their term of office in 2020 
and 2019.

In addition to the directors’ emoluments disclosed above, certain directors of the Company received emoluments from 
CLIC, the amounts of which were not apportioned between their services to the Company and their services to CLIC.

242

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43  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 2020 are as 
follows:

Name

Jia Yuzeng
Han Bing
Cao Qingyang
Wang Xiaoqing
Luo Zhaohui (i)
Song Ping (ii)

Remuneration 
paid

Benefits 
in kind

Pension scheme 
contributions

RMB thousand

1,432.0
505.5
593.6
518.4
–
42.1

139.4
207.3
207.9
206.9
–
20.2

86.1
129.7
127.6
115.6
–
8.5

Total

1,657.5
842.5
929.1
840.9
–
70.8

(i)  Luo Zhaohui resigned as non-employee representative supervisor on 22 July 2020 and did not receive remuneration from the Company.

(ii)  Song Ping resigned as non-employee representative supervisor on 3 January 2020.

(iii)  The above remuneration was calculated based on the relevant employment period during the reporting period.

The aggregate amounts of emoluments paid to supervisors of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2019 are as 
follows:

Name

Jia Yuzeng
Shi Xiangming
Luo Zhaohui
Tang Yong
Han Bing
Huang Xin
Song Ping
Cao Qingyang
Wang Xiaoqing

Performance 
related 
bonuses

Basic 
salaries

Deferred 
payment 
included in 
salary income

Subtotal 
of salary 
income

Pension 
scheme 
contributions

Benefits 
in kind

RMB thousand

1,432.0
98.9
–
47.4
252.8
–
483.5
285.8
39.6

1,432.0
164.9
–
74.9
553.0
–
927.2
520.5
70.8

2,864.0
263.8
–
122.3
805.8
–
1,410.7
806.3
110.4

859.2
33.0
–
–
–
–
70.6
–
–

137.7
24.9
–
18.4
106.1
–
200.7
106.2
19.6

91.8
21.8
–
9.4
63.3
–
106.7
47.9
8.6

Deferred 
payment 
included 
in total

Actual paid 
included 
in total

859.2
33.0
–
–
–
–
70.6
–
–

2,234.3
277.5
–
150.1
975.2
–
1,647.5
960.4
138.6

Total

3,093.5
310.5
–
150.1
975.2
–
1,718.1
960.4
138.6

The compensation amounts disclosed above for these supervisors for the year ended 31 December 2019 were restated 
based on the finalised amounts determined during 2020.

The supervisors received the compensation amounts disclosed above during their term of office in 2020 and 2019.

243

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportChina Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43  DIRECTORS’, SUPERVISORS’, CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AND SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT’S REMUNERATION (continued)

(c)  Five highest paid individuals

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the five individuals whose emoluments were the highest in the Company include 
one director and one supervisor (2019: one director and one supervisor).

Details of the remuneration of the five highest paid individuals are as follows:

Basic salaries, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind
Pension scheme contributions

Total

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

2020

2019

RMB thousand

RMB thousand

7,317
431

7,748

14,125
459

14,584

Number of individuals
For the year ended 31 December

2020

2019

–
5
–
–
–

–
2
3
–
–

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2020,  no  emoluments  were  paid  by  the  Company  to  the  directors,  chief  executive, 
supervisors  or  any  of  the  five  highest  paid  individuals  as  an  inducement  to  join  or  upon  joining  the  Company  or 
compensation for loss of office as a director of any member of the Group or of any other office in connection with the 
management (2019: nil).

The emoluments of the five highest paid individuals are the total emoluments paid to them during the year.

There  was  no  arrangement  under  which  a  director,  chief  executive  or  supervisor  waived  or  agreed  to  waive  any 
remuneration during the year.

244

For the year ended 31 December 2020China Life Insurance Company Limited|Annual Report 2020|Financial ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office Address 

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

Telephone 

Website 

E-mail 

86-10-63633333 

www.e-chinalife.com 

ir@e-chinalife.com

: 

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