Top Biz News

MetLife chairman visits Beijing

By Song Hongmei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-24 14:36

MetLife Inc chairman, president and CEO Robert Henrikson arrived in Beijing on Saturday to attend the seventh International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Beijing.

MetLife chairman Robert Henrikson gestures during the launch ceremony of MetLife's joint venture in Shanghai, May 19, 2006. [chinadaily.com.cn]

This is the first time that Henrikson has visited China since he took office as chairman of the largest life insurer in the United States on April 25, 2006.

"China is a very important market for MetLife in the Asia-Pacific region," said Henrikson during the meeting in Beijing on Monday. He brought out suggestions over retirement and aging issues.

Since 2001, MetLife top officials have been honored as advisors to the mayor of Beijing and presented the advisory council with suggestions for Beijing's economic and social development. The council was established in 1999.

Henrikson, on behalf of MetLife Inc, will donate US$100,000 to the Central University of Finance and Economics and set up a MetLife Scholarship to award outstanding students.

Henrikson was in Shanghai on Friday for the launch of MetLife Inc's second Chinese joint venture (JV), United MetLife Insurance Co.