BEIJING, Sep. 15, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- The China Pacific (OOTC:CHNAQ) Insurance (Group) Co. (CPIC, 601601.SH) said on Tuesday that its life insurance premiums reached 44.5 billion yuan from January to August.

The insurer realized 23.9 billion yuan in property insurance premiums at the same time.

According a previous announcement, CPIC reported life and property insurance premiums of 49.4 billion yuan and 19.7 billion yuan respectively in the first eight months of last year.

CPIC is China's third largest life insurance company, after China Life Insurance Co. (NYSE:LFC) (LFC.NYSE, 601628.SH, 2628.HK) and Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China (601318.SH).

The insurer is also China's second largest property insurance company after PICC Property and Casualty Co. (OOTC:PPCCY) (2328.HK).

Carlyle Group now holds a 17.3 percent stake in the CPIC.