UK insurer Aviva is tendering for two more licences to sell life assurance policies in China this year.

The venture backs growing evidence of UK insurers moving into the rapidly expanding insurance market of China.

Just two weeks ago the UK’s second-largest life insurer, Prudential, was awarded its eighth life insurance licence for China, while AIG has the same number.

Aviva already holds five Chinese city life assurance licences by joint venture with the country’s state-owned body, Cofco.