(Yicai Global) Nov. 13 -- China's insurers are likely to retain double-digit premium income growth next year, according to a former vice chief of the nation's main insurance regulator. 

Insurers' premium income will reach a figure between CNY4.5 trillion and CNY4.7 trillion (up to USD669.8 billion) this year, Zhou Yanli, who used to serve the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, said at a conference today. 

In the first three quarters, China's insurance companies boosted such income by 12.6 percent to CNY3.45 trillion from a year ago. 

The sector's total assets are expected to exceed CNY20.8 trillion this year, Zhou added.

Editor: Emmi Laine