PartnerRe is to open a "non-income generating" representative office in Beijing having received approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.

The company said the Beijing office will serve as a liaison point for the Chinese market.

Andrew Mak, who has served the Asian and Chinese market for PartnerRe during the past nine years, has been appointed Chief Representative for the Beijing office.

PartnerRe president & CEO Patrick Thiele said: "This is an exciting development for PartnerRe.

"This approval adds an important new facet in the strategic positioning and long-term presence we have developed in Asia over the last decade.

"A representative office in Beijing allows us to build on that platform."