HONG KONG, Aug 30 Reuters Prudential PLC, posted a 3.6 rise in firsthalf operating profit on Wednesday, as the Asiafocused insurer benefited from a rebound in Chinese investors buying insurance products in Hong Kong, its key revenue centre.

As China ended its stringent zero COVID19 policy late last year and gradually removed border restrictions, mainland visitors have started to buy insurance again in the Asian financial hub.

Adjusted operating profit of the London and Hong Kong duallisted company was 1.46 billion for JanuaryJune, versus 1.41 billion in the same period a year earlier, it said in a statement.

Besides disclosing earnings, Prudential Chief Executive Anil Wadhwani, who joined the insurer in February, announced a strategy that included targeted investment in structural growth markets across Asia and Africa.

Prudential said it expects the strategy to generate 1520 compound annual growth in new business profit by 2027, and achieve doubledigit compound annual growth in operating free surplus in the same period.

Hong Konglisted shares of Prudential were up 0.6 after the earnings, compared to a 0.4 rise in the broader market.

Prudential39;s annualised premium equivalent APE sales, a closely watched gauge of insurance sales, rose 37 to 3 billion on a stronger pickup in sales from Chinese mainland visitors to Hong Kong.

Hong Kongbased insurers including Prudential and AIA Group benefited from Chinese investors rushing to buy Hong Kong insurance, as well as…