Manulife Financial has always been committed to international expansion and to Asian growth in particular. The company opened its first office in Asia just ten years after incorporation in 1887, even before entering the United States market. Increasingly, Manulife derives its growth and operating income from Asia.

Manulife's commitment to Asia is also demonstrated by the Company's ability to forge mutually beneficial relationships with business partners and political leadership across the region. Tangible results of this focus on Asia are clearly evident, resulting in the opening of the first joint venture company in China in 1996. Today Manulife-Sinochem is rapidly expanding across China and has been granted more city operating licenses than any other foreign insurer. 

Asian business expansion is supported at the highest levels of Manulife's management. Manulife Financial carefully evaluates each market it enters and makes a conscious decision to commit adequate resources to realize sustainable long-term growth and, over a reasonable time frame, desired returns.

Manulife's commitment to Asia extends into the local communities in which we operate. The Company makes it a priority to develop local staff for meaningful participation at all levels of operations, including management. Manulife also takes its responsibility as a good corporate citizen very seriously and regularly participates in activities of an educational and philanthropic nature in each territory of business in Asia.