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SHANGHAI--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Willis China, part ofWillis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, announced today that the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has granted it approval to open a new office in the megalopolis of Chongqing, a first for a foreign-owned broker and Willisa 21^st office in the country.

"vanguard of providing risk management solutions to help Asian clients mitigate new exposures"

With a population of 32 million spread over an area twice the size of Taiwan in central-west China, Chongqing is the world's biggest municipality. The mega city has a key location as an economic center on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River where its growth is fuelled by heavy industry and a mix of business from the life sciences, automotive, electronic, food and textile sectors.

Commenting on the new office, Willis China CEO Mitchell Ma said: aAs Chongqing, and indeed China, continue to grow at pace, so too do the risk management requirements of their commercial sectors. This move will enable us to be close to our clients and markets so that we can fully understand their challenges and provide them with the best quality services, backed by Willisa global resources.a

Ma added: aWe are proud to open an office in this very important city and appreciate the support that we have had from CIRC in approving our application. In return, we will do our best to bring added value and new services to Chongqing to play our part in the further development of the regional insurance market.a

For the fourth year running, Willis has been awarded a five star quality ranking by the CIRC Shanghai in 2011, and was also named aBroker of the Yeara at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards in Singapore in 2011 for being in the avanguard of providing risk management solutions to help Asian clients mitigate new exposuresa.

Willis a" which has by far the largest branch network of any international broker in China a" employs 330 Associates specialising in offering risk management and insurance services to medium- and large-sized enterprises in China, supported by the global resources of Willisa worldwide operations.

Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global insurance broker. Through its subsidiaries, Willis develops and delivers professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, with a global team of approximately 17,000 employees serving clients in virtually every part of the world. Additional information on Willis may be found at [ www.willis.com ].