A SHENZHEN resident who was on business in Africa became the first customer of a local insurer to use the air rescue service, which has been in growing demand as an increasing number of Shenzhen residents travel overseas for sightseeing or business.

    The customer, who was identified only by his surname Zhang, developed a fever and chest tightness Feb. 9. Worrying he might be suffering from heart and lung diseases, Zhang reported his condition to AIA Shenzhen immediately. AIA Shenzhen used interntioanl SOS services to help Zhang, who was later transferred to an established hospital in Africa for intensive care. Suffering from a pulmonary edema, Zhang went into cardiac arrest during the transfer. Thanks to the timely rescue, Zhang regained counciousness and is now in stable condition, the hospital said March 6.

    The number of Chinese travelers using air rescue services has been growing in recent years as an increasing number of travelers go overseas.

    More than 122 million Chinese traveled overseas last year, up 4.3 percent from a year ago and the highest among all countries, according to official data.

    Seeing the demand, AIA Shenzhen began to offer global air rescue services to its VIP customers long before the service was ever actually used. To benefit more customers, the insurer offers those who spend at least 300,000 yuan (US$43,478) on its life insurance products an annual free international air rescue service.

    Insurer AIA Group Ltd. has expanded rapidly into key growth markets including China and India, leading to a quadrupling in the value of new business at AIA to US$2.8 billion between 2010 and November 2016, according to the company.

    (Liu Minxia)