The Australian parent of Axa China Region yesterday asked the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to suspend trading in its subsidiary's shares amid rumours it might be about to buy out minority shareholders. Axa National Mutual Holdings, Australia's third-biggest insurer by market value, owns 74 per cent of Axa China. The remaining 26 per cent is in free float. A Hong Kong spokesman said Axa had asked for the suspension in share trading in order to 'review its position regarding Axa China Region' amid unusual trading volume and price rises. Paris-based Axa chief executive Claude Bebear last spring denied reports his company was pressuring National Mutual, which is 51 per cent controlled by Axa, into selling Axa China Region. Mr Bebear also denied reports Axa was only interested in National Mutual's mainland business and wanted to sell the rest. INSURANCE
