Chinese investors represented by four consortiums appeared to be eyeing US insurance giant American International Group's (AIG) Asian unit AIA Group for possible acquisition following Britain's Prudential unsuccessful bid to takeover the insurance arm in June.

According to a Tuesday report by South China Morning Post, the investors sent feelers to AIG and the US Treasury Department for the supposed takeover bid and strongly indicated that they enjoy the strong support of Chinese insurers and banks.

The Hong Kong newspaper said that the consortiums were being led by Shan Weijan of the Pacific Alliance Group, with Zhang Songqiao of Hong Kong's CC Land Holdings, Guo Guangchang of Shanghai's Fosun Group and the fourth consortium composed of Taiwanese and Hong Kong investors.

The newspaper noted that all investors were respected business executives on their area of operations.

The Post reported that the consortium's move puzzled many economists as they wondered why seemingly too many Chinese investors are seeking to purchase AIA, with some analysts surmising that the group's active pursuit of AIA could compel Beijing to decide shortly whether to back one of the involved consortium or to prod the group to seek other investment vehicle.

Beijing Technology and Business School professor Wang Xujin told the Post that the investors' move could be linked to AIA's business standing in Asia and "as Chinese insurers are expanding and banks have the ambition to develop insurance business, AIA is proving to be a suitable target."

Prudential tried in vain to purchase AIA and even lured Hong Kong and Singaporean investors for planned shares issue in its attempt to raise a total of $US21 billion or $A23.95 billion to fund its aborted takeover bid, which had the makings of the largest takeover bid in the insurance industry.