China was home to 58,789 centenarians at the end of June — up 4,600 on the same time last year, according to figures released yesterday.

Alimihan Seyiti

The oldest of China's 100-plus club is 128-yer-old Alimihan Seyiti from Shule County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said the Geriatric Society of China.

It is believed that she was born on the June 25, 1886, though her age is not officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, which has strict requirements on birth certificates to verify claims.

If confirmed, Seyiti would be the world's oldest person, beating the Guinness World Record set by Jeanne Calment of France, who was 122.

China's oldest couple are Ping Muhu and Zhang Xinniu, from Yuzhou City in central China's Henan Province, with a combined age of 215.

The study shows that women are far more likely than men to reach 100, with three quarters of China's centenarians female.

Rural life also seem conducive to longevity, as 70 percent of centenarians live in the countryside.

Southern tropical island province Hainan, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, also in southern China, and eastern province Anhui have the largest number of centenarians, the study found.

Li Bengong, director of the society, said people who achieve longevity usually like outdoor activities, are sociable and eat a healthy diet.

Areas with the most over-100s are usually characterized by a good environment and structured economic development, added Li.

Increases in the number of centenarians also reflect the general aging of China's population as health care and living standards improve.



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