1,400 residents pass 100-year milestone
2014-09-30 09:08 Shanghai Daily Web Editor: Qian Ruisha
Shanghai's oldest resident, 115-year-old Li Suqing (center), poses for a photograph at home yesterday, flanked by her daughter, Tian Yulan, 74, and son-in-law, Gong Jingfa, 76. — Zhang Suoqing
Shanghai now has more than 1,400 centenarians, with the city's oldest resident 115 years old.
This is thanks to healthy lifestyles, a sound medical system and care from their families, the Shanghai Gerontological Society said yesterday.
A total of 1,407 centenarians were registered in the city at the end of 2013, with 365 added as of June 30 this year, according to the society.
The society said it did not have a precise figure for the number of centenarians who have died this year, but that Shanghai has at least 1,400 centenarians.
While Shanghai's residents who reach the 100 milestone may differ in backgrounds, many share similarities, according to the society.
Most are broad-minded, even-tempered, not fussy about their food, don't smoke, get a good night's sleep and exercise regularly, according to society officials.
Typically, they live in harmonious relations with their families and are well looked after, said the society.
Genes are also a factor, it added.
Jing'an, Xuhui and Huangpu districts boast the largest number of centenarians per 100,000 people in the city.
"Downtown areas like Jing'an have higher percentages of centenarians because of better medical treatment, living conditions and diet, which offset factors like pollution," said Sun Pengbiao, secretary general of the society.
There were 9.8 centenarians per 100,000 people in Shanghai at the end of 2013, up 1 from 2012.
The city's oldest resident is 115-year-old Li Suqing. She lives with one of her daughters, a former nursing worker who cares for her, and son-in-law.
She has topped the list of "10 Shanghai Female Longevity Stars" for seven years.
Li, who likes playing with her 6-year-old great-grandson and watching television with him, swears by milk, eggs and walnut powder in her daily diet.
Meanwhile, Xu Renqing, a mere stripling at 104 years old, was named one of 10 Shanghai Male Longevity Stars at an awards ceremony.
"I have a good mindset and I am very happy today to be here, thanks to the government's care," the Xuhui resident said.
The former dye factory worker liked trading in shares and was still speculating on the stock market when he was 100.
Shanghai has one centenarian couple, Xu Yunxiang, 101, and Zhao Damei, 103, who live in a care home in the Pudong New Area.
They met when Xu was only 10 and married 11 years later.
The average life expectancy of Shanghainese is just under 82 years and six months — the highest in China.
Wang Chuanfu, former director of the Huadong Hospital and an expert in gerontology, gave tips on achieving longevity.
Seniors should eat mild foods — lots of vegetables and not too much salt, and take exercise every day, with 30 minutes of walking,
tai chi or swimming recommended, said Wang.
Smoking is a no-no, while a little wine is recommended, as is traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning.
An optimistic attitude and regular routine are the most important factors, Wang said.
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