Photo shows Chen Tianyu(陈天玉), a 101-year-old man who lives in Yuezhao Village, Yiliang County, under the jurisdiction of Kunming Prefecture. Yiliang has been ranted the title of "longevity town" known for producing long-living residents. [Photo/ Zhang Yue]
Located in the central part of Yunnan province, Yiliang County (under the jurisdiction Prefecture of Kunming) has been ranted the title of "longevity town" known for producing long-living residents.
Statistics show that 12 among the total 425,600 people in the county are centenarians as of March, 2011, accounting to 0.02% of the aging population. The twelve centenarians include eight women and four men living in different towns in Yiliang County. The eldest one Mrs. Fang is already 106 years old this year, which means that she has witnessed Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Republic of China (1912-1949) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in her life.
At present, the county has a total population of 425,600, and 59671 of them are over 60 years old. There were 898 elderly people aged from 90 to 99, and 7433 aged from 80 and 89 in Yiliang County, accounting for1.5% and 12.46% respectively of the aging population (over 60 years old).
Longevity Stars
Yang Guiying (杨桂英), a 102-year-old lady sits by her family portrait in Yiliang County, under the jurisdiction of Kunming Prefecture. Yiliang has been ranted the title of "longevity town" known for producing long-living residents. [Photo/ Zhang Yue]
102 year-old Yang
Born in May, 1910, Yang Guiying (杨桂英) is 102 years old now. When stepping into the living room of Yang, reporters found a plaque carved four characters "Song Bai Chang Qing" (evergreen pine). Wu Xingxi (吴星喜), her 74-year-old son-in-law said that Yang is in good healthy condition. She gets up at 7 a.m. every day and keeps a bowl of rice every meal. Taking a nap after lunch, she then walks around each rooms and goes to bed before 9 p.m.
"Nearly six years ago, she could do some needlework. She could also answer the phone with clear consciousness two years ago," said Wu Xingxi. He also said that his mother-in-law is almost a vegetarian. She seldom eats meat and never has mutton and beef. Depart from the decrease in hearing acuity and visual impairment, she is in good physical condition.
Photo shows a106-year-old Mrs. Fang who lives Yiliang County, under the jurisdiction of Kunming Prefecture. Yiliang has been ranted the title of "longevity town" known for producing long-living residents. [Photo/ Zhang Yue]
102 year-old Mrs Fang
Born in 1906, Ms Fangzhao is just a few moths younger than Aisin-Gioro Puyi Emperor, the last emperor in Qing Dynasty.
Her 65-year-old son gave up farm work and concentrated on taking care of Fangzhao. But she fell down by accident last year, which has had great influence on her physical condition. Later after the continuous nursing, she is getting better.
An official in Yiliang government said: "Fangzhao remains sober-minded. We visited her in this Spring Festival, and she looked invigorative." She likes eating crystal sugar and usually eats powdered ewe's milk, soy powder, cakes and easily digestive food as principal food.
101-year-old Liu
The neighbors of Liu Meizhi (刘美芝) who is 101-year-old , said that Liu can cook and looks after herself in her daily life.
When asked the secret of longevity, almost said: to be optimistic. Good attitude towards life and being tolerant and generous are guarantees of good health.
The altitude of most areas in Yiliang County ranks between 1,500 meters and 1,800 meters, which is of great help to improve sleep quality. The climate there is moderate with an average temperature of 16.3℃. The environment surrounding the city may contribute to its long-living residents; with the forest coverage rate of the city at 46.2%, Yiliang is abundant of water resources and geothermal resources.
In recent years, the aging people have been the high concerns of government in Yiliang County. Special subsidies, plaques of longevity, regular door-to-door physical examination and establishment of special archives have been provided to aging people. (Editor:Lynn)
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