Hainan promotes long life, experts say  

海南老人多长寿每10万人中有13位年过百岁

海南省常务副省长谭力在第二届人口老龄化长寿化国际研讨会透露，海南现已有1162位百岁以上老人，每10万人中就有13位百岁老人，远高于国际通行的每10万人中7位百岁老人的长寿标准。其中，60岁以上的老年人口已达98.2万人，占总人口11.33%。

Chengmai (CNS) – Experts claimed at a meeting Thursday in Hainan's Chengmai County that old people benefit from the island province's good environment.

Hainan has 1,162 centenarians, a rate of 13 for every 10,000 people, which is higher than the international standard, Tan Li, the provincial vice-governor, said during the meeting.

Chengmai County tops the whole province with an even higher rate of 38 centenarians for every 10,000 people, he added.

Many factors contribute to longevity, including habits, heredity, environment and medical care, according to Wang Wuyi, an expert from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research.

With its high forest rate and relatively lower soil pollution, Hainan produces rice rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium and other trace elements and has natural alkaline drinking water, which are all good for health, Wang said.