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Laizhou Awarded "Home of Longevity of China"

By Yuan Hao (China Daily Shandong Bureau)
Updated: 2009-05-25 18:44

Laizhou, a city in East China's Shandong province, has been named "Home of Longevity in China" by the Gerontological Society of China (GSC) in Beijing on May 22, becoming the tenth in the country and the first in northern China with such an honor.

By the end of 2008, the city was home to more than 81 centenarians, a ratio of 9.43 per 100, 000; and 26400 80-year or above elders, 3.1 percent of the total population.

After a strict investigation by the expert panel from the GSC in accordance with 15 indexes, Laizhou was considered to be up to the standard of the "Home of Longevity".

According to Zhao Baohua, the Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the GSC, Laizhou deserves this title with the biggest number of centenarians in northern China and most of the 15 indexes reaching above the standard.

Li Ming, mayor of Laizhou, revealed that his city, located in northwestern Shandong and the southern coast of the Bohai Gulf with a total area of 1878 square kilometers, has a time-honored tradition of longevity.

Since ancient times, Laizhou has owned the reputation of "the best in Qilu (Shandong) and the well-known around the world". People here have been benefited from a temperate climate, fertile soil, alongside clean water and fresh air.

Senior citizens in Laizhou are also optimistic, and have a peaceful mind and regular life. They prefer minor cereals, vegetables, fruits and sea food.

In recent years, Laizhou has launched the "Construction of Piety" focusing on "loving parents and respecting the elderly".

The systems of endowment insurance, medical insurance and social helping are also being constantly improved. Social security coverage of the whole city has reached 50.47 percent, while the basic medical insurance coverage has reached 19.05 percent.

About 53 million yuan has been invested on building rest homes and entertainment rooms for the elderly.

More than 2800 old people also enjoy subsistence security and social helping policies.