116-year-old Chinese woman world's oldest person: Xinhua

Asian Economic News, June 24, 2002

BEIJING, June 19 Kyodo

A 116-year-old Chinese woman in southwestern China has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest person, Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.

The Shanghai branch of the Guinness Book of World Records on Tuesday presented a certificate to Du Pinhua, who was born on April 22, 1886, in Leshan, Sichuan province, Xinhua said.

Xinhua said Du still has a quick mind, speaks clearly and has a sense of humor.

Du said she did not eat meat until she reached 110. She neither smokes nor drinks alcohol, but enjoys fruit and vegetables.

Du lives with her children but takes care of her personal chores such as combing her hair and dressing, Xinhua said.

A 114-year-old Japanese woman, Kamato Hongo, was believed to be world's oldest person following the death of American Maude Farris-Luse who died in March this year at the age of 115 years.