Ningxia, which has China's largest Moslem population, has 5.6 million people, one third of whom are Moslems.

The average lifespan of locals used to be only 35 owing to poor living conditions and public health facilities before the founding of New China in 1949. Life expectancy these days has climbed to 71 on average, according to a recent regional survey.

Nearly 87 percent of the centenarians live in rural areas and 86 percent of them are of Hui nationality. Females outnumber male centenarians.

Wang Yuhua, 102, said optimism, an open mind and good habits had helped her live longer.

Wang lives with her daughter. She walks down from the third floor every day with her daughter's help. She is not choosy about food but likes to drink tea with sugar, a common practice in Ningxia.

She gets up early and goes to bed early, doesn't smoke or drink alcohol and is content with her life.

(People's Daily May 18, 2002)