The oldest person in north China's Tianjin Municipality died peacefully at her home last Friday at the age of 111.

The aged lady surnamed Hou was commonly known as Run Houshi in accordance with age-old, traditional practice in China, as she was married to a man with the surname of Run. Her son, Run Shusen, said she had no illness before her death.

"She ate four little stuffed steamed buns at noon with a very good appetite," said Run. "Then I left for the hospital as I myself was ill. When I came back at about 4:00 pm, I found her lying in bed, feeling not so well. I immediately called the doctor, who checked her and said she was dying." And she passed away later that day.

Run Shusen has been living together with his mother ever since 1958 when Mrs. Run moved to the city of Tianjin from her hometown in east China's Shandong province. He noted that she had been in good health all her life.

Attributing the secret of her longevity as "being magnanimous", Run said his mother often smiled and was amiable and never quarreled with others.

Besides, his mother loved to move about and do much exercise, Run acknowledged. "She even went downstairs to have strolls or often chat with neighbors in her 100s."

Run said he plans to take the ashes of his mother back to their hometown in her native Shandong province after cremation.

After the passing of the old granny, the most senior person now living in Tianjin is also a female surnamed Zhou, who is currently110 years old.

According an earlier report, the oldest person believed living in China is a 117-year-old woman named Du Pinhua, who is dwelling in Leshan city in the southern part of southwest China's Sichuan province.

And a Japanese woman who just turned 116 this month is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person in the world with authenticated records.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2003)