The oldest man in China was born on August 9, 1887, and is now 121, claims the Gerontological Society of China.

Sadiq Sawut, a Kashgar resident in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is in poor health and relies upon others in his daily life, the society said when publishing the country's first list of the 10 oldest people on Monday, before the Seniors Day falls on Tuesday.

The society said in a press release it drew the list according to ages written in the residence registration, admitting "it is very difficult to verify the ages of the oldest people with primeval documents."

The oldest woman in China, Maikup Zhan, was born on June 15, 1890. She is a resident of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, the society said.

She is able to take care of herself in daily life, except that she needs help in bathing. She is lucid and has no difficulty in talking.

Six of the 10 oldest people live in Xinjiang, and the other four are in Gansu, Hainan, Henan and Hunan, respectively. Eight are from minority ethnic groups and only two are of the Han majority.

Only half of the oldest people are able to look after themselves at present.

The society attributed the longevity of these people to a peaceful and regular life, an amicable mind, family harmony and a good environment.

It also said the economic and social development of the country helped the people live long.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2008)