China’s Last Female Red Army Veteran Turns 105

Wang Quanying, identified by South China Morning Post as China’s last surviving female Red Army veteran, celebrated her 105th birthday on June 27 in Sichuan province. She sat in a wheelchair wearing a military uniform with medals while relatives, volunteers and well-wishers gathered for the occasion, the newspaper reported.

Wang enlisted in the Red Army at age 14 after being orphaned at one and raised by an uncle in a poor rural family, according to national broadcaster CCTV cited in the report.

Although she never learned to read or write, local media said she can still sing Red Army songs from memory, maintains sharp eyesight and continues needlework. Wang attributed her longevity to a positive mindset, a largely vegetarian diet, compassion and a willingness to do good.