Rising life expectancy in Shanghai sets record

Beijing -  The average life expectancy at birth in China's Shanghai city has reached 82.51 years, a new national record achieved by the city in 2011, the Shanghai health bureau announced Monday.

Life expectancy in the city has been steadily climbing from 81.73 in 2009 to 82.13 in 2010 and to 82.51 last year, the Shanghai Daily reported.

The city's maternal mortality rate, meanwhile, is falling from 9.61 per 100,000 in 2010 to 7.36 per 100,000 in 2011, on par with that of developed countries, it added.

The infant mortality rate also dropped to 5.70 per 1,000 from 5.97 in 2010 and 6.58 in 2009 due to improved health care, wider coverage of health education and more awareness of prenatal care.

Life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality rates are the three main indicators of the level of medical services and people's living standard.

"Shanghai equals the developed countries and regions in all these indicators," said Song Guofan, a bureau official, who underlined the city's improved healthcare services, continuing health reform, and better medical capabilities.