NANJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Rugao, a city renowned for the longevity of its residents in east China's Jiangsu Province, has registered a record 500 centenarians, local authorities said Wednesday.

This marked a yearly increase of 84 centenarians, according to the municipal working commission on aging.

With a population of about 1.42 million, the city has 16 centenarians aged 105 or older as of Jan. 1, 2020. The oldest is 110 years old.

Healthy eating and sleeping habits, as well as a favorable environment, are believed to have contributed to longevity in Rugao.

China has witnessed a rise in people's average life expectancy over the years, from 74.83 years in 2010 to 76.7 years in 2017, according to the National Health Commission.