China last female Red Army veteran who enlisted at 14 celebrates 105th birthday in uniform

China’s last surviving female Red Army veteran has marked her 105th birthday, as her extraordinary wartime story stirred admiration across mainland social media.

On June 27, Wang Quanying, from Sichuan province in southwestern China, sat in a wheelchair in military uniform, her chest adorned with medals, as relatives, volunteers and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the milestone.

Although Wang never learned to read or write, local media said she could still sing Red Army songs from memory, had sharp eyesight and continued to do needlework.

She has attributed her longevity to “a positive mindset, a largely vegetarian diet, compassion and a willingness to do good”.

According to the national state broadcaster CCTV, Wang was born into a poor rural family, was orphaned at the age of one and raised by her uncle.