Secret of a 96-year-old: Stay curious to live long and healthy
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Ding Shilin shows off his new electronics equipment. (Photos: People's Daily)

How can older people maintain a healthy life? Ding Shilin, 96, from Hangzhou, East China, said his secret to a long and healthy life is to stay curious and keep abreast with the times.

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Ding picks up his parcel at a self-service parcel pickup machine in Hangzhou, East China.

Ding has a passion for learning new things. He uses an online shopping platform and self-service parcel pickup machines everyday. His Taobao shopping cart is filled with new products of science and technology like a folding electric bicycle and aerophotography drones.

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Ding picks up his parcel at a self-service parcel pickup machine in Hangzhou, East China.

Ding sees himself as a hipster. "At the age of 96, I am full of curiosity about new things and live like a teenager, " Ding said. "Keeping pace with the times, accepting new things and catching up with new things is my outlook on life".

"He bought these model planes online," said Ding's wife Zhang Tingshu with a smile, pointing to a collection of drones. "When he got it, he flew them everywhere! His model plane flew over the Qiantang River and took aerial photos of the river at an altitude of over 200 meters. "

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Ding bought a karaoke machine and sings at home.

Ding once taught literature, history and music in middle school, and participated in the establishment of the Hangzhou choir. After retiring, he kept his interest in music and bought entertainment equipment online.

A home theater is one of Ding's entertainment devices. "To stay healthy, old people need to be exposed to new things and keep a learning attitude, " Ding said.

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Ding rides his electronnic bicycle.

When asked how he learned to operate electronic devices, Ding says: "I didn't learn. It's a game. Nobody taught me. If anyone doesn't know how to operate it, I want to teach others!"

(Compiled by Chi Jingyi)