The average life expectancy of Beijingers is expected to reach 80 years old by 2010 as the health of local people is improving steadily, according to local health authorities.

The death rate of infants will be lower than six per thousand and the death rate of pregnant women and lying-in women will be lower than 15 per 100,000 by 2010, said an official with the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau.

The official said that in the next five years, Beijing would establish three systems respectively covering medical service, health care and prevention of diseases, and hygiene supervision for the purpose of providing better medical and health care services for locals.

The average life span of Beijingers was 79.80 years old last year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2006)