SHANGHAI, May 13 (AP) -- A south China woman said to be the oldest in the country -- and possibly the world -- has died of natural causes at age 119, a state-run newspaper reported.

Li Cairong, whose family reportedly was seeking recognition for her from the Guinness Book of World Records, was born Nov. 12, 1885 and died Tuesday, the Yangcheng Evening News said in a report seen Friday on Chinese news Web sites.

The Guinness Record Center, an agency for handling world record applications in China, said it was awaiting a response from Britain about Li's application when it received news of her death.

"It's a pity to learn she passed away. Now we have no idea how Britain will reply. We're just waiting," said Wu Xiaohong, a staffer at the center, run by the Liaoning Education Press in northeastern China.

In earlier reports, Li had said she hoped to be well enough to attend the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Chinese media reported that Li's birth date had been notarized and was thus considered official. But they list her age as 120, in keeping with the Chinese custom of considering a baby one year old at birth.

Li, who lived in a village near the city of Foshan, had cared for herself and helped feed the family's chickens, reports said.

They said she attributed her longevity to a regular diet and optimistic outlook.

According to the Web site of the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest surviving person in the world is Hendrikje Van Andel-Schipper, who was born in the Netherlands on June 29, 1890.

The oldest man is listed as Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, of Puerto Rico. He was born Aug. 21, 1891.