World's shortest man dies at 21 
BEIJING, March 16 -- He Pingping, the world's shortest man, has died in Rome aged 21. He who was just 74.6cm tall was born in 1988 in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism, and was officially recognized as the world's shortest man in 2008.
He was admitted to hospital two weeks ago after suffering a chest complaint and died on Saturday. However, his death has only just been announced. He Pingping was in the Italian capital to take part in the filming of a television program called The Record Show.
Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, who measured Pingping in Inner Mongolia to confirm his status as the world's smallest man, paid tribute to him.
"From the moment I laid on eyes on him I knew he was someone special - he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him. He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual," Glenday said.(Agencies/ Rob Welham/Xinhuanet))
He Pingping (L) of China gestures as Sultan Kosen of Turkey looks on as they pose for photographers during a promotional event in Istanbul January 14, 2010. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), are listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
He Pingping of China smiles as Sultan Kosen of Turkey rests his hands on He's shoulders during a promotional event in Istanbul January 14, 2010. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), are listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
He Pingping (L) of China looks up at Sultan Kosen of Turkey as they pose for photographers during a promotional event in Istanbul January 14, 2010. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), are listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
He Pingping (L) of China and Sultan Kosen of Turkey talk with members of the media during a promotional event in Istanbul January 14, 2010. He, with a height of 73 cm (2 feet 5 inch), and Kosen, with a height of 246.5 cm (8 feet 1 inch), are listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man and tallest man respectively..(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
