BEIJING: During a military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, a hot mic captured Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing advancements in biotechnology and the potential for human longevity. The conversation occurred as they walked alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toward the Tiananmen rostrum, joined by over two dozen foreign leaders.
Biotechnology and Longevity
The moment was broadcast via a livestream by state broadcaster CCTV, viewed 1.9 billion times online and by over 400 million on television, according to China’s radio and TV administration. Outlets like CGTN, AP, and Reuters carried the feed. As Putin and Xi approached the viewing platform, Putin’s translator was overheard saying in Chinese, “Biotechnology is continuously advancing.” After an inaudible segment, the translator added, “Human organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you may even achieve immortality.
Xi, off-camera, responded in Chinese, “Some predict humans could live to 150 years in this century.” Kim Jong Un, smiling and glancing at them, may not have had the conversation translated for him, as Putin’s Russian speech was unclear in the clip. The video soon cut to a wide shot of Tiananmen Square, with the audio fading.
The Russian government, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and CCTV did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. About 30 seconds later, Xi, Putin, and Kim reappeared on camera, ascending steps to the parade’s viewing platform.
At the event, Xi addressed over 50,000 spectators, emphasizing a global choice between “peace or war” while inspecting advanced military technology, including hypersonic missiles and naval drones. Putin, who arrived in China on Sunday for a Beijing-hosted summit with over 20 non-Western leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signed over 20 agreements with Xi on energy, artificial intelligence, and a new gas pipeline, though details on financing and pricing remain undisclosed.
