A rare hot mic moment between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping has sparked global attention after the two leaders were overheard discussing biotechnology, organ transplants, and the possibility of humans living up to 150 years.
The conversation took place on Wednesday as Putin and Xi walked alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a military parade in Beijing. The event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and drew more than two dozen foreign dignitaries.
The exchange was picked up by state broadcaster CCTV’s livestream, which was later shared by other major outlets including CGTN, The Associated Press, and Reuters.
According to China’s National Radio and Television Administration, coverage of the parade was viewed nearly 1.9 billion times online and attracted an additional 400 million television viewers.
As the leaders approached the Tiananmen rostrum to watch the parade, Putin’s translator was heard in Chinese remarking, “Biotechnology is continuously developing.” The translator went on to say, “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even achieve immortality.”
Xi, speaking off camera, responded in Chinese: “Some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.”
While Kim Jong Un was seen smiling and looking in their direction, it was unclear if the discussion was being translated for him. Putin himself was not clearly heard speaking Russian in the recording.
For China, which has invested heavily in biotechnology in recent years, Xi’s comments align with the country’s push to position itself at the forefront of medical innovation. Russia has also shown increasing interest in biotechnology as part of its broader scientific research agenda.
