Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a rather unusual conversation about longevity, biotechnology, and even the possibility of immortality during Beijing’s grand military parade this week.
According to the AFP, the two leaders were captured by Chinese state television walking side by side with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
As they strolled down the red carpet, Xi was overheard remarking on age, saying in Mandarin: “These days… 70 years old,” before quoting a classical Chinese line about the rarity of living beyond 70 in ancient times.
Putin, according to the translator, responded with optimism about scientific progress: “With the development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted, people could get younger as they grow older, and may even become immortal.”
Xi, now 72 like his Russian counterpart, added that medical advancements could drastically extend human life. “Predictions are, in this century, it may be possible to live to 150 years old,” he said.
Putin later confirmed the exchange during a press briefing. “Ah, I think it was when we were going to the parade that the Chairman spoke about this,” he told reporters. “Modern means — both health improvement and medical means, and then even all kinds of surgical ones related to organ replacement — allow humanity to hope that active life will continue not as it does today.”
The conversation stood in contrast to the solemn military display, which featured China showcasing its military strength before thousands in attendance. The meeting of Xi, Putin, and Kim was widely seen as a symbolic show of unity amid strained relations with the West.
Xi, who scrapped presidential term limits in 2018 and secured a third term in 2023, has shown no indication of stepping aside. Putin, also 72, remains firmly in power in Russia despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
