BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 3: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'SERGEY BOBYLEV / HOST PHOTO AGENCY RIA NOVOSTI / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) China's President Xi Jinping (C), North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (2nd R) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) arrive for a reception in the Great Hall of the People, following a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing on September 3, 2025. (Photo by Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A conversation captured by a hot microphone during a military parade in Beijing revealed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing organ transplants and the potential for humans to live up to 150 years. The moment occurred on March 15, 2024, as the leaders, alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attended a commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
The hot mic incident took place while the three leaders were walking toward the viewing platform at Tiananmen Square. State broadcaster CCTV, which provided live coverage of the parade, transmitted the conversation, garnering approximately 1.9 billion views online and over 400 million on television.
As they approached the platform, Putin’s translator was heard stating in Chinese, “Biotechnology is continuously developing,” followed by a mention of organ transplants and the idea of achieving immortality. In response, Xi commented that “some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.” While Kim smiled nearby, it remains unclear whether he was privy to the conversation as it unfolded.
Later, Putin confirmed the discussion when asked about it by reporters. He remarked, “I think when we went to the parade, the chairman talked about it. Modern means of health improvement, medical means, even surgical ones related to organ replacement, they allow humanity to hope that active life will continue differently than it does today.”
Neither China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor CCTV provided immediate comments regarding the incident, which has attracted significant attention.
Military Parade Highlights and International Context
As the event progressed, Xi addressed a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators, asserting that the world faces a choice between “peace or war.” He inspected various military assets, including hypersonic missiles and naval drones, emphasizing China’s military capabilities.
Putin’s visit to China began earlier in the week as he participated in a summit with over 20 leaders from non-Western nations, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this visit, Russia and China signed more than 20 agreements covering diverse topics, including energy and artificial intelligence. They also agreed to collaborate on a new gas pipeline, though details regarding financing and pricing remain undisclosed.
The discussions between Putin and Xi reflect a growing partnership between Russia and China, often seen as a counterbalance to Western influence. The implications of their conversations on biotechnology and human longevity, while speculative, underscore the ambitious narratives both leaders are promoting regarding the future of their nations and global health advancements.
As the international community continues to observe the developments in Sino-Russian relations, the implications of their collaboration in various sectors, including military and biotechnology, warrant close attention.
