Putin and Xi Discuss Organ Transplants During Military Parade

During a recent military parade in Beijing, a hot microphone captured Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing organ transplants and the intriguing notion of humans potentially living up to 150 years. This unexpected exchange occurred as the leaders walked alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the event that commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.

The moment was broadcast live by China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, and widely disseminated by other media outlets, including CGTN, the Associated Press, and Reuters. According to China’s radio and television administration, the coverage garnered an impressive 1.9 billion views online and reached over 400 million viewers on television.

As the leaders approached the Tiananmen rostrum to view the parade, Mr. Putin’s translator was heard commenting in Chinese, “Biotechnology is continuously developing.” Following a brief inaudible segment, the translator continued, “human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.” In response, Mr. Xi, although off-camera, remarked, “Some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.”

Mr. Kim appeared to be engaged during the conversation, smiling while looking towards Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi, though it remains unclear if he received a translation of their discussion. Notably, Mr. Putin’s voice was not discernible in the CCTV clip.

The Russian government has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this conversation. Additionally, requests for comments from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CCTV have gone unanswered.

As the event progressed, the broadcast shifted to a wide shot of Tiananmen Square, causing the audio to fade. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Xi, Mr. Putin, and Mr. Kim were visible again as they approached the viewing platform for the military display.

During the parade, Mr. Xi addressed a crowd of over 50,000 spectators, stating that the world is faced with a choice between “peace or war.” He inspected troops and showcased advanced military equipment, including hypersonic missiles and naval drones, emphasizing China’s military capabilities.

Mr. Putin arrived in China on March 3, 2024, for a summit organized by Beijing that convened over 20 leaders from non-Western nations, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this summit, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi signed more than 20 agreements covering a range of topics, from energy to artificial intelligence. They also agreed to construct a significant new gas pipeline, although specific financing details and gas pricing were not disclosed.

The combination of discussions on biotechnology and military displays highlights a complex interplay of diplomacy and technological ambition between these major world powers.