Open microphones captured a fascinating conversation between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin as the two leaders walked side by side to reach the platform from which they watched the military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on Wednesday (September 3).
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Specifically, their conversation focused on organ transplants and the possibility of humans living up to 150 years.
The moment was broadcast live by state television network CCTV to other media outlets, including China’s state broadcasters CGTN, AP, and Reuters.
As Putin and Xi walked toward the platform in Tiananmen Square where they watched the parade alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Putin’s interpreter could be heard saying in Chinese: “Biotechnology is constantly evolving.”
Hot-mic moment at the Beijing parade.
Xi: “People rarely lived past 70 before. Now at 70 you’re still a child.”
Putin: “With biotech, organs can be replaced endlessly… people could even reach immortality.”
Xi: “Some predict people might live to 150 this century.” pic.twitter.com/VRj02vkFxO
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 3, 2025
The interpreter added, after an inaudible segment, that “human organs can be transplanted continuously. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even achieve immortality.”
Responding, Xi, who was off-camera, could be heard replying in Chinese: “Some predict that in this century, people might live up to 150 years.”
As Xi began speaking, the video cut away to a shot of Tiananmen Square and the audio was muted.
Just over 30 seconds later, Xi, Putin, and Kim reappeared on camera as they walked up the steps toward the parade viewing platform.
Kim was smiling and looking toward Putin and Xi, but it wasn’t clear if the conversation was being translated for him. Putin could not be heard speaking clearly in Russian in the CCTV footage.
