As Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping strolled side by side in Beijing, they casually chatted about life-prolonging organ transplants and the idea of living forever.
The exchange between the two world leaders was caught on a hot mic Wednesday as they joined North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in their first-ever joint public appearance. They were among a delegation of 27 world leaders attending a military parade in Beijing, which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Images from the historic moment show the trio walking down a red carpet in Tiananmen Square and vigorously shaking hands as they made small talk. Putin and Xi, who are both 72, specifically appeared to be discussing advancements in medicine and technology — and the subsequent impacts on life expectancy.
In video aired by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Xi mused in Mandarin that 70 years used to be considered a long life. After the remark was translated, Putin responded in Russian with a line from a Tang dynasty poem: “In the past, it used to be rare for someone to be older than 70 and these days they say that at 70 one’s still a child.”
“Biotechnology is continuously developing,” he added.
“Human organs can be continuously transplanted,” Putin’s translator relayed. “The longer you live, the younger you become, and (you can) even achieve immortality.”
Xi, who was by then off-camera, can then be heard saying, “Some have predicted that by the end of this century, humans could potentially live up to 150 years.”
Putin confirmed later in the day that he and Xi had discussed the subject ahead of the parade.
“I think when we went to the parade, the chairman talked about it,” Putin told reporters. “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.”
President Trump in response to the gathering, directly called out Xi on social media, writing, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
With News Wire Services
