The comments came Wednesday as Xi and Putin appeared publicly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. China’s state-run CCTV provided a live feed of the parade, which was shared with international outlets.
Putin, speaking through a Mandarin translator, told Xi that repeated organ transplants could allow people to “get younger and younger” and suggested that aging might be staved off “indefinitely.” In response, Xi said, “Some have predicted that by the end of this century, humans could potentially live up to 150 years," reports NBC News.
Kim, who sat alongside the two older leaders, was seen smiling as the exchange took place.
While the comments appeared informal, they have gained attention as both Xi and Putin have made constitutional changes to remain in power for extended periods.
Xi secured a third term in 2023 after removing presidential term limits in 2018. He has offered no indication of a potential successor. Putin, who has alternated between president and prime minister since 2000, pushed through a 2020 referendum allowing him to stay in office until 2036.
The three leaders’ joint appearance in Beijing was their first at a public event together and included delegations from 27 countries. The hot mic remarks underscored not only the personal longevity of Xi and Putin’s rule but also the symbolic alliance of China, Russia, and North Korea as they presented a united front against the West.
Advances in organ transplantation, stem cell research, and experimental xenotransplants using genetically altered animals have expanded treatment options for critical patients. There is no evidence though that such methods could allow humans to live to 150 years. Medical experts generally estimate the upper limit of human life expectancy at around 120 years of age.
The comments from Xi and Putin were not part of their official remarks and have not been addressed by the leaders.
