Translated with AI
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of increasing life expectancy using modern technology before a military parade in Beijing. Excerpts of the conversation between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin were broadcast live as they walked up to Tiananmen Gate with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to the BBC, citing Bloomberg.
The conversation lasted less than a minute, occasionally interrupted, and only fragments were audible, Bloomberg notes.
In the recording, Xi Jinping can be heard saying "these days" and "70 years" in Chinese. (Putin and Xi are both 72 years old.)
The translator, apparently relaying his words, then said in Russian, "People used to rarely live to be 70, but now at 70 you're still a child."
Putin then made a comment that was not clearly audible on the broadcast. Afterward, a translator relayed Putin's words in Chinese: "Thanks to the development of biotechnology, human organs can be transplanted continuously, and people will be able to live younger and younger and even achieve immortality."
Another translator, into Korean, mentioned organ transplants.
Xi Jinping then spoke again in Chinese in his closing comments after the camera cut away: "Forecasts show that in this century there is a chance to live to 150."
At a press conference following his visit to China, Vladimir Putin confirmed that he had spoken with Xi about longevity.
"Modern health and medical treatments, even surgical procedures involving organ replacement, give humanity hope that active life will continue in ways different from today. The average age varies across countries, but life expectancy will nevertheless increase significantly," TASS quotes him as saying.
Xi Jinping, 72, has abolished presidential term limits and may run for a fourth term in 2027.
Putin, 72, who turns 73 in October, amended Russia's constitution to allow him to rule the country longer. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un, 41, took his daughter to Beijing, fueling rumors that he is grooming her to be his successor.
As Bloomberg notes, unplanned events like the accidental recording of conversations are rare in China. It's especially surprising that this happened during an event that had been meticulously prepared.
