As China and Russia’s leaders walked shoulder to shoulder on Sept. 3, a hot mic captured them discussing increasing longevity through organ transplants, possibly living to 150 years old.
The moment came as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ascended the Tiananmen rostrum for the massive World War II military parade.
“Earlier, people rarely lived to 70, but these days at 70 you are still a child,” Xi said through a translator in Russian.
“As biotechnology advances, human organs can be continuously transplanted, allowing us to become younger and younger, perhaps even achieve immortality,” Putin replied through his interpreter in Mandarin, gesturing with his fingers as he spoke.
A laugh can be heard in the background as the feed cuts to a wide shot of Tiananmen Square.
“Predictions are that in this century, there’s a chance of living to 150,” Xi said off camera just before the audio faded.
Both Xi and Putin are 72 years old.
The conversation, livestreamed through Chinese state media to billions online and on television, made international headlines as China watchers scrutinized the implications, with many pointing to longstanding concerns about forced organ harvesting.
