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Xi and Putin heard on hot mic talking about how long science will extend the human life span

Xi and Putin heard on hot mic talking about how long science will extend the human life span
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and foreign leaders including Russia President Vladimir Putin, center left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center right, walk to Tiananmen Rostrum in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2025, ahead of a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender in Beijing. (Xinhua News Agency via AP)
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Updated 05 September 2025

Xi and Putin heard on hot mic talking about how long science will extend the human life span

Xi and Putin heard on hot mic talking about how long science will extend the human life span
  • “In a few decades, ... people will become younger and perhaps even achieve immortality,†Putin says
  • “Some predict that within this century, it may be possible ... may be able to live up to 150 years old,†Xi responds

BEIJING: Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russia President Vladimir Putin chatted about how advances in science could prolong the human life span in a rare hot mic moment in the Chinese capital.
The brief exchange was captured on a live news video feed of Xi and Putin as they walked on a red carpet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the head of a large cluster of high-level guests. The group was going toward the viewing platform for a major Chinese military parade on Wednesday.
Xi spoke first, and although only parts of his words can be made out, a translator followed in Russian: “Before it’s said to be very rare to live up to 70, and now it’s said that you are still a child at 70.â€
Putin, turning toward Xi, gesticulated with pointed fingers as he responded. Kim, on the other side of Xi, turned in to listen to both, breaking into an occasional smile.
The Russian president’s words are inaudible, but after he spoke, an interpreter can be heard translating what he said into Chinese.
“In a few decades, as biotechnology continues to develop, human organs will continue to be transplanted and people will become younger and perhaps even achieve immortality,†the interpreter said.

Xi appeared to break into a slight smile as the interpreter spoke, turning his head once to look at Putin briefly.
The live feed then switched to an overhead view of the viewing platform on historic Tiananmen Gate, but the audio from the walking leaders continued.
A voice that sounded like Xi said, “Some predict that within this century, it may be possible ... .â€
Then the audio paused briefly. When it came back, someone can be heard saying at much lower volume, †... may be able to live up to 150 years old.â€
The second phrase follows naturally from the first one in Chinese, but it’s not clear whether the second one is also Xi or someone else. A translator than said in Russian, “There are forecasts that in this world a person will live up to 100.â€
The feed was provided by the parade media center to international news agencies including The Associated Press.
Xi presided over a parade that marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The fighter jets, missiles and other military hardware were a display of strength intended in part to show the progress the country has made under Communist Party rule.
Later in the day, Putin said at a news conference that Xi had brought up life expectancy while they were walking to the parade.
“The chairman mentioned this,†he said, referring to the Chinese leader. He added that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had actively promoted the topic in the past.
“Modern health and medical technologies, surgical procedures connected with organ replacements and so on give humanity reason to hope that an active life can continue differently than now,†Putin said. “The average age varies across countries, of course, but life expectancy is significantly increasing.â€
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North Korea sends 5,000 construction troops to Russia: Seoul

Updated 4 sec ago

North Korea sends 5,000 construction troops to Russia: Seoul

North Korea sends 5,000 construction troops to Russia: Seoul
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been emboldened by the war in Ukraine
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun told reporters that “around 5,000 North Korean construction troops have been moving to Russia in phases since September

SEOUL: North Korea has sent about 5,000 construction troops to Russia since September to help with “infrastructure reconstruction,†a South Korean lawmaker said Tuesday after a briefing by Seoul’s spy agency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been emboldened by the war in Ukraine, securing critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun told reporters that “around 5,000 North Korean construction troops have been moving to Russia in phases since September and are expected to be mobilized for infrastructure reconstruction.â€
He added that “continued signs of training and personnel selection in preparation for additional troop deployments have been detected.â€
The spy agency told lawmakers that about 10,000 North Korean troops were estimated to be currently deployed near the Russia-Ukraine border, according to Lee.
At least 600 North Korean soldiers have died in the Ukraine war and thousands more sustained injuries, according to South Korean estimates.
Analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, and food and energy supplies from Russia in return for sending troops.
That has allowed it to sidestep tough international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programs that were once a crucial bargaining chip for the United States.

- US talks -

Since Kim’s 2019 summit with US President Donald Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearization and sanctions relief, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible†nuclear state.
Pyongyang did not respond to Trump’s offer to meet with Kim last week, and instead its Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui headed to Moscow, where she and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.
Lee said Seoul’s spy agency believes Kim was open to talks with Washington “and will seek contact when the conditions are in place.â€
Although the proposed meeting with Trump did not materialize, “multiple signs suggest†that Pyongyang “had been preparing behind the scenes for possible talks with the US,†said the lawmaker.
In September, Kim appeared alongside Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin at an elaborate military parade in Beijing — a striking display of his new, elevated status in global politics.
An international sanctions monitoring group, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, said in a report last month that North Korea was planning to send “40,000 laborers to Russia, including several delegations of IT workers.â€
Under UN sanctions, North Korean workers are prohibited from earning money abroad.