Kathrine Frich
The moment was broadcast during the parade.
The moment was broadcast during the parade.
Open Mic Moment Between Putin and Xi
An unusual scene unfolded in Beijing when Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were caught talking with a microphone left open.
Their conversation, picked up live on state broadcaster CCTV, touched on biotechnology, organ transplants, and the possibility of people living to 150 years old.
Broadcast to Billions
The moment was broadcast during the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
According to Chinese regulators, coverage of the event was viewed 1.9 billion times online and more than 400 million times on television.
The reach turned an offhand remark into a global headline.
“Human Organs Can Be Transplanted Continuously”
As Putin and Xi walked toward the grandstand in Tiananmen Square, Putin’s translator was heard saying in Chinese:
“Biotechnology is constantly developing… Human organs can be transplanted continuously. The longer you live, the younger you become and (you can) even achieve immortality.”
Xi Responds on Human Longevity
Xi, speaking off camera, replied:
“Some predict that in this century people could live to be 150 years old.”
Both leaders, now in their seventies, appeared intrigued by the idea of radical advances in biotechnology. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen smiling nearby, though it was unclear if he followed the discussion.
Camera Cuts Away at Key Moment
As Xi began speaking, the broadcast abruptly switched to a wide shot of Tiananmen Square, and the audio faded.
Thirty seconds later, the three leaders reappeared on screen, walking together toward the viewing platform.
The sudden cut fueled speculation about how much of their conversation was meant to be heard.
Xi Warns of “Peace or War”
During the official parade, Xi addressed a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators.
He declared that the world faced a choice between “peace or war” as China displayed hypersonic missiles, naval drones, and other advanced weapons.
His speech underlined Beijing’s growing military confidence.
Putin’s State Visit and New Deals
Putin arrived in China days earlier for a major summit attended by more than 20 leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Russia and China signed over 20 agreements covering energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure, including a new gas pipeline project.
