Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Discuss Immortality and Organ Transplants Ahead of Military Parade

On Wednesday, prior to a significant military parade in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing the implications of organ transplants and the possibility of immortality. The conversation, captured by state media, took place while they were walking together alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a display seen as a direct challenge to the prevailing U.S.-led global order.

Xi reflected on the increasing age at which people can live, noting that at 70, individuals are often still viewed as young. Putin responded by referencing a classic poem from the Tang dynasty, implying that societal views on aging have evolved. He elaborated on the potential of biotechnology, suggesting that with the ability to continuously transplant human organs, the concept of people growing younger as they age could become a reality, while Xi mentioned that predictions indicate the possibility of living up to 150 years in this century.

Putin confirmed their discussion in a subsequent news conference, commenting on the advancements in health and medical technologies as a source of hope for extending active life. Their meeting with Kim Jong Un, in particular, marked a significant diplomatic episode, emphasizing their shared goal to reshape global governance.

Both leaders, along with their allies like Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, form what some analysts call an "Axis of Upheaval" against the established political order. Xi, in contrast to his predecessors who stepped down after a decade, abolished term limits in 2018 and secured a historic third term in 2023. Similarly, Putin has maneuvered himself to maintain his leadership position well into his advanced years, having recently been re-elected following widely criticized political procedures.

While China may have ambitions for medical growth, the country has faced scrutiny over its historically low organ donation rates and the issues surrounding the ethics of organ transplants, including the now-discredited practice of sourcing organs from executed prisoners.