Xi Putin Kim Talk Longevity at Tiananmen Parade

Xi, Putin, and Kim Share Historic Moment, Discuss Longevity Amid Tiananmen Parade

Historic images captured Chinese President Xi Jinping shaking hands and walking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a grand parade at Tiananmen Square, in what observers saw as a subtle challenge to US President Donald Trump.

Footage from China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi speaking in Mandarin as the trio strolled down the red carpet. “These days… 70 years old,” Xi said, a remark then translated for Putin in Russian, quoting a Tang dynasty poem: “In the past, it used to be rare for someone to be older than 70, and these days they say that at 70 one’s still a child.”

Putin responded, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. His remarks were translated back to Xi, reportedly touching on the possibilities of modern science: “With the development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted. People could get younger as they grow older, and may even become immortal,” the translator said.

Xi added, speaking in Mandarin, “Predictions are, in this century, it may be… possible to live to 150 years old.”

Putin later confirmed the exchange during a press briefing, noting, “Ah, I think it was when we were going to the parade that the Chairman spoke about this. Modern means — both health improvement and medical means, and then even all kinds of surgical ones related to organ replacement — allow humanity to hope that active life will continue not as it does today.”

Both Xi and Putin, who are 72, have shown no signs of stepping down. Xi, who abolished presidential term limits in 2018, was recently granted a third term, in contrast to his predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, who both stepped down after a decade in office.