Hot-mic moment: Xi and Putin talk longevity and organ transplants, internet erupts

Who wouldn’t want to be a fly on the wall when some of the world’s most powerful and controversial leaders huddle together? Turns out you don’t need wings. A hot mic can do the job just fine.That’s what happened in Beijing, where China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un were caught chatting as they strolled side by side toward a viewing platform at China’s massive military parade in Tiananmen Square.The event was meant to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, but the world saw something else: Beijing flexing its military muscle while parading its friendships with Moscow and Pyongyang.The moment unfolded right after a group photo of the 26 international leaders. As the trio led the way to their seats, microphones picked up snippets of their conversation. At the start, Xi can be heard telling Kim in Mandarin: “I’m also very happy. It’s been a long time since we last met.” Kim responds through a translator: it’s been six years since they last saw each other.A few steps later, Xi is heard again, saying: “Now people in their 70s are still young.” A Russian interpreter translates the line to Putin: “Earlier, people rarely lived past 70, but these days at 70 years… still a child.”Then came the surreal part. As they walked up a slope toward Tiananmen Gate, a Mandarin translator — apparently speaking for Putin — tells Xi: “In a few years, with the development of biotechnology, human organs can be constantly transplanted so that (people) can live younger and younger, and even become immortal.”Xi jumps in: “The prediction is that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.” The Russian interpreter repeats: “There are predictions that in our time, people will live up to 150 years.”It’s not every day you get world leaders caught in such a candid chat, and the leaked clips have sent netizens into overdrive.One user said, "This is exactly the kind of cartoon villain topic I expected these guys to talk about."A second user theorized that the two leader were mocking Trump, in the light of Trump's health speculations. They wrote, "My bet: Trump is madly demanding his doctors find a way to make him live another 70+ years..."A third user said, "If the West’s plan was just to “wait him out,” good luck."A fourth user said, "That's a complete nothingburger. You can hear similar casual conversations in any pub. All despots believe that they are going to live forever, regardless."Another user pointed towards a more sober direction. They said, "Wild how power always seems to circle back to chasing immortality."Later, Putin confirmed to reporters: “Modern means of healing, and medical means, all kinds of surgical means related to organ replacement, they allow humanity to hope that active life will continue not as it does today. The average age in different countries is different, but nevertheless, life expectancy will increase significantly.”