Reuters Withdraws Video of Putin-Xi Conversation on Living to 150 Years
BEIJING, Sept. 6, 2025 - The Reuters news agency has removed a video showing an exchange between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing organ transplants and the possibility of humans living up to 150 years after China Central Television (CCTV) withdrew permission for its use.
The video was recorded on August 31, 2025, during a meeting in Tianjin, China, where Putin and Xi were overheard talking about the potential for humans to live longer lives through medical advancements. The conversation was picked up by a live microphone and sparked interest globally.
According to Reuters, CCTV's legal team sent a written request stating that the news agency had exceeded the usage terms of its agreement with CCTV and criticized the editorial treatment applied to the material. In response, Reuters removed the footage from its website on Friday.
"We respect the wishes of our partners in China and have removed the video from our site," said a Reuters spokesperson. "We strive to provide accurate and unbiased reporting, but we also recognize the importance of respecting local laws and regulations."
The conversation between Putin and Xi has sparked debate about the potential for medical advancements and the implications for society. Some experts believe that breakthroughs in organ transplants and regenerative medicine could lead to significant increases in human lifespan.
"This is a fascinating area of research, but it's also complex and raises many questions," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a biotechnologist at Harvard University. "If humans were able to live up to 150 years, what would be the social and economic implications? How would we adapt our societies to accommodate such long lifespans?"
The conversation between Putin and Xi has also raised questions about the potential for China and Russia to collaborate on medical research and development.
"China and Russia have a long history of cooperation in science and technology," said Dr. Sergei Ivanov, a Russian expert on Sino-Russian relations. "This conversation suggests that they may be exploring new areas of collaboration, including medical research."
As the world waits for further developments, it remains to be seen how this conversation will impact global health and medicine.
Background:
The conversation between Putin and Xi was recorded during a meeting in Tianjin, China, where the two leaders were discussing various issues, including trade and security. The conversation was picked up by a live microphone and sparked interest globally.
Additional Perspectives:
Dr. Rachel Kim, biotechnologist at Harvard University: "This is a fascinating area of research, but it's also complex and raises many questions."
Dr. Sergei Ivanov, Russian expert on Sino-Russian relations: "China and Russia have a long history of cooperation in science and technology."
Current Status and Next Developments:
The conversation between Putin and Xi has sparked debate about the potential for medical advancements and the implications for society. As the world waits for further developments, it remains to be seen how this conversation will impact global health and medicine.
Reuters has removed the video from its website, but the conversation continues to spark interest globally. As China and Russia explore new areas of collaboration, including medical research, the world watches with bated breath for what's next.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*