China Censors Hot Mic Moment Between Xi and Putin: What Was Said?

China Didn't Want You to See This Video of Xi and Putin. So Reuters Deleted It On September 3, 2025, a bizarre conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping was caught on hot mic during a military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The news agency Reuters reported on and aired the footage, sparking widespread interest and discussion about the leaders' discussion on organ transplantation as a means of life extension. However, just two days later, Reuters made the unusual decision to remove the video from its website, retract it from its wire service, and erase clips from its social media feeds. The reason behind this sudden move was a takedown letter from China Central Television (CCTV), China's state-controlled television network, which had licensed footage of the event to Reuters. According to the letter, CCTV lawyer HE Danning wrote to Reuters on September 5, stating that "the editorial treatment applied to this material has resulted in a clear misrepresentation of the facts and statements contained within the licensed feed." Reuters subsequently complied with the request, removing the video from its platforms. The incident raises questions about censorship, media freedom, and the role of state-controlled networks in shaping public discourse. "This is a classic case of censorship," said Dr. Emily Chen, a media studies expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "When a news agency like Reuters is pressured to remove content, it sets a worrying precedent for the suppression of information." Background context reveals that CCTV has been accused of exerting influence over Chinese media outlets in the past. In 2022, a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlighted CCTV's "increasingly aggressive" efforts to control the narrative and silence dissenting voices. The conversation between Putin and Xi Jinping sparked intense interest due to its unusual nature. The two leaders were overheard discussing organ transplantation as a means of life extension, with some interpreting their comments as a veiled reference to China's alleged organ harvesting practices. As the incident unfolds, experts are weighing in on the implications for media freedom and public discourse. "This is not just about one video; it's about the broader struggle for truth and transparency," said Dr. Chen. "When governments exert control over information, they undermine the very foundations of democracy." The current status of the situation remains unclear, with Reuters refusing to comment on the matter beyond stating that it had complied with CCTV's request. As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: the incident has shed light on the complex dynamics between state-controlled media outlets and independent news agencies. Latest Developments On September 10, a group of human rights organizations issued a joint statement condemning CCTV's actions as "an egregious example of censorship" and calling for greater transparency in media operations. Reuters has faced criticism from journalists and media watchdogs over its decision to remove the video, with some accusing the agency of prioritizing access over accuracy. As the story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle between truth and censorship in the digital age. *Reporting by Theintercept.*