China forces Reuters to remove video of Putin–Xi exchange on longevity

China Central Television (CCTV) has demanded that Reuters remove a video of the Beijing parade showing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping allegedly discussing life extension and organ transplantation.

According to the agency, the official reason for the demand was a violation of broadcast rights. As a result, Reuters had to take down the video and notify its clients of the removal.

CCTV’s lawyers issued a requirement to destroy the four-minute recording.

The conversation was accidentally picked up by a microphone and broadcast live on CCTV, before being distributed by international agencies including Reuters and Associated Press. After the video gained wide popularity, CCTV revoked its license for use, stating that Reuters had violated the terms of the agreement and mishandled the material. In response, Reuters removed the video from its platforms and informed its clients to stop distributing it.

The content of the exchange sparked significant attention: Putin claimed that biotechnology was advancing, and organ transplantation could make it possible for people to grow younger or even achieve immortality. Xi Jinping, in turn, noted that some forecasts suggest people may live to 150 years within this century.

By Khagan Isayev