In China, social media restricts search for '150 years' after Xi-Putin talks
Photo: Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
After Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed living to 150 years, the Chinese social media platform Weibo censored searches for the term "150 years", The Washington Post reports.
According to the outlet, following the incident, searches for "150 years" were restricted on Weibo, one of China’s most popular social media platforms. At the same time, posts about living to such an age surged on other Chinese platforms on Wednesday and Thursday after the "conversation was captured on a hot microphone and broadcast through Chinese state media".
One company even used the trend to promote its medical services.
The idea of living to 150 years has previously appeared in Chinese state media, which speculated about advances in healthcare and technology.
Background
During a military parade in Beijing, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discussed human longevity and the possibility of living to 150 years. Their exchange was captured on a hot microphone.
Xi noted that in the past, people rarely lived to 70, while today that age is considered only childhood. Putin responded that modern technologies and organ transplantation could allow people to live longer, look younger, and even approach "immortality."
The Chinese leader added that some experts predict life expectancy could reach 150 years within this century.
