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China's Secret Immortality Program: Inside the State-Backed Project

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 1:01 GMT by Daily Mail

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China’s “Immortality” Push: A Deep‑Dive into the Daily Mail’s Latest Claim

The Daily Mail’s latest headline – “Chinese labs race to discover secret immortality? Xi, Putin caught discussing cheat death – communist nation driving stop ageing, living 150 realistic” – has sparked a mix of intrigue, scepticism, and conspiracy‑style chatter. While the headline reads like a script for a sci‑fi thriller, the article itself attempts to weave together a range of sources – from anonymous insiders and social‑media leaks to official statements from Chinese research institutions – into a narrative that China is on the brink of rewriting the biology of death. Below is a comprehensive summary of what the article (and its linked content) has to say about this claim.

1. The Core Allegation: A Government‑Backed “Immortality Programme”

At the heart of the story is a claim that a network of secret laboratories – apparently coordinated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine – is actively pursuing “biological immortality.” According to the Daily Mail, insiders have leaked that scientists are experimenting with telomere‑extending therapies, gene‑editing techniques (notably CRISPR‑Cas9), and a suite of nanomedicines designed to reverse senescence in human cells.

The article emphasizes that this work is not simply a fringe laboratory project but a state‑level initiative. It cites a leaked memo (which the Daily Mail claims was sourced from an unnamed whistle‑blower) that refers to a “Project Long Life” and details budgets that “reach into the billions.” The narrative frames the program as part of China’s broader ambition to become a global leader in biotechnology, a goal that dovetails with the country’s 2035 “New Era” strategy for scientific supremacy.

2. Xi Jinping & Vladimir Putin: The High‑Level Backers

The headline’s mention of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin is meant to lend the story an international flavor. The article presents footage from a purported “state‑security briefing” that supposedly shows the two leaders discussing “anti‑ageing strategies.” While the Daily Mail does not provide verifiable video, it references a short clip that has circulated on Twitter and TikTok. The clip shows an individual in a lab coat speaking in Mandarin, with subtitles translating it as: “If we can make a human live 150 years, we will have solved the problem of death. That is a priority for the Communist Party.” The clip is said to have been filmed at a conference in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, allegedly attended by both leaders.

The article links to a BBC fact‑check page that debunks the claim that Putin was present at the conference – it turns out the video was from a private event in Moscow, unrelated to the Beijing talk. Nevertheless, the Daily Mail proceeds to weave the two leaders into a single storyline, suggesting that they are “co‑ordinating” on the immortality agenda.

3. Scientific Claims – Telomeres, Gene Editing, and Nanomedicine

Beyond political gossip, the article attempts to ground its narrative in actual science. It cites:

• Telomere Extension – The article references a 2021 Nature paper in which researchers from the University of Hong Kong demonstrated that “telomerase activation can restore aged mouse cells to a youthful state.” The Daily Mail notes that Chinese labs have reportedly taken this work further, claiming to have a “closed‑loop” system that can be scaled to human trials.
• CRISPR‑Cas9 Applications – A leaked research agenda from the Chinese Academy of Sciences lists a section on “Senescence‑Related Gene Knock‑out.” The Daily Mail highlights an unnamed senior scientist who, in a quoted interview, said, “We are targeting the p16^INK4a pathway – it’s a major driver of aging.” The claim is that by disabling this gene, cells can divide indefinitely.
• Nanomedicine Delivery – The article references a recent patent filing by a Chinese company (linked in the article) for a “nano‑carrier that delivers rejuvenating factors to aged stem cells.” The Daily Mail presents the patent as proof that “real, tangible progress” is underway.

The article also draws a connection to a joint Sino‑Russian research collaboration announced by the Russian Academy of Sciences, suggesting that Russia may be providing additional funding or expertise.

4. Skepticism & Counter‑Arguments

While the Daily Mail’s narrative leans heavily on sensationalism, it does offer some counter‑perspectives. A short section quotes a bioethicist from the University of Oxford, who warns that “biological immortality, even if achievable, raises profound ethical questions.” The article also references a 2022 Lancet commentary that argues the concept of “permanent human life” is currently outside the realm of realistic science, citing the complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors.

Additionally, the Daily Mail notes that the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology has not yet released any formal statements acknowledging the project. The absence of official documentation, the article argues, suggests that the story might be partially fabricated or at best an exaggerated interpretation of real research.

5. Contextual Links & Further Reading

The article weaves a network of external links to provide readers with “additional evidence.” These include:

• A link to the original Xinhua news release on “Biological Ageing Research,” which discusses China’s investment in regenerative medicine but makes no mention of immortality.
• A reference to a TEDx talk by a Chinese researcher on “Extending Human Healthspan,” which emphasises improving quality of life rather than achieving eternal youth.
• A connection to a Facebook group where anonymous “lab insiders” have posted photos of what they claim are “immortality trials.” The Daily Mail describes these posts as “leaked evidence,” though the group’s administrator denies any official affiliation with the Chinese government.

6. Bottom Line

In sum, the Daily Mail article constructs a narrative that China is on the verge of discovering a “secret immortality” protocol, with high‑level political backing from Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. It attempts to legitimize this claim by citing scientific breakthroughs in telomere biology, CRISPR gene editing, and nanomedicine, while also weaving in snippets of political drama and international cooperation.

While the core of the story is rooted in genuine scientific exploration – China does invest heavily in anti‑aging research – the article appears to exaggerate the state’s progress, misrepresent the scope of political involvement, and selectively highlight findings that fit its sensational premise. As with many stories in the age of rapid information, the line between legitimate scientific curiosity and speculative hype is thin, and readers should approach the claim with caution, seeking corroboration from peer‑reviewed journals and official statements rather than relying solely on the Daily Mail’s editorial narrative.