China is investing heavily in biotechnology aimed at slowing aging and extending human life, blending ancient fascination with modern scientific pursuit. The effort, driven by both state initiatives and private ventures, has turned the country into a center of research on longevity medicine—an emerging field that straddles hope, commerce, and controversy.
The discussion gained attention after a microphone caught President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin joking about living to 150 years—or possibly forever—during a public event in Beijing. While many dismissed the remarks as casual banter, they resonated in China’s fast-growing longevity industry, where companies are already working to turn such visions into reality.
Among the most ambitious players is Lonvi Biosciences, a startup based in Shenzhen. The company’s scientists are developing pills derived from grapeseed extract, specifically a compound called procyanidin C1, which they claim can eliminate aging cells and protect healthy ones. Laboratory research on mice suggested a life extension of nearly 10 percent. Although these results have not been confirmed in large human trials, Lonvi executives express confidence that their approach could help people live beyond 100, perhaps reaching 120 years.
“We believe living to 150 is realistic,” said Lonvi’s chief technologist, Lyu Qinghua. He acknowledged that true immortality may remain out of reach but argued that progress in genetic research, biotechnology, and preventive medicine could soon eliminate many age-related diseases. Lonvi’s chief executive, Yip Tszho, described the company’s work as a new frontier in health science: “This is not just another supplement—it’s the goal humanity has pursued for thousands of years.”
China’s fascination with longevity has deep roots, dating back more than two millennia to Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who sent explorers across the empire in search of an elixir of life. Modern efforts have traded mysticism for research labs and investment funds. The government has funneled billions into biotechnology, creating new “longevity hospitals,” national institutes, and even proposals for “immortality islands”—wellness centers envisioned as hubs for medical monitoring, anti-aging treatments, and lifestyle programs.
At recent conferences in Shanghai and Chengdu, scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors gathered to promote the field. Some presented experimental technologies, such as cryogenic chambers and organ regeneration systems, while others marketed anti-aging creams and dietary supplements. International experts attending these events noted both rapid progress and uneven scientific rigor.
David Barzilai, an American physician and aging researcher, praised China’s growing commitment but cautioned that enthusiasm must be matched by accuracy and reproducibility. “Strong scientific intent does not guarantee success,” he said. “The challenge is not doing more research, but doing it better.”
Despite skepticism, interest among Chinese consumers is expanding. Rising income levels have made wellness and longevity priorities for millions. Companies like Time Pie in Shanghai, which once sold dietary supplements, now organize longevity conferences and publish lifestyle magazines devoted to aging well.
China’s average life expectancy reached 79 years in 2024—five years above the global average—reflecting gains in health care and living standards. Whether its latest ambitions can push that figure much higher remains uncertain, but the country’s pursuit of longevity reflects a broader goal: mastering biology itself to give future generations not just longer lives, but healthier ones.
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