Who is Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan?
When Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, much of the attention will be on the high-stakes talks between the leaders that are expected to focus on trade, technology, artificial intelligence, and the complicated relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
TL;DR
- Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is a former celebrated singer who has become a prominent figure in Chinese public diplomacy.
- She has accompanied Xi on numerous diplomatic trips, using her platform to advocate for causes such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS awareness, and girls' and women's education.
- Peng's public role represents a shift from the more reserved approach of previous Chinese leaders' wives, such as Zhuo Lin, Wang Yeping, and Liu Yongqing.
- Her public diplomacy efforts have included hosting Michelle Obama in 2014, a notable interaction that mirrored the American model of first lady diplomacy.
- Peng's background in the arts and her association with the People's Liberation Army Art Academy remain integral to her public identity.