China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan Projects Glamour And Soft Power

Peng Liyuan is set to return to the international spotlight as she travels to Washington with President Xi Jinping this week for a White House visit hosted by Donald Trump.

White House visit schedule

Xi and Peng were invited to visit the White House by Trump in May, when the US leader was in Beijing.

They are expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, local time, to begin their three-day visit.

On Thursday, Xi and Peng will be welcomed at the White House with a State Floor arrival ceremony and a Rose Garden military review.

The formal reception will be followed by separate engagements for the leaders and their spouses.

Peng will visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art with Trump’s wife Melania, while the two presidents hold talks.

They will all gather that evening for a state dinner.

A visible role beside Xi

Peng, Xi Jinping’s wife, is a famous singer and an important presence as she accompanies her husband on state visits.

Her appearance in Washington places her again in a highly visible diplomatic setting, alongside ceremonies, museum diplomacy and the state dinner programme.

The visit also underscores how the role of China’s first lady is being projected on the world stage through glamour and soft power during major state engagements.

Source: South China Morning Post