Peng Liyuan: From music beauty to China's First Lady

Peng Liyuan was a famous folk and revolutionary music star in China when she was young, known as the "voice of the fairyland". She was also the first master of folk music in China, and the youngest major general of the arts in the country.

Ms. Peng Liyuan was born in Shandong Province, and joined the Chinese army at the age of 18. She is a soprano singer, often appearing in the annual Spring Festival Gala of the Chinese TV station, so her name is very familiar to the public.

Madame Peng Liyuan is also the first First Lady to have a prominent career with many achievements and build a beautiful image in the hearts of the public. When she was young, she was the beauty of the folk music industry, with a fresh appearance, big round eyes, and a face that exuded the aura of a star.

She is a typical representative and the first Master of contemporary Chinese folk music. She holds the title of Professor, is a Major General of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Director of the Military Arts Academy.

According to Xinhua News Agency, before marrying Xi Jinping in 1987 when he was the Deputy Mayor of Xiamen City, Peng Liyuan was already an idol to many people.

Ms. Peng Liyuan has received special attention from domestic and international media for her beauty, elegance, enthusiasm, and concern for community welfare. She was included in Forbes magazine's list of the 100 most powerful women in the world in 2013.

As her husband began to advance his political career, Peng gradually withdrew from the scene. Occasionally, she appeared on free music stages for the people. In middle age, Peng remained loyal to a simple, friendly style.

Chinese media considers Peng Liyuan's popularity as China's "soft power" because she has made great and positive contributions to the country's diplomacy.

In November 2022, returning to the diplomatic stage after a three-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while Xi Jinping attended a series of meetings at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, and the APEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Peng Liyuan attended many side events such as discussing ways to reduce poverty and protect the environment, ensure welfare and humanity, or treat and prevent tuberculosis and AIDS.

Previously, in June 2011, Ms. Peng Liyuan was appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and AIDS Prevention".

According to analysts, Ms. Peng Liyuan's diplomatic activities are a way to show a friendly aspect of China.

Dylan Loh, associate professor of foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said that "the issues that Peng Liyuan is involved in, such as women's empowerment, AIDS prevention, poverty reduction and environmental protection, are not controversial. Having a first lady play such a role also helps soften China's image."

In articles introducing Ms. Peng Liyuan in Western media, the most quoted quote is what a friend said about her, "has innate enthusiasm, and always wins people's hearts".

Not only is she active in diplomacy, the outfits that Ms. Peng Liyuan wears when traveling abroad with Mr. Xi Jinping are also highly appreciated by experts. They even call her "a master in the art of diplomatic fashion".

According to the British Telegraph, Peng Liyuan’s official wardrobe is a personal one, emphasizing knowledge, politeness, and balance. Notably, the exquisite outfits that Peng Liyuan chooses come from little-known Chinese designers.

"Peng Liyuan's dress code best represents the balance between femininity and assertiveness. She always dresses 'properly,'" said Leaf Greener, a Shanghai-based stylist and consultant who regularly sits front row at fashion shows in Paris.

Many Chinese politicians tend to wear clothes by foreign designers. However, through her outfits, Ms. Peng wanted to show her support for "Made in China" designers, as well as recreate the rich history of aesthetics and handicraft production in the country of a billion people.

"Most of the world's media views Mrs. Peng Liyuan in a positive light. This has helped improve China's image in the international arena," CNBC quoted Zhou Jiali, a researcher at China Foreign Affairs University.

The wife of President Xi Jinping was once listed by Vanity Fair as one of the best-dressed people in the world. She was also recognized by Porter magazine as one of the 100 incredible women for helping to bring Chinese designers to the forefront through the outfits she wore at events. With each appearance, Peng Liyuan's position on the list of style icons rises.

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