Peng Liyuan uses soft power during visit to the U.S.
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, acted as a key piece of soft power during her visit to Washington. She conversed in English with Melania Trump and interacted with children at a cultural event. However, coverage in China remains limited.
China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, emerged as a central figure of soft power during President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Estados Unidos. At a time of bilateral tensions over trade and Taiwan, Peng has projected a more gentle and accessible image of the Asian country, observers point out.
On Thursday, she visited the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, where she spoke with the American first lady, Melania Trump, in English, without the help of a translator. The gesture, simple but symbolic, reinforced his diplomatic skill in a high-level environment.
Cultural Diplomacy in Washington
During the event, a children's choir performed the Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower". Peng sang low together, displaying a natural glamour in a modern version of a traditional Chinese costume. In the end, the children called her “Mother Peng” and thanked her, a moment that quickly circulated in the nets.
China’s ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, highlighted her diplomatic role in the X, posting a video of Peng applauding the presentation. The publication reinforced the narrative of a culturally rich and open China to dialogue, even amid geopolitical disputes.
Soft power as a state tool
Soft power is the ability of a country to influence others through its culture, values, diplomacy and international image, without directly resorting to military force or economic pressure. Elements such as music, film, universities, sport, humanitarian aid and diplomatic relations can be used to increase a country's influence abroad.
On Xi Jinping’s trip to Washington, Peng Liyuan acted as his “superweapon” of soft power, projecting a more friendly image of China. The strategy seeks to offset tensions in areas such as trade and the Taiwan issue, which dominate the official agenda.
Discreet profile and artistic trajectory
Peng is vice president of the Chinese Federation of Literature and Art and one of the contemporary representatives of ethnic vocal music. Before becoming First Lady, she was best known in China as an Army soprano. As Xi rose to power in the early 2000s, the Chinese media became more free to cover her activities.
From humble origins, Peng has advocated for complex social causes, such as those of people living with HIV/AIDS. She also described Xi as moderate, hard-working and with his feet on the ground, in past statements. Peng is Xi's second wife, and the two have a daughter who studied at Harvard.
History of caution with first ladies
The wives of leading Chinese leaders have traditionally maintained a discreet profile in recent decades. This behavior dates back to the experience of Jiang Qing, widow of the founder of Communist China, Mao Tse-Tung. Jiang led the infamous “Gang of Four” that wielded supreme power during the Cultural Revolution.
Jiang received a suspended death sentence in 1981 for the deaths of tens of thousands of people during that period of chaos. The Cultural Revolution was a political campaign launched by Mao Zedong in China in 1966, which persecuted opponents and provoked purges, violence, and attacks on cultural institutions.
Limited impact in China
Despite the international prominence, discussions on Chinese social networks about Peng’s fashion activities and choices during the trip remain quite limited. This underscores the sensitivity to public discussion about the personal lives of the country’s top leaders.
Research on his fashion style and English skills on the popular Chinese Red Note platform has not generated results. China's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Peng's reception in Washington, leaving official coverage without further details.
Cultural exchange and next steps
At another time of the visit, Peng Liyuan expressed his gratitude for the repeated return of Chinese cultural relics by Estados Unidos to China in recent years. She expressed the hope that the two nations will continue to strengthen cultural exchanges, signaling a path of cooperation even in times of friction.
Peng’s performance in Washington illustrates how cultural diplomacy can open channels of communication when formal dialogues face obstacles. For the American public, the image of an accessible and talented first lady can soften perceptions about China. It remains to be seen whether this effort will have lasting effects on bilateral relations.
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