Chinese First Lady, a diplomatic star

CHINA: Glamorous new first lady Peng Liyuan has emerged as a Chinese diplomatic star, charming audiences and cutting a distinct profile from her all-but-invisible predecessors on her debut official trip abroad.

Peng was featured prominently in Sunday’s Chinese media coverage of her husband President Xi Jinping in Russia on his first state visit since he assumed the presidency earlier in March.

A celebrated performer on state television, Peng watched song-and-dance routines at a performing arts school on Saturday, but did not join in as some media reports had suggested she might.

The couple arrived in Tanzania later on Sunday, and their trip also includes stops in South Africa and Congo.

An internationally popular first lady could help soften China’s sometimes abrasive international image and mark a victory in its so-far unsuccessful struggle to win over global public opinion.

At the same time, she could boost the popularity of the country’s new leadership at a time when citizens are feeling increasingly alienated and are fed up with the ruling class’s corruption and regal airs.

In recent years, the wives of China’s top officials have traditionally gone almost unseen at home and attracted little attention while accompanying their husbands on state visits.

Deccan Herald