Peng Liyuan: China's first lady and Xi Jinping's wife
Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan has arrived in Washington with President Xi Jinping for a state visit, marking their first joint trip to the U.S. capital in 11 years. She is scheduled to tour the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art with Melania Trump before joining the state banquet. Peng, a former celebrated soprano with the People's Liberation Army, is known domestically as "Mama Peng." Since 2013, she has accompanied Xi abroad as a soft-power figure, promoting health, social welfare, and cultural exchanges, contrasting with more reserved predecessors. Her international debut came during a 2013 Russia trip. In 2015, she duetted with R&B singer Ne-Yo at a White House dinner hosted by Michelle Obama, and in 2017 she guided the Trumps through Beijing's Forbidden City.