How First Lady Peng is setting new trend in diplomacy

Meanwhile, Peng is good at traditional Chinese calligraphy and Chinese folk songs. With her proficiency in music, she can transcend culture barriers easily to reach foreign friends’ inner heart and hence narrow down the psychological distance with them. Reuters reported that elegance, approachability and confidence that are hallmark of Peng’s international image also are the impressions that China wants to show to the world.

As an ambassador of many causes, Peng has spread love and hope to many places. Before becoming the first lady, she had been an active charity participant, and was chosen as the Goodwill Ambassador for tuberculosis and AIDS by the World Health Organization. She tried her best to perform the ambassador role and visited four continents within three years.

After President Xi was elected, she has continued to devote herself to public welfare activities. For example, she wrote letters to AIDS affected children to encourage them to be strong, paid visits to orphanages to play games with the children, and gave presents and consolation to mentally retarded children.  

As a virtuous housewife, Peng has a happy family and marriage. As one Chinese proverb says “Harmonious family can lead to the success of everything”, a state leader who has a happy family and marriage will more likely to obtain a favorable impression in people’s heart. Peng likes doing housework, cooking and shopping by herself. These characteristis show she always helps President Xi this way or that way. Also the intimate interactions between President Xi and Peng during several state visits show Xi loves her deeply. In a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, President Xi held an umbrella over Peng's head during as they walked down the plane stairs.

Peng’s performance in public diplomacy has paid off. In 2013, she was named one of the most influential 100 figures by Time Magazine, which described her as stylish and low-key. Forbes Magazine listed her as one of the most powerful 100 persons in 2013 and 2014 consecutively, and described her as having extraordinary charm.

Experts think that the successful examples of US first ladies-Obama Michelle and Jacqueline Kennedy-have shown that first lady diplomacy is an important supplement to presidential diplomacy. As China becomes more engaged with the global affairs, China needs an influential first lady like Peng to shape the international image. Fortunately, Peng has done a good job and we are looking forward to seeing more surprises.

The original blog is at: http://blog.chinadaily.com.cn/blog-1385215-28487.html