Unlike her predecessors who mostly kept a low profile, China’s first lady Peng Liyuan has been in the spotlight since her husband Xi Jinping became president. Peng made a name for herself as a popular Chinese folk music and opera singer. She now serves multiple international roles, including as the World Health Organisation’s goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and Aids, and plays a pivotal role in polishing Beijing’s image abroad through “soft power”.
