Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the government airport Vnukovo II, outside Moscow, Russia, on Friday, March 22, 2013. Russia is Xi Jinping’s first foreign destination as China’s president. Xi’s talks with Putin on Friday are set to focus on oil and gas as China seeks to secure new energy resources to fuel its growing economy. AP/Ivan Sekretarev
BEIJING — New Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is emerging as Chinese diplomacy’s latest star.
A well-known performer on state television, the glamorous Peng featured prominently in Sunday’s state media coverage of President Xi Jinping’s activities in Russia. The visit is Xi’s first since assuming the presidency earlier this month.
The trip, which continues this week with stops in Tanzania, South Africa, and Congo, also marks Peng’s debut in her new role as first lady. Though known for her performances and volunteer work with the World Health Organization, Peng largely receded from public life after Xi was made heir-apparent in 2007.
Peng cuts a very different figure from past Chinese first ladies, who were mostly invisible at home and attracted little attention while accompanying their husbands on state visits abroad.