TOPIC

/ people

Peng Liyuan

Peng Liyuan is a popular Chinese folk music and opera singer and the wife of Chinese president, Xi Jinping. A native of Yuncheng County, Shandong, Peng was a finalist at the First National TV Chinese Vocal Contest and is best known for works including People from Our Village and On the Plains of Hope.

Born

20 Nov 1962

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping

North Korea

Xi’s visit to North Korean war monument evokes ‘eternal historical memory’

Chinese and North Korean leaders recall ‘shared battles’ as tribute paid to Chinese People’s Volunteers who fought during Korean war.

9 Jun 2026 - 8:34PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Xi returns to exclusive Pyongyang guest house only a handful of leaders ever see

9 Jun 2026 - 10:30AMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Xi Jinping says China’s support for North Korea and Kim Jong-un is ‘unwavering’

8 Jun 2026 - 10:18PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

Crowds waving flags and carrying bouquets of flowers line the streets of the North Korean capital to welcome the Chinese leader.

8 Jun 2026 - 9:20PMvideocam

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un were accompanied by their wives, Peng Liyuan and Ri Sol-ju, at the events welcoming the Chinese leader. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing in search of trade deals, investments and greater market access in China.

29 May 2026 - 3:34PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi and Trump set sights on stability for China and the US – with a note of caution

A day of positive messaging and personal rapport includes an invitation to visit the White House in September.

15 May 2026 - 12:02AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

The toast, the tastes and the tech selfie that crowned the US-China summit

The Chinese and US presidents attend a glittering state banquet that combined Chinese and Western dishes.

14 May 2026 - 10:17PMvideocam

A toast to two countries at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Eric and Lara Trump – the new US first family faces making the trip to China

The American president’s wife may be absent but his son appears in the entourage in a ‘personal capacity’.

14 May 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

The message China wants to send by hosting Trump at Temple of Heaven

Beijing urges US president ‘to hold the line on peaceful coexistence’ as it prepares to host him at heritage site.

14 May 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | US first lady not travelling to China with Trump

Melania Trump skipping Beijing trip as US president heads to China alone for first state visit since 2017.

13 May 2026 - 10:29AMvideocam

US first lady Melania Trump and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan hold up Chinese calligraphy written by students at Banchang Primary School in Beijing on November 9, 2017. Photo: AP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Tea at the Forbidden City: how SCMP covered 2017 Xi-Trump meeting

Ahead of Trump’s Beijing trip this week, we look at how the South China Morning Post covered his last visit to China nine years ago.

13 May 2026 - 1:00AM

Donald Trump chats with Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. Photo: AP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

What to expect from this week’s Trump 2.0 visit to Beijing

Nearly a decade after his first-term visit, Trump returns to Beijing amid tensions over tariffs, Taiwan and tech rivalry.

11 May 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump sets new China visit date as Iran war stokes economic risks

The US president now plans to visit China in mid-May as the war on Iran hits his poll ratings and Chinese manufacturers.

26 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit: US announces new dates in May

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will also host Chinese leader in Washington later this year.

30 Mar 2026 - 11:59AMvideocam

The long-awaited meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15, the White House said on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

After The War | How an American family’s wartime bond with China brings the countries together

Daughter-in-law of Flying Tiger who taught in Fujian province sees lessons in ordinary people always finding ways to understand one another.

13 Dec 2025 - 10:00PM

Elyn MacInnis and her family share a bond with China that was forged during the second world war and now spans three generations. Photo: Xinhua

China-Asean relations

China rolls out red carpet as Thailand’s king makes first official visit

Beijing hails monarch’s ‘first major country’ trip since he ascended the throne in 2016.

13 Nov 2025 - 9:19PMvideocam

Brazil

Brazil’s first lady defends TikTok remarks at China state dinner hosted by Xi

Comments about safety of children uttered by ‘Janja’ da Silva broke diplomatic protocol and prompt official response from company.

20 May 2025 - 6:15AMvideocam

Greater Bay Area: News & Politics

China’s first lady calls on Macau students to embrace heritage, serve country

Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, is accompanying Chinese leader on visit to Macau to celebrate 25th anniversary of handover.

19 Dec 2024 - 9:43PM

Peng Liyuan talks to students at the Macau Museum. Photo: Xinhua

Malaysia

Malaysian king vows to work with China to keep peace in South China Sea

Monarch on Beijing trip says country ‘would like to join hands with China to contribute constructively’ to stability in resource-rich waters.

21 Sep 2024 - 3:50PMvideocam

US-China relations

Not quite Mar-a-Lago as Xi breaks the ice with Biden, 6 years after Trump summit

Business-like tone takes the place of warm family moments displayed during 2017 visit as Xi Jinping and Joe Biden hold first in-person talks in a year.

17 Nov 2023 - 2:53AMvideocam

Jiang Zemin

Opinion | History will be kind to the meticulous and curious Jiang Zemin

He was an unexpected choice as leader, and not especially popular among elites and intellectuals right after stepping down. But as more learn of his professional leadership and intellectual curiosity, Jiang is winning fans

6 Dec 2022 - 2:28PM

Mourners pay a last tribute to former Chinese president Jiang Zemin outside the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong on December 4. Photo: Elson Li

Diplomacy

Peng Liyuan joins diplomatic whirl in first overseas trip since pandemic

President Xi Jinping’s wife attended events held alongside last week’s G20 and Apec summits in what was seen as an effort to show a more friendly side of China.

21 Nov 2022 - 10:51PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan travelled to Indonesia and Thailand last week. Photo: EPA-EFE

Diplomacy

Chinese, Indonesian first ladies watch a folk music performance in Beijing

Peng Liyuan hosts her counterpart Iriana Joko Widodo during display of soft power, describing the nations as ‘important neighbours’ and saying ‘music knows no borders’.

27 Jul 2022 - 5:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Editorial | China-Japan relations require greater care

The absence of a Beijing official at the funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe was a telling reminder of the strained ties between the two countries

15 Jul 2022 - 11:18PMvideocam

Hong Kong at 25

A look at the unprecedented security blanket thrown around Hong Kong for Xi’s visit

All law enforcement agencies have been mobilised to protect Xi and his entourage during two-day visit to mark handover anniversary.

1 Jul 2022 - 1:29PM

All law enforcement agencies were mobilised for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong at 25

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan charms young Hong Kong opera performers

She watched Cantonese opera rehearsals and had ‘warm chats with the actors and members of the performance troupe’.

1 Jul 2022 - 12:13AM

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan (right) at the Xiqu Centre on Thursday. Photo: ISD

Hong Kong at 25

Lockdowns, a lion dance and red carpet: how Hong Kong welcomed Xi

Barricades deployed near Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai; officers patrol area ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival.

30 Jun 2022 - 11:48PMvideocam

Hong Kong at 25

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan to join Xi Jinping in Hong Kong this week

She is likely to visit the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera after arriving on Thursday, says government source.

29 Jun 2022 - 5:40PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Peng Liyuan

Xi’s visit to North Korean war monument evokes ‘eternal historical memory’

Chinese and North Korean leaders recall ‘shared battles’ as tribute paid to Chinese People’s Volunteers who fought during Korean war.

Xi returns to exclusive Pyongyang guest house only a handful of leaders ever see

Xi Jinping says China’s support for North Korea and Kim Jong-un is ‘unwavering’

Pyongyang rolls out the red carpet as Xi is welcomed with pomp and ceremony

Crowds waving flags and carrying bouquets of flowers line the streets of the North Korean capital to welcome the Chinese leader.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing in search of trade deals, investments and greater market access in China.

Xi and Trump set sights on stability for China and the US – with a note of caution

A day of positive messaging and personal rapport includes an invitation to visit the White House in September.

The toast, the tastes and the tech selfie that crowned the US-China summit

The Chinese and US presidents attend a glittering state banquet that combined Chinese and Western dishes.

Eric and Lara Trump – the new US first family faces making the trip to China

The American president’s wife may be absent but his son appears in the entourage in a ‘personal capacity’.

The message China wants to send by hosting Trump at Temple of Heaven

Beijing urges US president ‘to hold the line on peaceful coexistence’ as it prepares to host him at heritage site.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US first lady not travelling to China with Trump

Melania Trump skipping Beijing trip as US president heads to China alone for first state visit since 2017.

Tea at the Forbidden City: how SCMP covered 2017 Xi-Trump meeting

Ahead of Trump’s Beijing trip this week, we look at how the South China Morning Post covered his last visit to China nine years ago.

What to expect from this week’s Trump 2.0 visit to Beijing

Nearly a decade after his first-term visit, Trump returns to Beijing amid tensions over tariffs, Taiwan and tech rivalry.

Trump sets new China visit date as Iran war stokes economic risks

The US president now plans to visit China in mid-May as the war on Iran hits his poll ratings and Chinese manufacturers.

Trump-Xi summit: US announces new dates in May

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will also host Chinese leader in Washington later this year.

After The War | How an American family’s wartime bond with China brings the countries together

Daughter-in-law of Flying Tiger who taught in Fujian province sees lessons in ordinary people always finding ways to understand one another.

China rolls out red carpet as Thailand’s king makes first official visit

Beijing hails monarch’s ‘first major country’ trip since he ascended the throne in 2016.

Brazil’s first lady defends TikTok remarks at China state dinner hosted by Xi

Comments about safety of children uttered by ‘Janja’ da Silva broke diplomatic protocol and prompt official response from company.

China’s first lady calls on Macau students to embrace heritage, serve country

Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, is accompanying Chinese leader on visit to Macau to celebrate 25th anniversary of handover.

Malaysian king vows to work with China to keep peace in South China Sea

Monarch on Beijing trip says country ‘would like to join hands with China to contribute constructively’ to stability in resource-rich waters.

Not quite Mar-a-Lago as Xi breaks the ice with Biden, 6 years after Trump summit

Business-like tone takes the place of warm family moments displayed during 2017 visit as Xi Jinping and Joe Biden hold first in-person talks in a year.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | History will be kind to the meticulous and curious Jiang Zemin

He was an unexpected choice as leader, and not especially popular among elites and intellectuals right after stepping down. But as more learn of his professional leadership and intellectual curiosity, Jiang is winning fans

Peng Liyuan joins diplomatic whirl in first overseas trip since pandemic

President Xi Jinping’s wife attended events held alongside last week’s G20 and Apec summits in what was seen as an effort to show a more friendly side of China.

Chinese, Indonesian first ladies watch a folk music performance in Beijing

Peng Liyuan hosts her counterpart Iriana Joko Widodo during display of soft power, describing the nations as ‘important neighbours’ and saying ‘music knows no borders’.

Editorial | China-Japan relations require greater care

The absence of a Beijing official at the funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe was a telling reminder of the strained ties between the two countries

A look at the unprecedented security blanket thrown around Hong Kong for Xi’s visit

All law enforcement agencies have been mobilised to protect Xi and his entourage during two-day visit to mark handover anniversary.

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan charms young Hong Kong opera performers

She watched Cantonese opera rehearsals and had ‘warm chats with the actors and members of the performance troupe’.

Lockdowns, a lion dance and red carpet: how Hong Kong welcomed Xi

Barricades deployed near Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai; officers patrol area ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival.

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan to join Xi Jinping in Hong Kong this week

She is likely to visit the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera after arriving on Thursday, says government source.

Exclusive | US first lady not travelling to China with Trump

Opinion | History will be kind to the meticulous and curious Jiang Zemin