Peng Liyuan in Washington: cultural soft power and meeting with Melania Trump

From music to fashion, through language and culture: Peng Liyuan is using the visit to Washington to offer a more informal and cultural image of China, in parallel with the talks between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. The Chinese first lady met with Melania Trump at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, where the two visited the Peacock Room and other rooms dedicated to Asian art.

Also attracting attention was the meeting with the students of the Hope Chinese School, who sang some Chinese songs, including Jasmine Flower. Peng followed the performance, singing softly and clapping, and encouraged the US children to continue studying Chinese language and culture, inviting them to become "ambassadors of friendship" between the two countries, Xinhua reported.

The visit, which lasted about 45 minutes, was also an opportunity to enhance the cultural ties between China and the USA. Peng expressed appreciation for the US return of Chinese cultural relics and hoped for greater cooperation in heritage protection.

The role of Peng, a former singer of the People's Liberation Army and a much more visible public figure than previous Chinese first ladies, has also been interpreted by the international press in terms of "soft power": a more personal and cultural dimension of diplomacy, particularly evident while the two presidents face tougher dossiers in bilateral relations.