First lady gives English speech at UN

China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, attends the Updated Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescent's Health on Saturday at the United Nations headquarters. Photo: IC China's first lady Peng Liyuan's English speeches on Saturday at the UN headquarters in New York shows that her new approach would enhance China's soft power, experts said. "In China, the Spring Bud Education Program has helped over three million girls return to school. Many of them have completed college and are doing well at work," said Peng, who delivered a speech in English at a high-level meeting of the Global Education First Initiative as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education. Also Saturday, Peng attended the opening ceremony of a high-level meeting of the "Every Woman, Every Child" global movement, as World Health Organization goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and at the invitation of UN chief Ban Ki-moon. She displayed her charm and pivotal diplomatic role when she delivered two speeches in English, experts added. Her UN speeches have attracted tremendous attention in China and generated lively discussions on social media. Her video has been viewed millions of times on Sina Weibo, while thousands of netizens praised her. "Gorgeous and elegant, Peng is absolutely the best name card for China," a netizen wrote on Sina Weibo. "Making a speech in English would strike a chord with people from other countries," Steven Dong, a professor from the Academy of Media and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China, told the Global Times. "Unlike previous Chinese first ladies, Peng, who is a famous folk singer in China, has become more prominent in Chinese diplomacy, which can improve China's global image," he said. Peng made her debut on the international stage as China's first lady when she accompanied her husband on his state visit to Russia in 2013. She has since developed her unique style of diplomacy as first lady, making use of her influence as a folk singer to participate in programs for public good and spark a fashion frenzy with her homegrown overcoat. Among her eight visits with Xi, she participated in at least 11 activities involving children or schools. Peng met children with AIDS at an adoption center during a visit to the Republic of Congo in 2013. As China's global status rapidly rises, to convey kindness and goodwill to the world by a first lady like Peng is indispensable, according to a blue book on Chinese diplomacy published by the Social Sciences Academic Press in April. Through her philanthropic efforts to promote women's education and HIV, Peng has become a focal point for Western media, and has therefore played a significant role in China's diplomacy, Steven Dong, a professor from the Academy of Media and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China, told the Global Times on Sunday. Peng has likewise showcased her other talents on several occasions, such as her knowledge of Chinese calligraphy and traditional embroidery. "Promoting the traditional arts and culture is a natural fit for Peng, which makes her quite unique among other first ladies," Dong added. Searches on Chinese e-commerce platforms for "Peng Liyuan style" currently yield hundreds of products, including coats, handbags and shoes, with prices ranging from 30 ($4.7) to 1,200 yuan.